Since the beginning of this internship, I've experienced the burning of my hair in the natural (see "I'm a burning bush" blog) and in the spirit realm, my flesh has been burning up!!! Wow. One of my fellow interns said it best. She said she thought that she had given her all to Christ until this internship. Now He is exposing all the ugliness of our flesh that is deep seated and deep rooted. The flare ups of irritation, and annoyance that have come almost out of the blue are shocking! And although most of it has been in my mind...UGH!
This week I contracted a horrible cold that has been going around. I got a double portion as my husband was just getting over his and one of my fellow interns (who I spend the most time with) got it a few days before me. I refused to allow it to run it's full 7 day course so as soon as I felt it coming on I began taking shots of Cod Liver Oil. Praise God it only lasted 48 hours for me but I felt like death those 48 hours! I'm only 7 days into this 3 month internship and I've already been blown away by what the Lord is revealing to me concerning the call on my life. Not sure whether to put on my running shoes or just throw myself on His Sacificial Alter. I know, I know...
The sacrificial alter it is, because....better in one day in Your courts, better is one day in Your house. Better in one day in Your courts than thousands elsewhere.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Unable to charge?
For the last few months I have had the dardest issue with my cell phone. I'm sure many of my friends, e3 partners, mentees, and business partners can attest to this. Just in the past few months alone I've gone through about 5 phone chargers, 2 car chargers, dropped my phone in the toilet (not fun), and had cell phone malfunctions where the screen would get "snowy" like a TV with no cable. But, of all the issues, the one that has been most reoccurring has been the message on my screen that says, "Unable to charge."
I don't know how many times I've been fussed out by friends/mentees that haven't been able to reach me and my response to them would be "my phone died." I actually got tired of hearing myself say it. Even as I type this, I am without a charger since I left it on my Tres Dias weekend and am currently in the process of tracking it down. SHEESH! Praise God for the flea market on 41 that sells car chargers for $5 and outlet chargers for $8! My phone has definitely been "under attack", lol.
The Lord gives me a lot of songs/melodies in the wee hours of the morning - in between sleep and fully being awake. So when I wake up, in an effort to not forget, I usually use the voice recording feature on my phone to get them recorded. It has worked like a charm. When I find time, I transpose them onto sheet music and file them until I figure out what I'm supposed to do with them. So when all these phone issues hit I started to get concerned because I absolutely cannot lose the dozens of songs on my phone!
Over the years I've noticed that my phone doesn't keep its charge for long. I can fully charge it but within a few hours it would be beeping at me out of juice! This was a phone that used to be able to hold its charge for days! Now the most bizarre of all the issues was when I'd get the "unable to charge" message. How was it possible that I'd plug my phone in and it would give me that message...?
Well today I felt like the Lord really spoke to me through this issue. I felt Him saying I'm in a time of transition. The things that used to sustain me and carry for a while are no longer going to be as effective. I'm moving into a deeper level that requires more juice. It will simply use up the "charge" more quickly. I can try to plug in to Him every now and then however; I'd be back quickly for more energy for another "charging" session, if you will.
Right now b/c I've lost my latest charger, I'm using my husband’s MP3 charger for my phone. The only catch with it is I can only use my phone while it's plugged in. The second the plug disconnects from the outlet or the phone from the charger my phone shuts down. IS THAT A WORD FROM GOD OR WHAT! He is saying to me - so it is with our relationship. In this new season, isolated charging is not going to be sufficient. So many believers only think about Christ when they attend Sunday service or Wednesday service. Some of the more mature believers only think about Him during church service and during their quiet times. I believe Abba wants to move us all into a place where we are constantly plugged in and constantly aware of His Presence and promptings.
That's a tall order that will only be successful as we pray for grace to be so in tune. Abba loves us so much. He desires for us to be aware of Him ALL DAY LONG, not like that rolled up charger in the corner that you only pull out when you need it.
