True Love, More Than a Feeling

What do you think about love? 

For me, Love has been a prevailing thought through this last decade. While continuing to ponder Love yesterday, I heard the phrase “More than a feeling” from the old Boston song. 

Love, the way most people define it, is an emotion of warm feelings one person has towards another person or thing. I agree, that is one definition of love. However, I propose to you Love, holy Love, really has little to do with warm feelings and more to do with actions, attitudes and thought processes. True Love, Holy Love is more than feeling; it is a way of living!

I believe Love will play a huge part in the Lord’s plans for 2009! However, what actions, attitudes and thought processes constitute Love? 1 Corinthians 13 defines Love according to God’s standard, and grasping Love’s true identity, deepens its concrete reality. Feelings are abstract, but Love has substance.

The substance of Love’s action manifests itself in patience, kindness, and good manners towards others. These actions as described in 1 Corinthians makes Love tangible and draws it out of the realm of feelings into a reality which touches others.

The substance of Love’s attitudes is evidenced by our attitudes towards others. Do we hold others up, preferring them to ourselves and rejoice in their triumphs, or do we envy their successes and gifts, feeling we should have the blessings and gifts God has given to them? Do we see the gifts in others and speak encouragement and life to those gifts, or do we constantly speak of our accomplishments and ourselves with an attitude of pride, believing in our hearts that we are somehow better than others? Are we selfless or selfish when faced with a situation which requires us to fight for others who are oppressed or hang on to what we feel rightfully belongs to us?

Love’s substance pays no mind to the response of others towards us, and certainly keeps no record of the wrongs acted out against us. The thoughts we consider indicate what kind of Love/love we have in our hearts. Do we rejoice when the Truth becomes evident and mourn when evil prevails, and do we know that Love's assignment protects, trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres?

Those of us blessed with the gift of compassion and mercy often interpret situations using our emotions as a kind of barometer; there is nothing wrong with feeling emotion as long as God’s Holy Spirit moderates them. Emotions are a good gift given to us by our Abba Father! God has emotions, deep emotions, and we, His sons and daughters, have been created in His image, therefore, we have deep emotions as well. However, be aware, that the god of this age knows us, and he is able to manipulate emotions. Be certain the Holy Spirit is guiding you and not the evil one when it comes to discerning situations and others by feelings. This kind of discernment is inferior to godly discernment and can lead to having a judgmental heart, which definitely is contrary to Love.

TRUE LOVE NEVER FAILS! Love makes no errors and lives through eternity. Love has always been and will always be, as it is perfectly expressed in the great I Am, Whose life on earth lived out Love! Holy Spirit empower us in 2009, and beyond, to live out True Love, Holy Love representing You as we move through the places and contact the people You place before us. AMEN!!!

Jesus...The Reason

Merry Christmas!

Light of the world You stepped down into darkness.

Opened my eyes, let me see.
Beauty that made this heart adore You

Hope of a life spent with You

Here I am to worship,

Here I am to bow down,

Here I am to say that You're my God

You're altogether lovely Altogether worthy,

Altogether wonderful to me

King of all days oh, so highly exalted

Glorious in heaven above

Humbly You came To the earth You created

All for love's sake became poor

Here I am to worship,

Here I am to bow down,

Here I am to say that You're my God

You're altogether lovely

Altogether worthy,

Altogether wonderful to me

I'll never know how much it cost

To see my sin upon that cross

I'll never know how much it cost

To see my sin upon that cross

I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross

I'll never know how much it cost

Here I am to worship

Here I am to bow down

Here I am to say that You're my God

You're altogether lovely

Altogether worthy

Altogether wonderful to me

Here I am to worship

Here I am to bow down

Here I am to say that You're my God

You're altogether lovely

Altogether worthy

Altogether wonderful to me

I'll never know how much it cost

to see my sins upon that cross

Fountains of Living Water: Let Them Eat Cake!

I had a dream last night about a woman who was sitting at a kitchen table with a piece of white cake with coconut frosting in front of her, as well as a walkie-talkie on the table before her. (This woman is someone that I know in the natural realm who has the bad habit of grumbling and complaining.) All this woman could do was grumble about the last time she ate at a particular restaurant. She complained that they purposely withheld the cake from her. She was so distracted by the the apparent injustice, that she didn't see the cake right in front of her.

As she continued to complain, her grandson, who was filled with joy, played with his friends across the street. He had a walkie-talkie which he occasionally used to call the woman's name in an attempt to change her focus. In an attempt to clear up the reception, I took the plug and raised it up in the air and attached it to the metal light frame. The voice of the child was now very clear and he was calling the woman's name, but she did not hear him. Not only did she have the cake before her now, but she also has a child who loves her dearly. The woman was preoccupied to the point where she could see none of these blessings.

This world is full of hurts and injustices, and all of us have been hurt at one time or another. The deepest hurts and injustices have come by the hand of those we have trusted, and we have been wounded to the very depths of our souls, BUT I believe the Lord is saying..."It is time to let go of the past injustices and forgive those who have hurt you. For by rehearsing the past, you are blinded to the blessings right in front of you."

It really doesn't matter who was wrong and who was right; That's for Jesus to decide. What matters now is that forgiveness flows from our hearts...a daily, moment by moment, choice to forgive. Jesus, empower us to forgive from our hearts!!! Amen!!!!

Colossians 3:13 (Amplified Bible)
"Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]."

The Reason For the Season?

One of my awesome students sent this to me via e-mail. I'm sorry to say that this lie has infiltrated our nation. I encourage all of you to respond to "Happy Holidays" with a bright and cheery, "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

*Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*

*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*

*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was nowhere to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penney's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*

*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*

*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*

*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday!*
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet
MERRY CHRISTMAS !

Christ is 'The Reason' for the Christ-mas Season!

(Philippians:4:13)

As Two More States Institute Assisted Suicide, Many Doctors Take Pledge to Only Promote Life

by Aimee Herd : Dec 18, 2008 : CL Staff – Citizen

…doctors who have a pro-life stance, need support.

According to a report by Citizen Link, more doctors are pledging against the physician assisted suicide laws recently passed in both Montana and Washington.

Spokesman for the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, Alex Schadenberg, noted that doctors who have a pro-life stance, need support. (Photo: take-the-pledge.com)

"Some of the physicians in Oregon opposed assisted suicide," Schadenberg said, adding that some then changed their stance to a neutral one after it was legalized.

