God's God, I'm not. Hallelujah!

We are not unaware of the enemy's schemes.
If there is something that God is calling you to do, it's pretty possible that Satan will try everything in his might to make you not do it. Good thing we're not afraid of satan around here! We have nothing to fear because we serve a God who is FEARLESS and who lives IN us, so He gives us His FEARLESSNESS as well! Hallelujah!
A group of us went to do a meeting at Homestead (a women's recovery home for drug-addicts) last Tuesday evening. I felt like crap on the way there, totally flustered, and not in a place where I felt that I had anything to offer the Lord, or others, for that matter. Nothing had gone right all day, and I was supposed to come to this place and tell these women about Jesus' love, when I was in the farthest place from love I had been in a while.
But, we ended up getting there 1/2 hour early, and prayed. The Lord moved during the service, and afterwards we got to pray with a few ladies, and worship a little more...it's difficult to express in words sometimes, but when God shows up, and you are blessed because of it, you know it. Plain and simple. Thank you Jesus for showing your strength through my weakness once again!

Testimony

I kind of bailed on my testimony at grad. I didn't want to share anything personal. I didn't want to say what God had done. So now I want to give it another shot. Here. For you, my friends, family, and comrades in the fight (who are my spiritual friends and family). But first, a word of encouragement;

I asked Jesus what our session had to pass on to Holy Terror for this next season of War College, and I heard "Endurance." The Martyrs have fought together, gone through Refiner's Fire together, and come out the other side. Satan is going to try and steal the victorys from this year, and throw things in our path that we don't need to take up again. Please, comrades, warriors coming in as well as those moving on to new fronts;
"We pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned;
Struck down but not destroyed;
We are BLESSED BEYOND THE CURSE for His promise will endure,
and His Joy's gonna be our strength;
Though the sorrow may last for the night,
His JOY comes in the morning...." (see 2 Cor 4:8,9)

Remember, Martyrs, that "we who are alive are ALWAYS being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal boday. So then, death is at work in us, but LIFE is at work in you!" (2 Cor 4:11,12)


Now for the testimony;
The reason I wanted to share what I heard, was because I didn't know that I heard God before this year. I knew OTHER people heard God, in the Bible, or some of my friends at times, but me? Never! The Word says "you do not have because you do not ask"....so I asked. I heard. God speaks. He speaks today, and He speaks to me. Hallelujah!

This year has been a year of much crushing; much pressing, much stretching.
Two things I learned about myself; I love to sing, and I love to love people.
I also learned that my stubbornness, my insecurity and my pride too often get in the way of loving others to my fullest potential.
I learned the importance of true community, honesty, and transparency...which in most cases, doesn't make you look very good most of the time!
I'm still learning how to see myself in SOBER judgement, not puffed up, not beat up, but a sober, honest reflection of body/soul/spirit, willing to work WITH Jesus on the flabby areas, and allowing Him to love me through the process.
It's been a year of fire, and death, and it's been good. Hallelujahweh!!

holiness....

Holiness: what is it? Is it what holy people do when they're sitting in a room somewhere being 'holy'? Is it going to church once a week listening to some guy tell you how dirty you are, or is it simply agreeing with God about who you are all the time?? hmmmmmm.....

The last week in a glimpse

Been home, saw the family, saw the kids, visited with friends in small quantities, then flew to Van. This week has been great, getting back in touch with everyone, cliff jumping at Lynn Valley, ultimate frisbee and soccer on the astroturf, gelatos with Xander and the girls, barbecues and late night chats, intense worship, and the same old smells of BC bud, urine and garbage that I had grown so accustomed to over the year.
Went to a Benny Hinn Crusade last night, and was blown away not by the healings (which he's known for), but for the authority with which he preached the Gospel of Christ, and over a 1000 people that were saved through his ministry. Here's a few golden nuggets (as Steve would call them!) from the evening:

"Seek the Healer, not the healing."
"I wouldn't give one second without Jesus for all the money in the world."
"There will be a religious revival, but Jesus will not be in it."
"Dark times are coming, and only the holy will be safe."
"Healing and Salvation are twins; the front of the cross for salvation, the back for healing" ("For He was pierced for our transgressions, and by His wounds, we are healed" Isaiah 8, I believe)
"Jesus IS God Almighty"

homeward bound...

Heading on a bus to Ontario in 10 minutes...long time, overnight, but it will be good all the same! I'm looking forward to see my family again...leaving Bangor is not so hard, since I know I'm coming back....leaving Vancouver in a month will be a different story, I imagine, as will be the visit home...again...!