On another note, I was thinking that when your phone is charging you have limited access with it. If it's plugged into the Living Room outlet you can't walk and talk in the kitchen while your phone is charging. But that's just the protection of Abba isn't? If we would stay plugged into Him at all times we probably wouldn't wind up in places we shouldn't be. He is the outlet, the Source, He'll move when He's ready to. Our job is to simply sit and rest and His feet then follow wherever He leads.
You can only lose track of your charger if you aren't plugged into it. If your phone is plugged into the charger then you always know where your charger is. Since the phone represents your life just think about it. Do you lack direction? Wonder what your purpose is? Confused about the next step? Or do you lack peace? Well then I'd ask where is your "Charger" today? Is it in the Sunday corner? Or was the last time you saw it this morning during your quiet time or last night during your quiet time?
God is so funny! Just now as I was wrapping up He reminded me of the Glade commercial jingle. So that is what I will end this post with today. I encourage us all to, "Plug it in, plug it in..."
I don't know how many times I've been fussed out by friends/mentees that haven't been able to reach me and my response to them would be "my phone died." I actually got tired of hearing myself say it. Even as I type this, I am without a charger since I left it on my Tres Dias weekend and am currently in the process of tracking it down. SHEESH! Praise God for the flea market on 41 that sells car chargers for $5 and outlet chargers for $8! My phone has definitely been "under attack", lol.
The Lord gives me a lot of songs/melodies in the wee hours of the morning - in between sleep and fully being awake. So when I wake up, in an effort to not forget, I usually use the voice recording feature on my phone to get them recorded. It has worked like a charm. When I find time, I transpose them onto sheet music and file them until I figure out what I'm supposed to do with them. So when all these phone issues hit I started to get concerned because I absolutely cannot lose the dozens of songs on my phone!
Over the years I've noticed that my phone doesn't keep its charge for long. I can fully charge it but within a few hours it would be beeping at me out of juice! This was a phone that used to be able to hold its charge for days! Now the most bizarre of all the issues was when I'd get the "unable to charge" message. How was it possible that I'd plug my phone in and it would give me that message...?
Well today I felt like the Lord really spoke to me through this issue. I felt Him saying I'm in a time of transition. The things that used to sustain me and carry for a while are no longer going to be as effective. I'm moving into a deeper level that requires more juice. It will simply use up the "charge" more quickly. I can try to plug in to Him every now and then however; I'd be back quickly for more energy for another "charging" session, if you will.
Right now b/c I've lost my latest charger, I'm using my husband’s MP3 charger for my phone. The only catch with it is I can only use my phone while it's plugged in. The second the plug disconnects from the outlet or the phone from the charger my phone shuts down. IS THAT A WORD FROM GOD OR WHAT! He is saying to me - so it is with our relationship. In this new season, isolated charging is not going to be sufficient. So many believers only think about Christ when they attend Sunday service or Wednesday service. Some of the more mature believers only think about Him during church service and during their quiet times. I believe Abba wants to move us all into a place where we are constantly plugged in and constantly aware of His Presence and promptings.
That's a tall order that will only be successful as we pray for grace to be so in tune. Abba loves us so much. He desires for us to be aware of Him ALL DAY LONG, not like that rolled up charger in the corner that you only pull out when you need it.
On another note, I was thinking that when your phone is charging you have limited access with it. If it's plugged into the Living Room outlet you can't walk and talk in the kitchen while your phone is charging. But that's just the protection of Abba isn't? If we would stay plugged into Him at all times we probably wouldn't wind up in places we shouldn't be. He is the outlet, the Source, He'll move when He's ready to. Our job is to simply sit and rest and His feet then follow wherever He leads.
You can only lose track of your charger if you aren't plugged into it. If your phone is plugged into the charger then you always know where your charger is. Since the phone represents your life just think about it. Do you lack direction? Wonder what your purpose is? Confused about the next step? Or do you lack peace? Well then I'd ask where is your "Charger" today? Is it in the Sunday corner? Or was the last time you saw it this morning during your quiet time or last night during your quiet time?
