“I’ve got that joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart!”
I began to giggle and the joy started bubbling up. I think that was the whole plan!

And then we had the following conversation:

“Mary, Mary, quite contrary.”
Oh, Lord! I’m sorry! Why contrary?
“In your thinking”
What way?
“You’re not thinking My thoughts?”
What are You thinking?
“Listen for My heart beat.”
I was quiet for a while and then I said, souls?
“Yes, souls, but more.”
What, Lord?
“Spirits.”

I knew what He meant. Saving souls is important, but this year, I believe He wants me to grow up in my spirit-man with particular emphasis on the fruit of the Holy Spirit. And where I can have an effect on lives around me, concentrate on that area as well.

Just for fun: Here’s a YouTube video of the song He gave me.

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Every now and then, new music impacts me to my core.  I can’t get the songs out of my mind.  They swirl around and dance in my spirit and finally make their way into my heart.  I begin to hum a song in the car or wake up with a snippet in the morning.  This CD album is what has impacted me most this year.  It is a compilation of songs by various award-winning artists on one topic… how the Lord has impacted principal characters of the Bible.  It’s their story – of failures, of dreams, of challenges and of triumphs.

It is my hope and desire that you too will find a special song on this album that cuts you to the quick, that awakens something hidden and deep, and that causes you to be stirred up with a new hope, a new thought, a new challenge, perhaps even a new dream or vision for yourself.

The year ahead can be whatever you choose to make it.  It can be more of the same-o-same-o… or it can be a year of excitement in discovering who you were created to be.  I challenge you to ask the Lord to show you His story in you… in your marriage… in your children… in your careers… in your friends, families, and co-workers.  Take some time this year to soak in His presence and listen to that still small voice.  Breathe Him in and breathe Him out to others this year.

Can you guess my favorite song?  I look forward to hearing about yours.

With love, Mom

Read more about The Story CD and the impact it’s made….

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Breakfast With My King

New Year’s Eve 2011… when I wrote that in my journal, I thought, “This is the year when THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY puts the Mayans and those soothsayers to shame.” This whole year to going to be about Your Divine Order – Your Government – Your Rule!

It WILL be like a world-side Mt. Carmel experience! Your Word will defeat their words. Your prophets will arise under Your mantle, Your shadow, Your wings, Your anointing. I just feel it in my bones, Lord.

You’ve not said this directly to me, but I just sense we’ve hit the bottom and it’s time to rise up with new strength, new vision, new courage, new fortitude. It’s a year for “eyes like flint.”

There is ALWAYS promise in You, Lord… always a brighter day… a smile of love on your face, waiting for us to look up and receive it. I bask in Your glory, Your warmth, Your mercy and compassion, Your approval. Sons and daughters! Arise! Shake off the trials and doubts. Shake off the shame and the slime the enemy has vomited all over you.

The Word! Oh, the Word! Be cleansed by the washing of the Word. Revelation is going to pour out this year. TRUTH will reign supreme because HE is Truth and His truth knocks the socks off any other human or demonic lie.

I love this phrase I heard the other night: “How you see Jesus is how you receive Him.”

Think of that… if I see my Lord as weak in my life, I will be weak. If I see My Lord as Conqueror of the heavens and earth and below the earth, then I am more that a conqueror because He lives in me and I am in Him.

Oh, the glory we will see this year! I can only imagine as the song goes. But, I don’t believe it’s just for “The Great Day.” Oh no, I believe it for now, in this life, in this hour! Oh yes, Lord, I believe! My spirit rejoices, my mind is renewed and expectant, and my body is ready to jump out of its skin. ALIVE!!!! Yes, ALIVE! Every part of me is tingling with expectation. Thank You, Lord. Your promises are new every morning and especially so with every new year.

Afternoon Thoughts

Today’s Proverb struck me. Proverbs 31:22 “She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.”