The pledge reportedly underscores some of the wording in the Hippocratic Oath, by stating:

• I will treat the sick according to my best ability and judgment, always striving to do no harm. Whenever I care for a terminally-ill patient, I will provide optimal comfort care until natural death.

• I will also support my patients' wishes not to prolong the dying process with futile treatment. I will never give a deadly drug to anyone even if asked, nor will I suggest suicide.

• I will always affirm and guard these ethical principles with integrity, recognizing that every human life is inherently valuable.

In addition to doctors, there are similar pledges for medical caregivers and just concerned citizens as well. To access the Pledge website, CLICK HERE.

Dear Blog Readers,

I encourage you to pray!!! Life is precious, whether that life is a child in his mother's womb, or a person diagnosed with a terminal illness. Pray for the doctors who choose life. Pray for nurses who are accused of lacking in mercy because they choose NOT to give a lethal overdose of pain medication. Pray that blind eyes would be opened to the spirit of death, which is behind this legislation.

Father, I bring this issue before Your throne. One Word from You chases away the darkness. Allow Life physically and emotionally displace areas overrun with death. Allow Life eternal fill up this nation who is under God!! All for the glory of Jesus!!! AMEN!!!!

With Love,

Beautiful Grace

My Snowflake

I made this snowflake tonight. Thanks, Joyful Stamper!

Spirit of Prophecy Bulletin

The Trumpet by Bill Burns --
December 15, 2008:

Hear what the Spirit says. As you gain knowledge and understanding of the fourth watch, you will realize that you are on a fast track to the end of the age. It is important that you rise up and enter into that which I have provided for you. Come, I say. Come through the door into the heavenly realm. You will now establish your position in the Kingdom of Almighty God, and there your reward lies. Come with faith. Come with joy. Come with expectation. Come and be what I have called you to be. Allow the eyes of your spirit to be opened so that you see My purpose for you. Destiny will unfold in measures that you can barely understand. You must receive that which I am doing if you are to grasp the reality of this present work within My kingdom. Some of you, My people, need to make a course correction from the position that you have set yourselves in, for you have misunderstood. You thought you heard Me clearly when, in fact, you heard your own will and emotions speaking to you. Now is the time to get back on track within the confines of My purposes. Listen, and I will speak to you and bring revelation and understanding of these corrections. Set yourselves before Me and open your ears. Do not allow your emotions to rule, says the Lord.

Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns --
December 15, 2008:

I had a really quick vision of someone pulling taffy, it started with one lump and then was pulled into two lumps. The lumps were still connected but getting really thin in the middle. And, the Lord was showing me that this is how the things of the past will be separated from the future. We cannot take stuff from the past into the days ahead. Past issues will become a dim memory. We will no longer experience the pain of these events, but neither will we forget. They will simply become history. We are now in transition as we are being separated from the bitterness of our personal history that has held us in bondage, so that we can be healed and move forward.

Mom Update

Dear Praying Friends,

I brought mom home from the hospital yesterday!! Thank You, Jesus!!! She is much better, but it is obvious her leg is not completely healed from infection. She remains on two antibiotics until the 18th. Please pray that this infirmity cycle is completely broken in my Mother. With each infection and hospitalization she become weaker and weaker, which leaves her susceptible to another infection. Also, please pray that she would be able to get off of all the medications...there are side effects that I believe may be causing her to be weaker.

Thank you for caring!

I found this list over at TCC. I've accomplished 40 of these things in 44 years. Does anyone want to take me to Africa, the Middle East or Europe? ;)

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed/hiked a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning (not medically confirmed)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (as a young girl, I was all by myself)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Witnessed a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise - going in March!
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching - twice!
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar - just last weekend at a wedding reception.
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades - camped there for a week without hot water!
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a Bone - (I accidentally bit a fork while eating pumpkin pie and broke my jaw)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life- (Performed abdomenal thrusts on a woman choking)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous- (If meeting members of the Christian rock bands, Thousand Foot Crutch and Red count)
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby - (twice)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

My Boys: Consecrated and Fire

This soccer ball was designed and created by Consecrated for his brother, Fire. Isn't it awesome?

This simple animation was created by Consecrated for one of his classes at The Art Institute of York. He has almost finished his second term with 4 more terms until graduation.

I'm proud of Consecrated's talent and diligence!!

The following videos are my boys and their friend, DL. Consecrated is on the left, the tall blond, and Fire, the red head, is playing the djembe. I'm blessed by their musical abilities.

Update on Mom

Hello Prayer Warriors,

I just spoke with Mom's internal medicine doctor. She definitely has septicemia, which in layman's terms, means the cellulitis in her leg has spread to her blood and has traveled throughout her body. They don't have the final report as to the assaulting organism, but are currently treating her with broad spectrum antibiotics (antibiotics which kill numerous types of disease-causing organisms). She has been diagnosed with thrombocytopenia (a fancy way of saying her platelets-the cells which aid in blood clot formation-are low).

The huge praise is that her heart remains in a good rhythm!!!! Yeah, Jesus!! Another huge praise is that her kidney (remember she only has one) function is normal!!!!! Yeah, Jesus!!

Please continue you prayer for complete healing of this infection...this time it was potentially life-threatening!!!

I appreciate ALL of you!!!

Love,
Beautiful Grace

Plant and Animal Cell Drawings by Fire

Fire's assignment was to draw a plant cell and an animal cell. I'm pleased with his work (so is his biology teacher)!

Mom in the Hospital

Hi, Dear Praying Friends,

I received a call from my Dad last night around 9 pm. Mom was not responding normally to him again. Strongman and I left church and headed for my parent's house. It turned out that Mom had a fever of 104 degrees. Her leg looks red again and she does have burning with urination. Obviously, she is infected again!! The huge praise in all of this is that previously with any type of infection, her heart would go into atrial fibrillation. This time her heart rate stayed normal. Thank you, Jesus!!! She was admitted to the hospital a little after midnight for IV antibiotic therapy. She was still pretty out of it when we left around 2:30 am.

Please pray that this hospitalization cycle is broken and that her heart and body remain healthy!!!

Thank you for caring!

Happy Nineteenth Birthday, Consecrated!!!

My son, Consecrated turned nineteen yesterday. Happy birthday, Consecrated!!! I love you, and I am proud!!!!