God is so funny! Just now as I was wrapping up He reminded me of the Glade commercial jingle. So that is what I will end this post with today. I encourage us all to, "Plug it in, plug it in..."
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Revelations
This has certainly been a season of reconnection for me. Finding long lost high school friends, running into folks I haven't seen in years, my best friend moving to GA after 10 years of living in separate states. Tangent - It all hasn't been fun and games though. I'm finding people are struggling, hurting, weary from battle (mental, relationships, spiritual, etc...)
I recently reconnected with an old roommate of mine on Facebook. One day I felt impressed to message her. I'd chatted with her before but this time the Lord was really impressing on me to really talk to her and find out what was going on in her life; bypass the superficial. I sent her my two sentence message and received in return an entire page of what was happening in her life! She desperately needed someone to talk to! What was most surprising was at the end of her long letter she said, "Maybe you have a prophetic word for me?" First of all I had no idea she believed prophetic words let alone knew they what they were b/c of the ignorant religious mindset we had been brought up in, lol. I was sad to disappoint her by telling her no. Then I decided to get bold and exercise my faith. I asked the Lord to give me a word for her.
Long story short, He did and I passed it on and that "word" was the confirmation she was waiting on to completely change directions with her career and catapult her into a deeper walk with God. Talk about being humbled. I almost never emailed her b/c I didn't realize the initial thought was God's prompting me.
Since then, we have committed to be prayer partners believing God for similar breakthroughs and direction. Yesterday while at IHOP I spoke with her over the phone and there was desperation in her voice for direction; the next step she should take. I told her we would press all day for answers. I went in to prayer and the Holy Spirit took me to Psalm 28:2,
"Here my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as lift my hands towards you most Holy Place!"
Wow! With head bowed I started praying that scripture over the both of us. I'm not sure how long it was but when I lifted my head my bible was not longer at Psalm 28:2 but on a completely different page! This time the Lord zoomed me into Psalm 32:8,
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel and watch over you."
He is so faithful! He honors prayers in numbers. When His children cry out together and in unity I believe He accelerates answers and blessings. Do you have a prayer partner? Get one! Or maybe even two! :)
I recently reconnected with an old roommate of mine on Facebook. One day I felt impressed to message her. I'd chatted with her before but this time the Lord was really impressing on me to really talk to her and find out what was going on in her life; bypass the superficial. I sent her my two sentence message and received in return an entire page of what was happening in her life! She desperately needed someone to talk to! What was most surprising was at the end of her long letter she said, "Maybe you have a prophetic word for me?" First of all I had no idea she believed prophetic words let alone knew they what they were b/c of the ignorant religious mindset we had been brought up in, lol. I was sad to disappoint her by telling her no. Then I decided to get bold and exercise my faith. I asked the Lord to give me a word for her.
Long story short, He did and I passed it on and that "word" was the confirmation she was waiting on to completely change directions with her career and catapult her into a deeper walk with God. Talk about being humbled. I almost never emailed her b/c I didn't realize the initial thought was God's prompting me.
Since then, we have committed to be prayer partners believing God for similar breakthroughs and direction. Yesterday while at IHOP I spoke with her over the phone and there was desperation in her voice for direction; the next step she should take. I told her we would press all day for answers. I went in to prayer and the Holy Spirit took me to Psalm 28:2,
"Here my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as lift my hands towards you most Holy Place!"
Wow! With head bowed I started praying that scripture over the both of us. I'm not sure how long it was but when I lifted my head my bible was not longer at Psalm 28:2 but on a completely different page! This time the Lord zoomed me into Psalm 32:8,
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel and watch over you."
He is so faithful! He honors prayers in numbers. When His children cry out together and in unity I believe He accelerates answers and blessings. Do you have a prayer partner? Get one! Or maybe even two! :)
I'm a burning bush!