“fine linen” speaks to me of purity. I immediately thought of last Spring’s “Arm and Hammer” revelation.  I woke up with the phrase going over and over in my head. I went to the Internet and was led to the corporate site for Arm and Hammer Baking Soda. The tag line is “THE STANDARD OF PURITY.” Pharaoh clothed Joseph in garments of fine linen. (Gen 41:42) The bride makes herself ready: Rev 19:8, 14 “And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” “And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.

“purple” speaks to me of royalty. It’s not just my natural position, it’s my supernatural/spiritual position in Christ, because of Christ, through Christ, for eternity. “purple”also reminds me of Lydia in Acts 16:14, who was the first convert and a seller of purple fabrics. She was a business woman, worked in the marketplace. The new Church met in her home. She provided sustenance for Paul.

Evening Thoughts Four of us gathered to celebrate New Years Eve. At the end of dinner we asked the Lord for His word for the year. Mine was SYNCOPATION. I was so shocked by the strange word that I had to get up and get my i-Pad and look up the definition. I had no idea what it meant.

Syncopation

1. shifting or syncopating of the normal accent, usually by stressing the normally unaccented beats.
2. music that is syncopated
3. use of rhetorical stress at variance with the metrical stress of a line of verse
4. contraction of a word by omitting sounds from the middle like e’en for even or ne’er for never

Syncopate – to shift (a musical accent) to a beat that is normally unaccented. Syncope

1. The contraction of a word by omitting one or more sounds from the middle as in a reduction.
2. Brief loss of consciousness associated with transient cerebral anemia as in heart block, sudden lowering of blood pressure, etc. — fainting!

Interpretation I believe it means to let go for the unusual or the unexpected. Things won’t be the usual. Expect the unexpected. New emphasis on things that have been ignored or unimportant.

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Last night I listened to Lisa Bevere talk about lions and lionesses. She explained that lions kill and lionesses hunt and that lionesses always hunt together. We can’t go rogue or we’ll get swallowed. As I was throwing the ball for my dog, I wans thinking about partnerships and relationships. I was asking the Lord to change others. But then I had a singular thought, “Do I need to change, Lord?” I’m open, Lord. I’d like to hear Your thoughts, Your words over me. I don’t want to hold You back in my life. If I need to shift, or move over so You can move in my life, would You please show me?

Daughter, Daughter, Daughter,

Even as you shake your head, I too shake Mine. I’ve told you who you are in Me… in My Word, in My words to you, in those I’ve put in your life. Why do you reject My promises, My affirmations? I don’t give them lightly. Just as you read the other day in Job, I am not a man that I should lie. Believe Me.

You are precious to Me. You are a unique Mary. Even though it is a common name, none of my Marys are the same to Me.

Hold on. Hold on. Breakthrough is coming. The day is coming when you will no longer be cut off. I don’t cut you off. I long to hear all your thoughts, your questions, your musings. I love your curious mind. I yearn to open it up even more — to pour in My revelation — not just for your benefit, but for others.

They will listen! Oh, yes, they will. For your thoughts will be My thoughts. Your ways will be My ways. Oh! It is such an exciting time ahead for you.

Don’t be discouraged. Don’t give in to impatience, frustrations, or even delays. I am perfect. My timing is perfect. Do you trust Me? Yes, yes, you do. Then receive grace to wait. Receive an extra portion of grace to be at peace in the waiting. You don’t need to always hide your feelings. I am listening. I understand. No one understands you like I do. I see all your rivers… every one of them. I am limitless. You are not limited in Me.

So, climb up on My lap. Let’s talk, Daughter. Tell Me your heart hurts and your heart desires. Let’s line them up with Mine for you.

It’s a new day. Soon it will be a new year…. My wonderful year of 2012. Oh, man has his ideas… but mine are so much grander! Think BIG, Mary, think really BIG!

References: Numbers 23:19; Job 9; Isaiah 55:8,9

Rivers: I recently heard on teaching on rivers of living water in our spirit-man. Each river in our spirit is a relationship: daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, mentor, employer, employee, etc. Each relationship has a unique heavenly resource for whatever is needed.