A Leaking Coffee Maker...a Sign of God's Care?

The first thing I do in the morning is grab a cup of coffee and yesterday was no different. Though groggy, I lumbered (my family says I'm a loud walker) through the hallway and to the kitchen, where the preprogrammed coffee maker awaited containing freshly brewed java. The brown liquid appeared darker than usual, but I continued on my mission to get that cup of coffee. As I poured the french vanilla creamer into my cup, I noticed the counter was full of water. Upon close inspection, I observed that water from the coffee maker had leaked all the way to the microwave. I quickly unplugged all electrical items and began the sopping process.

It was then I noticed my book Understanding the Dreams You Dream by Ira Milligan was laying in a pool of water, in fact, the book was saturated! I finished wiping the counter and then took my book downstairs to begin the painstaking process of drying each of the 249 pages with my blow dryer. Working slowly so as not to tear the pages of this helpful reference, I continued for about 30 minutes. During that time, I felt that God said that the water saturating the dream book was a sign of His Spirit saturating not only my dream life, but the dreams of my family. Then I heard Him say, "You have asked for My Spirit to flood your home. The water is a sign that I have heard you."

If you have read my blog for any length of time, you know that I love symbolic communication. Water, symbolic for God's Holy Spirit had saturated my kitchen (symbolic for the heart) of my family's home!!! Not only had God heard my prayer, but He responded in the most unique way to my prayer!!! How I love You, Jesus!!!

Last night before bed with a son on each side, I prayed for dreams that would be saturated with God's Spirit, and lives would overflowing with the Spirit. Then after Strongman prayed for me, I prayed for both of our dreams and lives to be flooded with the Spirit.

The coffee maker's leaking was not an inconvenience, it was a sign of God's care! He had heard my prayers, and He cares!!!!!

May all of you have a revelation of God's care in your own lives. He has heard your petitions! You just never know the creative way He may answer!

Oh, by the way, I did have have a dream of direction and encouragement last night, and Strongman just shared a dream he had last night. Thank You, my Jesus!!!! The boys are still sleeping. Can't wait to hear what God said to them!!!

Let Thanksgiving Arise: The Blessings of the Prophetic

Hearing the voice of the One Who created the universe...this was my great desire approximately eight years ago. Entering the season of some of the most horrific battles I had yet to experience in my life, I not only desired to hear the voice of Jesus, but in fact, was desperate to hear Him!

Jesus promises us that His sheep hear His voice in the amplified version of John 10:27 7 28, "The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand."

To those of you sheep facing what appears insurmountable, I implore you...seek to hear His voice. He will lead you through the valley and walk with you as you climb that mountain!

But hearing the voice of God is not only personal, it is relational, which is "relationship by consanguinity or affinity : kinship," according to Merriam-Webster's online dictionary. How does hearing God's voice impact those with which we have a relationship? Holy Love answers this question!

Love, according to 1 Corinthians 14:1, should be our ultimate goal. Paul instructs us to "EAGERLY PURSUE and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy ([i]interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching)," emphasis mine.

Since love is our goal and we are specifically instructed to prophesy, then we should seek the heart of God about what He is saying, not only for ourselves, but for others as well.

Asking the Lord to reveal His heart about a person and then speaking His heart to that person remains the ultimate verbal expression of Love. When someone struggles with who they are in Christ, His Spirit may reveal that they are "Loved with and everlasting Love and being held with everlasting arms." Speaking words from the heart of God to one of His sheep at just the right time brings hope and life and victory to one struggling!

About a year ago, I was worshipping Jesus through dance, when I heard Him instruct me to call a woman and say, "I have seen your tears, and I am with you." I figured I'd call this woman after I had finished worshipping Jesus. But the Lord wanted me to call immediately, and I obeyed. It turns out the just prior to my phone call, the woman had been crying out to the Lord saying, "Don't you see my tears. I feel like I'm all alone." I had no idea what was going on in this woman's life, but God did and speaking the words given by Jesus brought hope and life and victory to her battle that day! God's voice was perceived and spoken...Love prevailed!!!

If you belong to Jesus, you too can hear His voice for yourself and for those around you as long as Love is the motive for speaking. The blessing of hearing God's heart and then speaking God's heart not only fulfills the desire the Lord has for us, but blesses us in the process. When we give His Love, Jesus liberally pours His Love back into us!!!

Take this Thanksgiving Day to listen for and speak the heart of God to those you contact. It doesn't have to sound spiritual, it just has to be words expressed in Love! Follow the link for God's definition of Love!!!

Jesus, You are magnificent! You are unmatched! You speak to the dead places within us and life emerges. Your words bring victory to the battle and hope to the hopeless! Pour Your Love through us today and let our eyes reflect Your Love! You, oh Perfect Love, cast out all fear and restore all things. Love conquers all!!!! Glory be to You, my Jesus!!! AMEN!!!

Please Pray for My Friend, Maria!

Please pray for my friend, Maria, whose husband, Ernie, died a few days ago. She has been an encouragement to many!!! Pour Your Spirit out upon Maria and her family, Jesus. You, oh, Comforter, are the One whose touch heals the broken-hearted. Touch and heal Maria and her family even now, Jesus!!! Amen!!!!

Bill and Marsha burns Prophecy

The Trumpet by Bill Burns -- November 17, 2008: The instruction to the Church at this time is to get past unbelief. This is a new era, and we must get over disappointment. There is a prevailing sense of unbelief because of disappointment and unanswered prayer. Things that many of us expected to happen didn't. This unbelief must be dealt with before we can receive the rain of this season. God wants us to interact on a new level; not just prayer, but spiritual interaction. The invitation is to move to a new spiritual plateau. The Lord will show us the prophetic implications of the times and seasons. Everything we've been taught was for the purpose of bringing us to prophetic reality, and the anointing will come to produce that prophetic reality in us.

Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns November 16, 2008: The Spirit of the Lord broke in on me and brought someone to mind that has been a reliable prophet, and I believe this person is symbolic of the prophetic church. I had a sense that this person had feelings of being disassociated, lost, disillusioned, and hopeless. There was a disappointment that expectations haven't been met, and a sense of dread or even fear that what had been worked for and hoped for had all been in vain. I believe the enemy is doing all he can to shut the mouths of the prophets again and to keep God's people from exercising their faith. Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

November 17, 2008: I am calling you to awaken to a fresh sense of purpose and destiny, for I speak to many who have become disillusioned and have drawn back into silence and solace. This is a new day. There is much to be done to establish the reality of My kingdom. Rise up in the Spirit, and I will manifest in wondrous ways to move you forward in divine progression, says the Lord. 1 Timothy 4:14-15 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.