Last weekend I had the amazing pleasure of serving at the Womens Tres Dias of North GA #107. I thought going through the weekend myself in January was life-changing! Well serving on one was even more of a blessing!
One evening, in a daze, after a busy day a group of us were asked to join our leader and all the other women in the chapel. Our leader had something important she wanted all of us to hear. The room was packed and as we were the last group to arrive we lined the back wall. Some stood, some sat on the floor including myself. I shifted on the floor to get more comfy and in the process caught the eye of the worship leader to my right. She had the most peculiar look on her face! A look of utter shock mixed with speechlessness and horror! I looked to my left to catch a glimpse of what she was looking at! In a instant I had about 4 ladies swatting at me or more accurately, my hair. Since my hair was styled in a poofy Afro pulled away from my face, I had somehow leaned a little too close to a lit votive candle that was on the window sill. It didn't truly hit me until the stench of burning hair hit the entire room. After my hair and the candle was put out I slumped back down onto the floor(sorry for ruining the ambiance ladies.) When I closed my eyes I saw the numbers 3 and 18. I made a mental note to look into that. By then all the commotion had interrupted our leader's talk and everyone was looking at me asking if I was okay. I was so tired, I don't think what happened truly sunk in, lol. When our leader asked what was going on, the worship leader said, "Just the devil's butt!" Did I just get called a devil's butt? LOL. The whole moment was surreal. Our group, being the last in, was also the first out to allow us to get back to what we were doing.
One major lesson the Lord has really impressing on me lately is that everything has a purpose. Immediately following this rescue drama everyone kept asking me if I was okay. In my tired, dry humor I just kept saying, "Yeah. I was just on fire, that's all." All kinds of jokes and laughter ensued because now everyone knew I was okay. It was funny for about an hour and then I started to get a little somber. I began hearing the worship leader's comment over and over in my head, "Oh just the devils butt." I know she wasn't insulting me or putting me down. It was just a commentary on the enemy's scheme to distract us during such an important talk. Still...I was deeply troubled. I cried out to Abba. "Why would You allow that to happen? Why did You allow the enemy to use me that way? You're teaching me there's a purpose in everything so what was the purpose of THAT!!!" I kept pondering as I washed up and got ready for bed. As I laid in bed my Faithful Father spoke, "Burning Bush." I started laughing to myself at our private joke. I was a burning bush!! God is so funny. Still I pressed deeper for meaning and He immediately reminded me of the numbers He showed me- 3 and 18. I made a mental note to look up some bible references in the morning, but God had other plans. I tossed and turned for 20 minutes and couldn't fall asleep and knew He wanted me to look it up NOW. Since my roomies were asleep I did't want to disturb them, and I remembered there was a bible on the table in the hallway. I made a beeline for it.
Out to the hall my buddy was sitting there with a bag of Doritos, lol! She was hungry but didn't want to keep anyone up with all the crunching as it was well after midnight. TC is hilarious! I grabbed the bible, we shared Doritos, and I shared with her all God was showing me. Together we tried to solve the mystery. I must have flipped to 5 or 6 six different 3:18 verses..nothing clicked. Finally TC says, "Well..what book of the bible is the burning bush in?" AH-HA Exodus!! See, you don't have to be smart...just surround yourself with smart people :) I quickly flipped there and read. My mouth just dropped open:
"The elders of Israel will listen to you. Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, 'The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God.' - Exodus 3:18
Whoa! Here I was on a three day retreat that's all about drawing nearer to Christ and experiencing Him personally. We too were separating ourselves by taking a 3 day journey, removing ourselves from the enemy and life's distractions (going out into the desert so to speak.) We're all were making sacrifices to the Lord through worship and purging ourselves of whatever He revealed to us! Oh, by the way, keep in mind that the theme verse for the weekend was Isaiah 43:18-19 which reads:
Do not call to mind the former things,
Or ponder things of the past.
Behold, I will do something new,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert.