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Lead me, Lord, with instruction. Let me hear You, see You, sense You. Grant me the will to obey You in all things and be ready in all circumstances to respond by Your Spirit in me. Secondly, I ask for Your gifts according to 1 Corinthians 12 — whatever You’ve put in me, mature it in this year. But most especially, Lord, I want to SEE CLEARLY. It’s going to be a busy day today. Help me enjoy my birthday and not be caught up with needs and schedules. Help me to be at peace and enjoy myself. Is there anything You’d like to say, Father?

My Daughter,

You’ve done well these past months in learning patience and endurance. You’ve passed a test of life. These gifts will last your lifetime.

The privilege of your life in Me is beauty. I’ve given you the gift of appreciation. Even as I appreciate individuals and what I’ve placed in them, you see as I see. Every detail is divinely inspired.

My word says that it is the glory of a king to search out a matter. That’s a gift I’ve placed in you, My princess. One day you will be joined to Me as Esther, as My queen, My bride. You will know Me fully.

Look and see! I am in the center of everywhere and everything!

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I was visiting a specialty shoe store that had three separate rooms or stages. The First Room was the Reception or Waiting Room. It had a reception desk and a couch, chairs and tables like any regular reception. Behind the reception desk was a glass wall separating it from the next room.

The Second Room was an elegant parlor. It was beautifully appointed with lovely antiques along the wall with fresh flowers and paintings. It also had another couch with two chairs and a small table. However, this furniture was placed with its back to the reception area. The visitor’s view sitting in this parlor was a beautiful walled rose garden with a fountain. This garden was also behind a large glass window. I was sitting in the reception (First Room) and observed a couple sitting in the Parlor (Second Room).

I saw a door to the left into a Third Room. Above it was a sign that read “Consultation Room.” Individuals sitting in the Parlor were then called into the Third Room to meet with the Shoe Specialist. This room was heavily draped with a view of the garden and a gorgeous crystal chandelier and wall sconces. The chairs were exquisite with beautiful fabric and trim. There was wallpaper on the walls and a tea-table set up with a coffee and tea set and a petit fors tray. THIS was the room you were interviewed to ascertain need, type, use, and given recommendations for your new shoes.

My Interpretation
I believe this dream has to do with ministry and the gifts you “walk in.” It was an honor just to have an appointment in this specialty shoe boutique. Each room seemed to emphasize a growth phase. You were treated like royalty in all three rooms and yet you were not in charge. Instead of being a shopper or “seeker of shoes,” you were sought out and selected to receive these very special shoes, tailor-made and designed just for your feet. No one else could wear your personal shoes.

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Normally I write my challenges, things going on, feelings and people issues, but today I want You to know how much I love You and admire You. I am so grateful for You in my life, in my husband’s, and in our children. You have just GOT to be the center of everything, Lord! I don’t want to waste a day without You in the center. I don’t want to grow older wishing we’d had more time, or I’d listened harder or longer, or done more to be with You.

Please help me to make each moment count. Help me to pray every prayer from my spirit and not my head. I don’t want to come up short, Lord. Whatever it takes, I want these days to be rich with love, laughter, joy, ministry, and effectiveness. Although I am short, I don’t want to come up short!

I love You, my Lord — Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Be in my center — heart, mind, spirit and body. Be in my thoughts, actions, writings, talking. In every way, be in my center. I love You!!

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Our Master is calling for His Reserves to arise and join the ranks. It's war!

As I awoke this morning, I heard “It’s time for the reserves.” I immediately thought of emotional reserves, physical reserves, financial reserves, time reserves and of course the army reserves. I then heard “No reservations. No indecisions. No hesitations.” And finally I heard, “No reservation required.” And then, “As many who were willing gave.”

Exodus 35:21, 29
All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord… v29 So the people of Israel–every man and woman who was eager to help in the work the Lord had given them through Moses–brought their gifts and gave them freely to the Lord.

Acts 4:32, 34
All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. v34 There was no needy among them…

Finally, I heard, “He has set a table before our enemies.” and I knew it was Psalm 23:5.