New Harmonies, New Sounds, and a New Army Rising in the Earth!

Chuck Pierce: Glory of Zion International


November 14, 2008

Dear Changing Saints:

Recently in the midst of all the changes, the Lord began to speak to me about a "Triumphant Reserve." As I shared on this last Sunday, the Spirit of God overwhelmed us with His Presence in our midst with prophetic utterance and new songs. The following is so key for you to read and embrace as we enter this new season:

"The time is now that I will call forth My reserve that I have been preparing. This reserve has been in the wings and on the shelves waiting for Me to say the word that will draw them from the wilderness. The time is now! The time is now! The time is now! The waiting has produced a power and a glory that has not been seen in this reserve that will now come forth triumphantly. There is a beauty that will come forth in this Holy Array when I speak. Many will say, 'Who is this coming up from the wilderness?' When they begin their journey from captivity, they will radiate with a strength and power that regions and territories have not known before. They will be a changed remnant. You have been designated as one of the Triumphant Reserve.

You will stand in the midst of great confusion, and a torrent season of great grace and wisdom will be displayed like a multi-colored coat to all the principalities around you. There is a beauty that I bring when I come. This mantle will unfurl before you and encompass you in a new way. You have not understood how your freedom and glory has been furled and the world has not been able to see who My People really are. I will bring changes in the next 14 months that will cause an unfurling. I am a God that watches every decision that is being made. I am the God of history. I am the God of the present. I am the God of the future. I have seen decisions in the past that will now unfurl. But now, you will see Me take the past and present and unfurl your future. I am setting a new order to secure an inheritance that is under scrutiny and attack. Return to your holy abiding place, for you have allowed your emotions to become fragmented and separated. There must be holiness in My remnant people in this hour to wear the mantle that I AM unfurling.

The sound of change is now upon us.

A sound of change invades the earth,

The sound of wisdom flowing down,

Sound of grace coming down as a crown.

The sound of change is now upon us,

A sound of change, a new day.

I will return you to your place of victory.

I will return you to the place of your rest.

I will return you to your place of victory.

I will return you to the place of your rest.

It's a love that doesn't care about my past.

It's a love that says don't look back.

It's a love that wants to wrap you in His arms.

It's a love that doesn't care about my past.

It's a love that doesn't look back.

Come forward. Come forward,

Because I love you.

It's a love that covers my past.

It's a love that covers my past.

No, I don't have to look back.

He died to cover my past.
--Meredith Mauldin and John Dickson

There is now a divine return in the earth that My people must take, for they must step back and watch Me go before them. I'm a God that goes before you and you must understand that I know the way this day. Step back before your path begins to split into ways that would cause My army not to align properly. Step back and return to your place of rest. Return to a place of divine rest in Me. I will cause faith that has been bottled and stopped up in you to arise and surface in a key time and place. I will cause your mission to come into a new order. There is a divine return.

My people must stay in their abiding place. When the enemy pulls you out of My place of abiding, no matter how righteous the cause seems, when you leave the indwelling power of My presence, this will give the enemy the right to move into places and seep into places that I do not want you to allow. This will form an administration that gives the enemy right to rule. This is a time that I am returning a people into a place so they can be called forth in a new way.There's a new form of worship. There's a new cry in My heart for a people to change the way they have worshipped and sacrificed in the past. Come before Me and hear in a new way. Listen intently. This is a time that you must rise up. You must come up and ascend into a place you've not been before. Bend down and worship that you might come up. This is a time that without your submission you will not see the movement of My Spirit in the earth realm.

I AM brooding over many areas in the earth - government, economic and spiritual structures - and changing the structures of how these systems have operated in past seasons. Remove from your heart anything that is above Me. Any strategy or any goal that you have above Me must be removed. You must have freedom in your heart in days ahead. This new freedom will cause you to follow in the way that I WILL instruct you. The cry of freedom and the need to worship will save you in the days ahead. You have been a people that have set your freedom upon the civil authorities that have been over you. But I say come to a more excellent way understanding freedom. You don't understand the workings of the governments of the world. Rise up, for your freedom is not in a man's voice but your freedom is in a relationship with My voice. Listen. Listen. Listen. Listen - you must know My voice this hour. It is I who will lead you out of bondage. It is I who will bring you through the door of your future. Know My voice and long to become one with Me in days ahead. Listen intently to those who are speaking what I am saying. Listen carefully to all and hear only ME.

Worship Me in a new way and get ready to ascend! (Keith Pierce) I see a chain on your legs. When you worship, the enemy is pulling you back. War against the chain that is working against you! As you press into worship, I am releasing the Keeper of the Keys to come down and unlock you, releasing you to ascend. I must have you in My Presence now! Press to ascend. Press to ascend. Cry out in worship and press to ascend. The day of ascension has come upon you because the heaven is open. Rise to ascend. I have an orchestra that I am calling forth. There are sounds that are creating new harmonies in the earth. The harmonies in the earth are now changing. You must know the sound of My harmony in the midst of the chaos.

We're marching with Your harmony.

We're marching with Your harmony.

We're marching with Your harmony.

We will go where You're sending.

We're marching with Your harmony,

Marching with Your harmony.

We are marching with Your harmony.

We will go where you say,

Marching with Your harmony.

We hear Your voice and now we see Your way.

The sound - hear the sound.

The sound is pushing you forward.

Hear the sound.

The sound is pushing you forward.

Don't look back, you can't look back,

No strings attached;

Don't look back, no chains attached.

We're marching forth.

We won't turn back.

We're marching forth.

We won't turn back.