I continued to read past Exodus 3:18 to the end of the chapter...
18 "The elders of Israel will listen to you. Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, 'The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God.' 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.
21 "And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed. 22 Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians."
Wow! We were in the "desert" now on a 3 day journey, indeed. Our sole purpose was to meet with the Lord and offer Him our sacrifices as well as ALL our burdens. In the passage, Israel is called to confront the Egyptian leaders (Egypt usually symbolizes sin or bondage.) The ladies as well as those serving were called to confront all the bondage's and sin, leave it behind so we could go meet with the Lord. I began thinking about what all these women, wives, mothers, and working women had to battle just to get there that weekend.
19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.
Here's the cool part. In these verses God called the enemy to bless His people! It was a God retreat for the Israelites, but the enemy was footing the bill! LOOK!
21 "And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed. 22 Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians."
As TC and I sat there reading we just stared at each other mouths open (Dorito-free praise God, lol). How good is my God? He used me as a sign to confirm that we were all supposed to be there, that we were in the center of His will.
I'm reminded of a couple that God placed in my path after losing contact with one another for years. We reconnected a few months ago. My friend said that God told her to call me for advice/prayer over some issues in her life and towards the end of the conversation she said, "I know this sounds weird but I really feel like I need to go on a retreat. Do you know of any retreats coming up!?" LOL. I had just completed my own Tres Dias weekend in January and I was all too excited to sponsor her and her hubby. Well, the seed was planted but the enemy was quick to choke it out with distractions/oppression and lies. Unfortunately they never made it to their weekend.
19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.
I'm learning that the Lord sets it all up for us. He opens the doors if we'll just walk through them. He's still establishing "burning bushes" in our individual lives all the time if we'll just be vigilant and sober enough to recognize them; if we simply keep our eyes openly expecting them. If we simply press in to Him. If we simply use discernment and not believe the lies of the enemy. God desires an extremely intimate relationship with all of us. He's not far away, He's not pointing a finger, He's actually speaking to us all today and every day. Are we listening? That prompting to call someone? Not a coincidence. DO IT! It could mean life or death. That prompting to read a scripture. DO IT! It may change the entire course of your life!
This past weekend I walked away with many new nicknames:
Hunka hunka burning love
Michael Jackson (Remember that Pepsi commercial, lol)
But my favorite is the one that the Lord gave me - Burning Bush. I want to be a burning bush. A sign and wonder for my generation, a light that may help someone to the next place God has for them or simply draw them one step closer to God.
Are you a burning bush? Want to be one? The Lord invites us all to "come away" with Him. It may not be a three day journey but how about starting with a 20 minute quiet time today if you've never done that before...
He is so Lovely...
Monday, August 25, 2008
Me!?! An intern?
“I believe there are people in this room that are going to be a part of this internship and they don't even know it yet.”
That phrase spoken at IHOP Cartersville on July 19th by Pastor Rocky not only rocked my world but also began the fulfillment of MANY prophetic words spoken over me in 2008 alone. I was there that night b/c I was asked to help lead worship/join an intercessory set from 8-10pm. The Spirit was moving and Rocky called us all to our knees to pray and cry out, and a prophetic spirit swept over the room. At one point Pastor Rocky asked all the people considering the fall internship to stand so we could all pray over them. About 4 stood up. And that’s when he spoke the one sentence that changed the course of my life. I KNEW the Lord was talking to me but I could not wrap my brain around all that it encompassed. After all I'm 28! No one does an internship at 28 years old. IT'S UNHEARD OF! Objection #2: I'm married. Who ever heard of a married intern!? I quickly tried to stomp out the madness that was trying to overtake my mind. But God wouldn't let me be; I was working myself into a frenzy trying to argue with God. I needed to talk to someone PRONTO! God sent Connie to me and within 5 minutes she squashed all my objections. By the end of the conversation I knew I was going to be applying to be an IHOP Cartersville intern. The deadline was in 2 weeks and God made it abundantly clear this was His will.