I looked up the meaning of RESERVE(S) and I realized what the Lord was saying. Take a look at this visual image of the words associated with “reserve”:

What I found astonishing was the very top word associated with reserve: indefinite quantity. Now THAT sounds like our God, doesn’t it? I then began to ask myself, what have I been holding back from Him? from my family? from my church? from whatever is in front of me or of importance in my life? It’s time to dig deep down to the reserves He’s placed inside of me.

We are fast approaching the end of 2011… a year of transition for many of us. I sense a great outpouring, awakening, even revival just around the corner. Breakthrough may be the first stage, but in order to really live it, we must defeat what holds us back from completing the take over and occupy the land He’s given us — wherever it be — in our homes, our neighborhoods, our businesses, our churches, our cities, our nation.

Look at the words associated under reserve: set aside, hold back, reticence, etc. It’s time to arise. No more holding back. Believe in your destiny. Run after it. If you do, you’ll capture the heart of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Join His reserves, NOW!

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YOU are My weapon.
YOU are My living word.
Arise and speak.
Shape your world by the Word of God within you.

As I sat with my bible and my coffee this morning I was struck with a “connected” string of verses as I was turning the pages of Isaiah. As my heart was heavy on a personal matter, I began to write them out one after the other. When I was finished I read them aloud. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” [Romans 10:17]

I’d like to share these verses from my NLT bible with you… perhaps they will help you with your walk today as well:

• The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever. (Is 40:8)
• Haven’t you heard? Don’t you understand? Are you deaf to the words of God–the words he gave before the world began? Are you so ignorant? (Is 40:21)
• But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Is 40:31)
• Who has done such might deeds, summoning each new generation from the beginning of time? It is I, the Lord, the First and the Last. I alone am he.” (Is 41:4)
• Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hole you up with my victorious right hand.
• Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. (Is 43:1b-2)
• But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord. “You are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God–there never has been and there never will be. (Is 43:10)
• But forget all that–it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (Is 43:18,19)
• For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants and my blessing on your children. They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank. (Is 44:3)
• And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness–secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name. (Is 45:3)
• I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found. (Is 45:18b)
• I have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue confess allegiance to me. (Is 45:23)
• Only I can tell you the future before it happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. (Is 46:10)
• Now I will tell you new things, secrets you have not yet heard. They are brand new, not things from the past. (Is 48:6b,7)
• The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name. He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver. (Is 49:1b,2)
• …Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if it were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. (Is 49:15)
• The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding of his will. (Is 50:4)
• My name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely in my hand… (Is 51:15b)
• Wake up, wake up, O Zion! Clothe yourself with strength… (Is 52:1)
• But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. then at least they will recognize that I am the one who speaks to them. How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns. The watchmen shout and sing with joy, for before their very eyes they see the Lord returning to Jerusalem. (Is 52:6-8) (See also, Ps 68)
• Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David. (Is 55:3)
• “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” (Is 55:8)
• It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all that I want it to and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace… (Is 55:11,12)

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After my errand and concentration on something pleasant, as I got back into my car, I realized that I was in a much better mood. Hope—as well as—peace had returned to my spirit. As soon as I got home, I looked up “be of good cheer” and could only find it in the New King James Version. Imagine my total surprise to find the absolute same verses as the ones I’d studied just a few days ago for “Take Courage.” The word for cheer is tharseo and in John 16:33 it is translated “be of good cheer.” Another meaning for the Greek word in this instance is” be of good comfort.” Never in a million years would I have expected the Lord to speak the same word with different applications. WOW! Our Lord IS the same yesterday, today and tomorrow!

Why so cast down, o my soul? Hope thou in God!
Psalm 42:5

1. Matthew 9:2
   Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”
2. Matthew 9:22
   But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.
3. Matthew 14:27
   But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
4. Mark 6:50
   for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
5. Mark 10:49
   So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”
6. Luke 8:48
   And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
7. John 16:33 – today’s verse
   These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
8. Acts 23:11
   But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

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