--Lauren Aubrey & Tammy Black

There are sounds that are flowing through your blood. There are sounds that I am rearranging in the bloodlines of nations. Get in step with My harmony and the earth. I AM shaking nations into MY next order. Trees are clapping their hands and root systems are becoming renewed. Fruit that hasn't been seen in the last season will burst forth before the eyes of My people this year. I am building bridges that you must choose in days ahead. These bridges will be from one side to the other of schisms that have been created. Find that bridge of faith that you are to walk on. In the middle of it, I will meet you and raise you up to a new level. But you must walk. You will see the nations as I see the nations. The enemy has planted his toe within your heart. Now I am causing you to turn and look at him in the face, for it is only a toehold he has. He is trying to convince you that his foot is upon you. You have a word very near and nigh to you to speak. Speak the word and decree that his toehold from the past must go! Your foot now will go on top of his headship that has been ruling you.

There's a trembling before the army of the Lord,

A trembling before the army of the Lord.

The song is louder than terrible words.

A trembling goes before you.

It's a sound of trembling,

of fury not hesitant,

A sound of trembling,

of fury not hesitant.

Will you be known by your fury or hesitant?

It's the sound of the army whose king is the Lord.

This is the sound of the army whose king is the Lord.

--Aaron Smith & LeAnn Squier

Seeing into the Unseen, Taking Authority, and Infusing Love

It started the beginning of last week with a phone call from a friend. She had a heavy prayer request. After agreeing to pray about the situation she faced, I knew I needed to seek the Lord as to how to even begin to pray. I asked the Lord for a dream that night and I believe He gave me direction on how to pray. But did you ever experience heavy prayer issues do have the potential to weigh down the pray-er?

Wednesday evening, I was faced with a choice which stirred a little anxiety in me. I prayed about what to do, and then felt to push through the fear.

On Friday, someone said something that stirred my flesh and anxiety came a little heavier on me. I even started to get a little nauseated. I commanded my stomach to quiet and it immediately obeyed, however, I did not command the anxiety to leave.

On Friday evening, as I was walking through my kitchen (which I believe represents my heart/soul), I saw out of my left peripheral vision a thin mist. I turned to actually see it, only to see it immediately dissipate. I believe I saw an angel sent to minister my heart/soul.

Friday night was difficult for sleeping because anxiety hung like a weight on my chest. I prayed, but still no resolution of the heaviness.

Finally, on Saturday, enough was enough and God's Spirit rose up in me to command anxiety to go in the name of Jesus!!! Guess what...immediately anxiety flew off my chest. I'm not exaggerating! It actually felt as though something was perched on my chest and left at lightning speed at my command. In anxiety's place, I could feel God infusing me with Peace and Love and Joy!

A little later, I gave a "Love Infusion" to a girl who had been having chest pain. "Love Infusion" was what Jesus told me to call it. It simply was a hug in which I prayed for the Love that Jesus infused me with would be transferred to the girl.

This past Monday, Mom started to experience dizziness. I checked her and her vital signs were stable. We had her checked in the afternoon and nothing definitive was determined.

Tuesday, while driving to co-op, I was singing and worshipping Jesus. I started to feel holy electricity strongly over various parts of my body. I was being infused again. The Lord instructed me to pray for a friend, who reported that she could feel electricty coming off of me as I placed my arm around her back.

Early Wenesday morning Dad found Mom on the floor beside the bed. I immediately went to check her and found her heart racing at 140 beats a minute. She was having an attack of atrial fibrillation. The ambulance was called and they actually gave her an IV push med to slow her heart rate before leaving for the hospital. Mom was admitted to the Harrisburg Hospital. Her white blood cells are elevated (indicative of infection) and I also discovered she hadn't been taking her heart medicine. Please pray!!!
The awesome thing about all of this is that the whole time, I could feel Jesus' Presence (electricity) and Peace...not a bit of anxiety.

I spent the majority of Wednesday at the hospital came home for about 20 minutes and then headed back to the big city to attend Youth service. My husband ussually doesn't come with us on Wednesdays, but did because he knew I was tired. Isn't that sweet?

While turning into CCC I saw out of my right periphery, a white mist hovering around the CCC sign. Again, I believe an angel assigned to protect. Awesome!!!

Thank you, Jesus, for Your Infusions, for Your Love and Strength in me. You are my Beautiful Friend!!! I love You!!!

Twin Valley Soccer Club 2008

Fire played the last game of the soccer season this past Saturday. He was the team captain this year and I was proud of his ability to step up to that leadership position. Most of all, I am thrilled that he exhibited good sportsmanship. Fire, I am blessed to be your Mom!!!

Thanks Jamie and Phil for your positive coaching!!! You both set godly examples for the kids to follow.

All Your Pretty Leaves Have Fallen to the Ground

Below is a repost of an article written by one of my biology students. Read her heart and "see" the awesome insight of one so young. I am privileged to be able to speak into her life.

Have an awesome day!
Beautiful Grace

Reposted by permission of author, Sarah.

"all your pretty leaves have fallen to the ground"

on sunday i was taking a walk with my amazing little brother. i'm serious. my little brother is amazing. annoying, yes, but more amazing than annoying.

so anyway, we were walking together and talking about God and stuff, and i came up with the most amazing analogy! :)

or, i didn't come up with it. God gave it to me. i don't make this stuff up, folks. lol..

leaves look the same. they do. if you hold two leaves from the same tree next to eachother, they both look the same. but they AREN'T the same. they have slightly different shapes and their little leaf vane thingies are at different spots on the leaf, you know? leaves LOOK the same, but the AREN'T the same. and eventually they will all fall off of whatever tree they live on, and they will land on the ground. and these very similar leaves will be at spots that are perhaps very close to eachother, but they won't be at the same spot. they might be next to eachother, but they can't both be at the exact same spot in space.