My first order of business was to get Chris' blessing/confirmation. Knowing my husband, who is a processor and analyzer, he would need more than two weeks to figure this out. So I told him there was a big decision I need him to prayer over. I asked him to seek God for the next two weeks and I needed a "yes" or "no" by August 1st since the application deadline was August 3rd. I gave him no details and just asked him to pray. That way, he wouldn't get bogged down with the hows and whys but just seek God's Face and Will.
While Chris prayed the Lord took me on a journey of my own a journey of confirmation and revelation. He brought me to a few prophetic words I received just the month before, June. Now I received every single one of these prophetic words before I ever knew IHOP Cartersville even existed!
June 1, 2008
“I just felt over you that you have a grace before the Lord to open up the gates with praise. I just felt like the Lord was speaking over you that you have grace to open up gates. And it’s out of the overflow of your praise to Him that will begin to shift things in the heavens. And, also I felt that you have boldness in the Lord, confidence in Him. You know Him, He knows you. Heaven knows your name and you can step out in faith... there’s a passage in Micah that talks about the breaker, the Lord being the breaker. And there’s a breaker anointing on you. It’s out of your voice, out of the overflow of your heart speaking truth of who He is and declarations in the midst of circumstances or in the midst of, you know, family situations… out of that place of praise it begins to shift the atmosphere and lives of people...you have such a grace to shift with your voice.”
“…He’s saying that your voice is sweet. That’s in the Song of Solomon. That your voice is sweet and I feel like He’s gonna move things on behalf of your voice. That when you sing, there’s great authority in your voice and in your singing. I don’t really know if you have the gift of singing, if you’re good at it or not. But when you sing He’s gonna move things on behalf of your voice.”
June 4, 2008
“I see you being in a school, actually. And God says He’s gonna take you to get more training also, but God says it’s not gonna be the usual thing. He says that He's gonna take you to places to get training that is necessary but it’ll be a quick thing. It will be something that will be accelerated. It will be a fast track thing… God says that He’s gonna connect you with people that you need to be connected with in order for you to see the fulfillment of those things. And God says this is that time of impartation for you.”
June 6, 2008
“… there is a mantle of deliverance upon your life that you’re going to begin to even lead worship and you’re gonna lead even a mighty warrior anointing…
And you’re gonna begin to even see that there’s going to be a tapping in of even the equipping and training to be a watchman/intercessor and one that begins to even intertwine that with worship. And I just keep hearing, “Decrees through song” that is gonna begin to even set free the many generations and even the land that’s been crying out because you have been placed geographically in a place and in a region that has even … experienced much injustice and much things that have held back the land from even prospering and going forth and that’s why you’re seeing some of the real estate areas not pushing and thriving like they should be. It’s because of the bondage that’s attached to the land. And even businesses that constantly fail, businesses that don’t seem to go forth.
"Daughter, know that I’m going to be One that causes you to be one who decrees and declares over the land a breakthrough and a coming forth of mighty winds of change within the place that you’re at. Daughter, just like I said to Esther, if you don’t step out then I’m gonna cause another one to rise up!” - end of prophetic words.
I should also mention that every one of these prophetic words spoken over me were given by men/women who had just met me 10 seconds prior to their delivery.
When the Lord got through reminding me what He had already spoken over me I was speechless!! If there was any more doubt in my mind it was completely squashed. Friday morning, August 1st, Chris looks at me and says, "If you are praying about the IHOP internship, then the Lord says 'Proceed.' If you’re not praying about the IHOP internship...then I don’t know what to tell you." I was completely floored and peace just flowed over me. How in the WORLD did he know!? Getting the confirmation from my husband and the blessing from my Husband just filled my heart with joy, excitement, and anticipation..... And on August 19th I started an Intro to IHOP internship at IHOP Cartersville!
