"Burr, come out in Jesus' Name!"

You know, sometimes the Lord just smiles at our childlike faith.  I was chatting with a friend exchanging prayer requests and on a side note mentioned the piece of a burr that imbedded itself in my hand today. Immediately responding with, a little prayer I looked at my hand and had an idea. With my hand not 5 inches from my face, eyes locked on the burr, I pointed at it saying, "burr, come out of my hand now in Jesus' name!!!" Waiting and watching I half expected it to do as I commanded, and half figured it wouldn't, but it was in that moment that the Lord broke in with power!

Although I was in Thailand and couldn't watch the SuperBowl game last year, someone forwarded this commercial to me. And as I was sitting there, commanding this little burr to get out of my hand, the Lord brought me back to it. 

I confess that I neglect (and sometimes refuse) to pray the "little" prayers which come to mind throughout the day. And to be honest, it's often been out of the fear of man. If you'd have seen me trying to command this little burr out of my hand, you'd have laughed, and that wouldn't have bothered me. But somewhere in my journey I allowed the enemy to build this fear of man in the form of being afraid of looking childish. Taking what the Lord gave me as a gift, a wisdom and maturity beyond my years, the devil schemed to distort it and make it a thorn of fear, shame and regret. 

Tonight as I sat in the comfort of my own room, boldly speaking to the thorn to come out - the Lord did just that. He took me to the 1 minute story of a child who was trying to do something out of his own will and power, who looked cute, but was ultimately powerless. Through the father's delight in encouraging his son, the child was filled with joy and awe as the awareness of his authority was strengthened! 

Now, the burr did not come out, nor did the little boy have the powers to turn the car on, but what God revealed was just a glimpse of His delight in me and how He loves my childlike faith! I think sometimes God, Holy Spirit, and Jesus just giggle a little together seeing our reaction to when they answer our silly little prayers. For example, had that burr physically come up out of my skin while I was watching - my reaction would have probably had Him nudging Holy Spirit and winking at Jesus while they laughed. The fact that I would boldly enter His throne room, asking for the simplest of things, brightens His day and to me, that's amazing!  When we realize how much He desires to have a place in the smallest areas of our ordinary, silly, childish lives, then we can truly be transformed by the love He has for us.  

My thorn has been removed, and though the burr is not out, it will joyfully me remind me of His Delight in my Childlike Faith for the next few days - and that is 100% fine by me! 

"And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them." (Mark 10:13-16 ESV) 

Love Always

Holocaust Remembrance Day

I've heard stories of people who are still just finding out they are of Jewish ancestry - whose surviving relatives have been too afraid, angry and hurt to share with their family, children, grandchildren, that they members of God's chosen people. They are Jewish, and they have lived through hell on earth. With only a few survivors still alive it is important to remember what has changed history forever. My friend Lucy said it well, "we don't pray for the dead, we pray for the living." Pray for those survivors to encounter the Love of God, and through it allow forgiveness in their hearts to overcome them. That they might have life, and have it abundantly.

צפירת זיכרון ‪‪Holocaust Remembrance Day‬‬ Siren 2012

Peter Loth is a survivor of 2 holocausts, who was born in a German concentration camp and lived through the KKK's "nazi-like" reign in America. After having an encounter with God he learned the grace of forgiveness and through this, has been blessed with an astounding international ministry helping others to accept forgiveness through his own testimony! I had the privilege of meeting this man and hearing his powerful testimony a couple months ago, and I will never forget it. So in honor of today, Holocaust Remembrance Day, I included the link to a recording of his presentation in 2008, and although it's long, would strongly encourage you to make the time to watch it. This will be an invaluable use of an hour and will surely be the tool for the Lord to forever change your heart, if you let it. 

Peter Loth Born in and Survived the Holocaust

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

(John 10:9-11 ESV)

Love Always

Home Sweet Home!

It's been a week and a half since the internship at the International House of Prayer (IHOP-KC) ended and I returned home! Hardly believe it myself as I have been coming to terms with the fact that it is in fact, April, and not February. Home has been wonderful and I feel so blessed to be here at this time and having not much more on my plate than resting, spending time with family and meeting our new family member, Gunner! It has been so needed as I really haven't had an opportunity to rest since summer 2010. I've found that I'm sleeping more than usual and while it was a little puzzling at first, a woman I met put it well saying, "there is something about being home after a long voyage that just puts you at ease, and you find yourself able to do things that you hadn't in a long time." It's so true - I now have time to rest, to read my Bible on my own time, and I've also taken up writing chapters of the Bible to begin a cover-to-cover study/read through of the Word. Things I hadn't been able to do while staffing with YWAM or interning at IHOP, but now I've got all day to do - Praise the Lord for rest! 

Last week I had an interview at Christ's Haven for Kids, a sort of privately owned foster care/children's home, for a summer rec job. My mom already works for them and my younger sister too, volunteers at their horse barns, and the three of us live here on the campus. It was not certain that I would get the job and the week before returning home it seemed over and over that things would not work out, but upon the interview I was hired on the spot and now will have a steady summer job! It's going to be great working with about 20-25 kids aged 7-17 every day this summer AND getting to do devotions with them as it is a Christian organization, and I'm getting paid to do it! Bondye Bon! ("God is Good" in Haitian Creole)

Easter weekend I had four girls from IHOP-KC come down and stay with me to attend TheEstherCall, Dallas. It was a 2 day women's conference where women gathered from all over the US and even some internationals, standing up as Esther's in this day and age. Together these women were standing in courage and boldness, speaking out against the murder of millions of babies that society calls Abortion. Starting with several hundred women gathering in front of the Dallas courthouse (where Roe v. Wade was passed, legalizing abortion in America) to several thousand gathered at the convention center it was an awe-inspiring day. To see thousands of women, who had an abortion(s) themselves or who had been affected by abortion in other ways, fasting and praying together for HOURS - I've never seen anything like it. I'll be writing more about the conference and how I got to serve these women soon, so be on the look out! 

Sunday morning I attended Gateway's Easter service and was moved by the teaching on the three absolute truths of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for our salvation: He died, He was buried, and He is Risen! After the service there was an alter call, as is usual on Easter sundays, but this time I was truly moved. As about 40-50 people came down to the front, making a physical statement that they were receiving Christ as their Lord and Savior, I began feeling the joy of the Lord for the souls being saved. Though I have seen and been apart of many salvation prayers, this time the reality of what was going on just hit me in a deep and tender way. As my heart swelled for the new brothers and sisters I was receiving and cheering on, tears of joy filled my eyes and I just wanted to run down and hug every single one of them! It was amazing seeing the church, this service probably holding a good 2,000 people, praising the Lord and cheering the 50 people as they walked to the front! Yes, Lord - I know you desire every man, woman, and child on the face of the earth to be your sons and daughters. I know how happy this Easter sunday made you, and I know that every day there are more and more coming into your kingdom, I want to be apart of it! Here I am, God, take all of me and use me to the furthering of your kingdom and the declaring of Your great Name among the nations! 

Love Always