this kinda reminds me of the body of Christ. the world is full of people. people in general look the same. we all have eyes, noses, mouths, hair, arms, legs, hands, feet. some of us share the same interests and talents. but does that mean that we're the same? no. people are most definitely NOT the same. some of us might LOOK the same, but we're NOT the same.... and God has plans for all of us. it says that in Jeremiah. i forget where, but it says that God has plans for us to give us a hope and a future. and God calls us all to do different things for Him, right? and some people will do the same thing. there's naturally gonna be more than one missionary and more than one pastor and more than one of everything. and anyway, just because you're doing something that's extremely similar as your brother or sister in Christ doesn't mean that what you're doing is unimportant. what you're doing is IMPORTANT, kuz God told you to do it. think about the leaves again. the leaves fall off the tree and land really close to eachother! the leaves falling off the tree is kind of like when God calls you to do something, and you go do it. and... like, what if one of the leaves wasn't there? even though they're next to eachother on the ground, they both still cover up a piece of ground. if one of the leaves wasn't THERE, there would be a blank piece of ground, right? and that's no good. just like, it's no good if there's two pastors who are sitting here being jealous of eachother because they're doing the similar things. it doesn't matter that you're both doing the similar things. the point is, God called each of you to do that thing, right? so DO it. if it wouldn't work, God wouldn't have called both of you to where you are, so get over yourself already. and when leaves fall off the tree, they don't sit there going, "ew, you're touching me, go move somewhere else and do your own thing." no. they don't say ANYTHING... mainly because they're inanimite objects. heh. but for real. be like leaves. land where God tells you to land, and don't pick on other people for landing where God told THEM to land. even though you're both doing similar things, you can't do the SAME thing that the other person is doing. like if pastor A tried to be pastor B, it wouldn't work, because pastor A is a different person than pastor B is. pastor A adds his own personal touch to his ministry, and pastor B has a completely different personal touch to add. and neither of these pastors could do what the other person is doing, simply because they're not them. they're themselves.....

i hope that made sense. sorry if it was disjointed or whatever... my family is watching a movie in the other room and the noise is carrying over, which makes it hard to think. slightly.

im gonna go knit. yuns have a great day. :)

peace,-Sarah

Consecutive Birthday Sundays

We celebrated Fire's 15th birthday last Sunday and my baby bro's 138th birthday (actually, his 40th) this afternoon. We had exactly the same food each day as well...turkey pot pie (homemade noodle kind), lettuce and tomato salad with my mom's homemade sweet sour dressing and chocolate cake with peanut butter icing for dessert.

Happy birthday, guys!!!!

This One's For Scarlett: The Wonders of Kingdom Protista

Because God created a multitude of living things, scientists have devised a way of grouping them by similar characteristics. The classification scheme most widely used today is the Five-Kingdom System, which includes the Kingdoms...Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

If you remember my post, "Didn't Your Mom Tell You to Wash Your Hands?," you learned about the organisms (the fancy term for living things) in Kingdom Monera. Today, I want to share the glory of God through His creations in Kingdom Protista.

Kingdom Protista, with its numerous and diverse life forms, are split into to Sub kingdoms...Algae and Protozoa. The organisms in Sub kingdom Algae are more like plants (yet, not really plants) and the organisms in Sub kingdom Protozoa are more like animals (yet, not really animals).

The picture below was taken by me with that cool microscope, while I was looking at a drop of pond water.

My opinion is that the strand we are looking at is an example of an organism from Sub kingdom Algae from the Phylum Chlorophyta (a phylum is a smaller grouping of organisms with similar characteristics).

The clear square shaped objects may be examples of organisms known as diatoms, Sub kingdom Algae, Phylum Chrysophyta. Diatoms are responsible for the majority of oxygen in our atmosphere, not trees and other plants as most people think. Another interesting fact about diatoms is that their cell walls (the outside covering of the cell) are made of silicon dioxide, a principle component of glass. The bodies of diatoms stay around long after the actual organisms have died. Large deposits of diatom remains make up what is called diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth, among other things, is used as an abrasive in toothpaste!!! Think of that the next time you brush your teeth!!!!

The upper left corner shows a oval-shaped organism that I believe to be a paramecium...Sub kingdom Protozoa from the Phylum Ciliophora. This guy likes to eat algae, so my bet is that he's heading for lunch in the picture. He moves by hairlike extensions called cilia encircling his single-celled body. You really can't see them in this picture because they are clear and very small.

The next picture shows a prepared slide of Paramecia (plural of paramecium). Notice the pretty colors? That's not natural; these little guys were dyed so we could see them better. Notice the dark areas inside their bodies. They are organelles ("little organs") which help the cell performs the tasks needed in order to live.

This picture shows a paramecium that I saw with the "cool microscope." Several years ago, while teaching biology at Home Scholars, our class saw a paramecium eating algae. It was extremely cool!! We actually could see the green algae being swept into the oral grove (kind of like its mouth) of the paramecium. As it entered the body of the creature, we could still see the green algae as it moved throughout the animal-like cell. My students didn't want to leave when the class period was over; seeing God's creation do what it was created to do was AMAZING!!!! That should spark us to do and be who Jesus created us to be, because it glorifies Him!!!!

The next picture shows another example of algae.

The more we learn through science, the more we can actually see the glory of God through His Creation!!!!! That's why I'm a "Science Gal."

All photos are original.
You have permission to use them,

if you provide a link back to my site.
Also, please be aware that I am not a trained microbiologist.
The interpretations of the pictures listed

are the opinions of "Science Gal"

who holds a nursing degree, not a biology degree!
Thank you! :)

Divine Connection

Last night many women of God encountered their Bridegroom, Jesus, in deeper way. The Women's Ministry at Christ Community Church held "Divine Connection," a time for women to soak in worship of their King, receive communion, be anointed with oil, and hear the heart of their Bridegroom through prophetic ministry. "Divine Connection" was the women's version of the Princess Party which was held for high school girls last spring. To refresh to memory read "Your Bridegroom Has Rescued You, Princess" and "I Will Shine the Glory of My Bridegroom"?

The Holy Spirit's beautiful ministry to these women was something I'll not soon forget. The faces of these women shown as the heart of their First Love was revealed to them, and I am convinced that many, many more women now have a deeper understanding of why Jesus calls them Beloved.

Thank you, Pastor Sheri, Zoe, Shauntel, and all the leadership team for the untold hours of preparation for this event!!! Not only was eternity impacted, but I believe these women will now take giant leaps into their destiny because they know how much they are adored by the King of Kings!!! Also, thank you, Ministry Team, for giving of yourself unreservedly in order to be a vessel through which the Holy Spirit flowed. You will reap what you sowed last night. Bless you all!!

Fifteen Years of Fire

In honor of Fire's fifteenth birthday. A chronicle of "Fifteen Years of Fire" through pictures. We love you, Chrispy (my nickname for Fire).
Happy birthday!!!!!!

Family Pictures: 2008

Family Pictures

by

Auntie MA

Thank You, Sissy!!!

Let God's Word Sink Deep!

It was about eight years ago that I began to seek after hearing, really hearing what God had to say. I was tired of the "form of religon" and I wanted to express my love to Jesus and recieve His love through heart to heart communication.