I'm still learning not to put God in a box. I cannot even come close to explaining how excited I am about the next 3 months of my life. Chris and I are so very excited to watch the abundant blessings unfold.
That phrase spoken at IHOP Cartersville on July 19th by Pastor Rocky not only rocked my world but also began the fulfillment of MANY prophetic words spoken over me in 2008 alone. I was there that night b/c I was asked to help lead worship/join an intercessory set from 8-10pm. The Spirit was moving and Rocky called us all to our knees to pray and cry out, and a prophetic spirit swept over the room. At one point Pastor Rocky asked all the people considering the fall internship to stand so we could all pray over them. About 4 stood up. And that’s when he spoke the one sentence that changed the course of my life. I KNEW the Lord was talking to me but I could not wrap my brain around all that it encompassed. After all I'm 28! No one does an internship at 28 years old. IT'S UNHEARD OF! Objection #2: I'm married. Who ever heard of a married intern!? I quickly tried to stomp out the madness that was trying to overtake my mind. But God wouldn't let me be; I was working myself into a frenzy trying to argue with God. I needed to talk to someone PRONTO! God sent Connie to me and within 5 minutes she squashed all my objections. By the end of the conversation I knew I was going to be applying to be an IHOP Cartersville intern. The deadline was in 2 weeks and God made it abundantly clear this was His will.
My first order of business was to get Chris' blessing/confirmation. Knowing my husband, who is a processor and analyzer, he would need more than two weeks to figure this out. So I told him there was a big decision I need him to prayer over. I asked him to seek God for the next two weeks and I needed a "yes" or "no" by August 1st since the application deadline was August 3rd. I gave him no details and just asked him to pray. That way, he wouldn't get bogged down with the hows and whys but just seek God's Face and Will.
While Chris prayed the Lord took me on a journey of my own a journey of confirmation and revelation. He brought me to a few prophetic words I received just the month before, June. Now I received every single one of these prophetic words before I ever knew IHOP Cartersville even existed!
June 1, 2008
“I just felt over you that you have a grace before the Lord to open up the gates with praise. I just felt like the Lord was speaking over you that you have grace to open up gates. And it’s out of the overflow of your praise to Him that will begin to shift things in the heavens. And, also I felt that you have boldness in the Lord, confidence in Him. You know Him, He knows you. Heaven knows your name and you can step out in faith... there’s a passage in Micah that talks about the breaker, the Lord being the breaker. And there’s a breaker anointing on you. It’s out of your voice, out of the overflow of your heart speaking truth of who He is and declarations in the midst of circumstances or in the midst of, you know, family situations… out of that place of praise it begins to shift the atmosphere and lives of people...you have such a grace to shift with your voice.”
“…He’s saying that your voice is sweet. That’s in the Song of Solomon. That your voice is sweet and I feel like He’s gonna move things on behalf of your voice. That when you sing, there’s great authority in your voice and in your singing. I don’t really know if you have the gift of singing, if you’re good at it or not. But when you sing He’s gonna move things on behalf of your voice.”
June 4, 2008
“I see you being in a school, actually. And God says He’s gonna take you to get more training also, but God says it’s not gonna be the usual thing. He says that He's gonna take you to places to get training that is necessary but it’ll be a quick thing. It will be something that will be accelerated. It will be a fast track thing… God says that He’s gonna connect you with people that you need to be connected with in order for you to see the fulfillment of those things. And God says this is that time of impartation for you.”
June 6, 2008
“… there is a mantle of deliverance upon your life that you’re going to begin to even lead worship and you’re gonna lead even a mighty warrior anointing…
And you’re gonna begin to even see that there’s going to be a tapping in of even the equipping and training to be a watchman/intercessor and one that begins to even intertwine that with worship. And I just keep hearing, “Decrees through song” that is gonna begin to even set free the many generations and even the land that’s been crying out because you have been placed geographically in a place and in a region that has even … experienced much injustice and much things that have held back the land from even prospering and going forth and that’s why you’re seeing some of the real estate areas not pushing and thriving like they should be. It’s because of the bondage that’s attached to the land. And even businesses that constantly fail, businesses that don’t seem to go forth.