The Fire of His Love burned hot and little by little, I have become the woman I am today. At the beginning of my quest the Lord promised me some amazing things. Some of those things are spelled out in the word below. I have bolded the statements that apply to me.

I will "Let God's Word Sink Deep!" I encourage you to do the same.


The Trumpet by Bill Burns --


October 20, 2008:

If you can receive it, says the Lord, this is a time of new beginnings, a time that you will one day look back upon and rejoice in. As you enter into this season of advancement and acquisition, you shall look back and say, "And the Lord did that for me in that time; He provided for me in that time; the Lord healed me in that time; it was the Lord who brought me up into the heavenly places." For, it is My Spirit that shall come and teach you and lead you in the way of revelation and bring you forth into the flow of spiritual life. In you I have hidden a treasure, which is still there, but when the living water of the Spirit begins to flow forth out of your innermost being, it will bring that treasure to light and to your understanding. Then, you will embrace that which I am doing and the new thing that I am doing in this season will come forth. Believe what I say to you, for it is time for you to arise to a new level, and it is time for you to arise to the spiritual habitation that I have prepared for you. The fullness of what I have prepared shall be known and received.

Consecrated Finishes First Term!

Congratulations, Consecrated for completing your first term at The Art Institute of York with honors!!! Your hard work and dedication will propel you on the path of your destiny that only you can complete. All of the glory goes to Jesus!!!!!


Your Dad and I are very proud!!! Thank You, Jesus, for guiding my son in ALL that he does!!!

Praise: Mom Update

Dear Praying Friends,

I am feeling everyone's prayers. Yesterday's co-op was the best of this year so far. Each class I taught was clear and fun, or at least the responses of my students made it appear that way. :) Only by the power of my Jesus!!!!

One of my former general science students came up to me and hugged me...one of those long loving hugs; It's wonderful to receive Jesus' love through others. I told her she was following the lead of the Holy Spirit, because I needed a hug. She knew nothing about my Mom.

Mom did fall yesterday. She was attempting to pull dead tomato plants out of the ground. She wasn't hurt, but Dad said she almost hit her head on the porch. You can't keep that woman down!!!

Blessings,
Beautiful Grace

For a Good Cry and a Thankful Heart!

The Bridge

How Far Would You Go?

A Cinematic Video by Johnny Cook & Daryl Logullo

bridge

--noun: A connecting or transitional route; a way towards.

(Matt 7:13-14)

Mom's Home...Yeah!!!!

Dear Praying Bloggers,

I brought Mom home from the hospital today. Praise Jesus!!!

It turns out that she probably didn't have a stroke. Praise Jesus!!!

She probably had a seizure and what we saw was the post-seizure phase.

We have four doctor's appointment in the next two weeks, so please continue to keep me in your prayers as the Holy Spirit prompts. Fire told me today that he feels his schooling is being affected by my being gone so much to oversee Mom's care at the hospital. I need the Lord to help me sort through my responsibilities. To be honest, I'm feeling rather overwhelmed...blessed, but overwhelmed.

You ALL are a huge blessing to me!!!

A special thank you to Classic Mama's and Not So Classic's young lady, Scarlett. You're necklace to me was a sign from the Lord coming at exactly the time I needed encouragement. YOU ARE A BLESSING, DEAR!!!

Love to you all,
Beautiful Grace

Thankfulness Overflows!!!

Dear Praying Friends,

Mom was admitted to Harrisburg Hospital yesterday after having been discharged from Holy Spirit Hospital on Monday. She had another unresponsive episode, except this time, I suspected she was having a stroke. Her whole right side was "dead," and although she was awake and looked at us as we spoke, she was unable to verbally respond except with a moan. I just kept kissing her, telling her that I loved her, and praying as Dad and I waited for the ambulance to arrive. I was attempting to encourage Mom to speak and said, "Mom, tell me that you love me." All she could do was moan and look at me with such love. I knew what she was trying to say, but couldn't.

Mom was suppose to go to Holy Spirit Hospital, but the ED doctor diverted her to Harrisburg Hospital because she had brain bleeding symptoms and they had no neurosurgeon on call. My brothers and sisters came to the hospital because we didn't know what condition Mom would be in. To my delight, Mom was coming out of it when we arrived. She told us how she heard everything Dad and I were saying, but could not move or respond. Then she looked at me and said, "I love you, my baby girl." Thankfulness overflows me!!!!

Please pray that there is no residual effect of this stroke and that the doctors are able to prevent further incidents. For those of you that I called in the midst of the situation, a huge thanks!!! During the trip to the hospital, I could feel your prayers. The Presence of Jesus was tangible and I could feel Him like electricity on my skin. He is so good!!!

You all are a blessing to my family and me!!

All for Jesus,
Beautiful Grace :)

Tiffany Ann Lewis:"I See a Bridal Army Resuscitated by the Breath of God"

Oh, my, this speaks to my heart!!! It's so good that I wanted to share it with all of you. I can speak from personal experience that choosing to worship Jesus, especially in the difficult times of this life, causes one to rise up above those difficulties. In times of intense distress, I have danced with Him and miraculously, the intense distress gave way to peace surpassing understanding.

Be encouraged, worship Jesus with every bit of passion you have for Him, in the dark times and in the times of light. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!!

Jesus, I love You! Thank You for how you love me (us)!!! Your Beloved, Beautiful Grace.

By Tiffany Ann Lewis:

"Therefore, behold, I will allure her, will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her. I will give her her vineyards from there, and the Valley of Achor as a door of hope; she shall sing there...as in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt." Hosea 2:14-15

The Lord is alluring, yes alluring, us into the wilderness to be formed into a worshiping weapon - a warrior bride. He is forming an army that does not worry about problems but worships because we know and trust God alone. With eyes locked with His, this bridal army will release Kingdom authority as she dances with her Bridegroom King, Jesus Christ.

Worship is not your typical warfare, but it is an effective strategy and one the devil is hell-bent on destroying. I'm not talking about turning on some music. By definition, worship means to bow down, to prostrate oneself before a superior in homage. Worship is a weapon that has the power to change the atmosphere from hopeless to hopeful.

Our worship gains power as we remember what God has done and why He did it. I am talking about entering into a realm in the Spirit even in the midst of trials and tribulations, pain and suffering, because we know the truth of God's nature and character. It is this truth that sets our hearts free to worship our Bridegroom.

Bridal Worship

The Hebrew word for bride is Kallah, which comes from the root word Kalah, meaning: to finish, complete, prepare, to make perfect (in the sense of totality rather than of being unblemished) and to consume. One of kalah's derivatives translates into the word used for kidney (a vital organ) and speaks metaphorically of the heart, soul, mind; man's inner self.

It's interesting to note that Jesus considered the first and greatest commandment to be, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). Bridal love is a vital desire of God's heart.

The marriage covenant is the most intimate of all human relationships, and throughout Scripture the bond between God and Israel is compared to the marriage relationship between man and wife. As Jesus hung on the cross He declared, "It is finished!" or in keeping with our Hebrew word, "It is kalah!" The covenant that was broken has now been restored, thanks to the shed blood of Jesus Christ and the finished work of the cross.

Therein lies a paradox: "It is finished" as spoken from the cross; yet it has only just begun. The bride needs to be forged into a worshipping weapon - the warrior bride. Connected to the Hebrew root word bride are the words: vessel, tools, jewels, instrument, and weapon.

It's no wonder King Solomon looked at his bride and said, "O my love, you are as beautiful as Tirzah, lovely as Jerusalem, awesome as an army with banners!" (Song of Solomon 6:4). A piece of iron doesn't just suddenly become a weapon; there is much work to do before that lump of iron becomes a gleaming sword.

The Flame of Yah

This is what "Dancing with the Flame of the Lord" is all about. Beloved, the weapon is formed as we dance with the refining Flame of Yah. The same Flame that awakens our love refines it as well.

To allure means to powerfully attract. I have a picture of the Lord dancing us into the wilderness. Because we are so captivated by Him, like a moth, we fly into the middle of His Flame. The dross is purified as unhealthy thoughts, words, and deeds are crucified.

Anything that keeps us from experiencing Him more completely is laid on the altar of sacrifice to be consumed by the Jealous Flame of Love - the Flame of Yah. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to us, during this process we are being formed into a weapon that destroys the works of the enemy while simply worshiping and waiting on Him.

The Valley of Achor

The valley of Achor is a physical location but it offers us a wonderful spiritual lesson. Achor means trouble and disturbance. Do we trust that all these tribulations are destined to produce joyful confidence and eternal hope? Will we follow Him into the wilderness knowing that our only door of hope is a door of troubles and tribulations?

Most don't welcome this part and would prefer to skip it, but it is the bridal relationship that becomes the weapon. Please don't misunderstand me; yes, there is power in His Name. However, we cannot overlook when Jesus turned to those who did many miracles in His name and said, "I never knew you; depart from Me..." (Matthew 7:23).

This phrase has bridal overtones! The word "knew" is a Jewish idiom referring to intimate relations between a man and a woman. It describes a relationship that knows each other personally and thoroughly. The Lord wants us to know Him, but He also wants to know us. There is a bond that is formed in vulnerability. As we discover the blazing Love that death could not quench, nor the grave keep bound, we gain a trust that turns worry into worship.

An Exceedingly Great Army

This is not a work of the flesh lest anyone should boast; it is a work of the Spirit. As the Holy Spirit pours the flaming Love of God upon our hearts, our hearts will begin to burn and our spirits will sing, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." (Job 13:15).

I find the study of Hebrew language so "chuwl" (pronounced cool). Chuwl is a Hebrew word that, like most, has many shades of meaning (Strong's #2342). Its primary meaning is to twist or whirl in a circular or spiral manner specifically to dance. However, because of words like: to be pained, to tarry, to wait anxiously, to wait longingly, to be born, and to bring forth, which are used to describe chuwl, many scholars consider it a word that also describes "intense intercession."

It gets even cooler considering the word chuwl is found in Ezekiel's mystifying vision of the valley of bones. As Ezekiel surveyed the valley of very dry bones, the Lord told him to speak. Ezekiel obeyed and told the bones to hear the word of the Lord. After he prophesied, he saw the bones come together and saw breath come into them. This breath is the same Spirit (Ruwach) that moved upon the face of the waters in Genesis 1:2. After this Breath came into them, the bones lived and were "an exceedingly great army" (Ezekiel 37:10).
Army comes from the root word chuwl!

Psalm 37:7 also uses the word in the phrase "wait patiently for Him." "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way..." Here chuwl speaks of someone who is in a difficult situation, one who is suffering and distressed, who longingly waits while in pain. Beloved, rest and be still; don't fret. God is faithful - don't give up! Keep your eyes on Him and worship your way through the wilderness.

Chuwl seems like such a paradox, but then again, doesn't God use the foolish things of this world to confound man's wisdom? Beloved, chuwl is how we will see it done on earth as it is in Heaven.
I see a bridal army that has been resuscitated by the Breath of God after receiving the kiss of life within their inner man. As we worship Him, warfare is taking place in the spirit. I see the silver sparkle of a sword as it swirls around the dance floor breaking through the opposition.

O' HalleluYah!

God Says, "May I Have this Dance?"
As I prayed about how to deliver this message, the Lord said, "...Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended..." (Isaiah 40:2a). Jesus said, "It is finished!" There is a spiritual battle, yes, but it belongs to the Lord.

The Lord says, "Stop warring; start worshiping. Worship Me, magnify Me. Stop looking at the situation and look at Me, the only One who is able to fix it."
Remember Peter when he was walking on the water, he began to sink because he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on his problem. Worship Him in the full sense of the word, willingly surrendering to the only One who is able to help us, God Almighty. Our help does not come from technology, it does not come from the doctors, and it does not come from the government. Our help comes from the Lord.

I'm telling you, this will change everything. Our weapons are not carnal but mighty in the hands of God. Our battle is now keeping our eyes on Him and not our circumstances. As we fix our eyes on Him and remember what He has done and why He has done it, our worry will turn to worship and our panic into praise.

The Lord is asking, "Will you will be a weapon in My hand?" He says, "As we dance this dance keep your eyes locked with Mine. Don't look to the right or the left. Don't be concerned about what we are bringing down, or building up. Stay by My side, My bride. Keep gazing on Me and together we will stand in the gap and see My Kingdom come in your life, in your family, and in your region. May I have this dance?"

Yes, Lord. Amen.

Tiffany Ann Lewis
Dancing with the Flame of the Lord Ministries