"Daughter, know that I’m going to be One that causes you to be one who decrees and declares over the land a breakthrough and a coming forth of mighty winds of change within the place that you’re at. Daughter, just like I said to Esther, if you don’t step out then I’m gonna cause another one to rise up!” - end of prophetic words.
I should also mention that every one of these prophetic words spoken over me were given by men/women who had just met me 10 seconds prior to their delivery.
When the Lord got through reminding me what He had already spoken over me I was speechless!! If there was any more doubt in my mind it was completely squashed. Friday morning, August 1st, Chris looks at me and says, "If you are praying about the IHOP internship, then the Lord says 'Proceed.' If you’re not praying about the IHOP internship...then I don’t know what to tell you." I was completely floored and peace just flowed over me. How in the WORLD did he know!? Getting the confirmation from my husband and the blessing from my Husband just filled my heart with joy, excitement, and anticipation..... And on August 19th I started an Intro to IHOP internship at IHOP Cartersville!
I'm still learning not to put God in a box. I cannot even come close to explaining how excited I am about the next 3 months of my life. Chris and I are so very excited to watch the abundant blessings unfold.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
New discoveries
Just when you think you know what He's doing, He seemingly changes directions.
The last few month have been very adventurous for me. I am discovering God in newer ways and at a deeper level than I even knew was possible for me! He is so good and desires an intimate relationship with us all.
One of the greatest things I've discovered in the last few months has been IHOP. No, not the pancakes, but the International House of Prayer. It's a prayer movement that is bringing the Church where it needs to be; and that is on our knees. Initially it sounds boring but I encourage everyone to find out if there is an IHOP near their city and GO.
In Georgia, we have the Atlanta IHOP (which is actually in Lawrenceville), I heard there's one in Macon and there's one in Cartersville. IHOP is a 24/7 place of worship and prayer. At all times there are designated "watchman on the wall" interceeding for their city, generation, nations, local churches, social injustices like Human Trafficing and abortion. IHOP fights these cultural wars on their knees. It's an amazingly powerful movement. You can go to the prayer room and have your own quiet time with the Lord, join the worship going on and if there's an intercessory set taking palce feel free to grab the mike and pray a prayer over whatever God has laid on your heart.
I'm just so excited that is taking place to remind all of us what our most powerful weapon is..Prayer. Some IHOP's have live webstreaming. Get a taste and see that it is good! ;)
www.ihop.org
www.ihop-atlanta.com
www.ihopcartersville.com
The last few month have been very adventurous for me. I am discovering God in newer ways and at a deeper level than I even knew was possible for me! He is so good and desires an intimate relationship with us all.
One of the greatest things I've discovered in the last few months has been IHOP. No, not the pancakes, but the International House of Prayer. It's a prayer movement that is bringing the Church where it needs to be; and that is on our knees. Initially it sounds boring but I encourage everyone to find out if there is an IHOP near their city and GO.
In Georgia, we have the Atlanta IHOP (which is actually in Lawrenceville), I heard there's one in Macon and there's one in Cartersville. IHOP is a 24/7 place of worship and prayer. At all times there are designated "watchman on the wall" interceeding for their city, generation, nations, local churches, social injustices like Human Trafficing and abortion. IHOP fights these cultural wars on their knees. It's an amazingly powerful movement. You can go to the prayer room and have your own quiet time with the Lord, join the worship going on and if there's an intercessory set taking palce feel free to grab the mike and pray a prayer over whatever God has laid on your heart.
I'm just so excited that is taking place to remind all of us what our most powerful weapon is..Prayer. Some IHOP's have live webstreaming. Get a taste and see that it is good! ;)
www.ihop.org
www.ihop-atlanta.com
www.ihopcartersville.com
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