Hello Prayer Warriors! 

I’m coming online with a prayer request of my own. My prayer request is all about the new season of my life I am entering into. Woudl you please agree withme in prayer that I would be able to pay for a trip to Redding, California and Bethel Church within th next year. I want to pay for my husband or a friend to go with me to Redding to experience the supernaturally creative atmosphere that has been cultivated there. 

I have partaken of their ministries including their Supernatural School of Creativity Seminar from 2011, and have been so inspired and blessed. Still, I also know there is an impartation that takes place within the atmosphere one experience when you attend in person verses when you partake by video. 

Pray for Provision, God’s Timing and His perfect will to be accomplished in every way! 

Blessings, M

With Pink Impact | A Christian Women’s Conference upon us, I thought I would lament on All Things PINK!

As Gateway Women, we are PINK! Pink at Gateway Church is not a color. IT is a realm of influence for women to step into. Think about the following words that Pastor Debbie and her team have brought to us to describe the Pink woman:

First of all the WORD “PINK” can be defined: the very embodiment (to give a body to (a spirit) : highest degree possible : height — in the pink : in the best of health or condition

Pink Women are also…

PASSIONATE. capable of, affected by, or expressing intense feeling; enthusiastic, ardent

POSITIONED.   an act of placing or arranging:  an arranging in order; place, situation, or standing: a situation that confers advantage or preference

PURPOSEFUL. meaningful, intentional; full of determination

POWERFUL. having great ability to act or produce an effect, prestige, or influence

POISED. having been put into readiness;  to have already been drawn up into readiness 

(Definitions taken from Merriam-Webster Online)

To be PINK is a call to a higher position or level of influence in your life as a woman whether it is in the marketplace, your church, the PTA at your child’s school or in your very own neighborhood. To be PINK is to be shaped, fashioned and positioned by God’s excellent nature for the powerful purpose of His greater calling on your life!

A PINK Woman is the very embodiment of God’s Spirit. She is a woman of the highest degree, she seeks to be in the best health and condition emotionally, spiritually and physically! She is enthusiastic and ardent, passionate in her pursuit of God and her God-given identity that draws her to her purpose. Because she knows her identity, she is meaningful and intentional, she is full of determination in the purpose for which she finds herself uniquely designed and fit to accomplish.

She is specifically placed and arranged in order – this makes her very effective. Not only this, she values her position and takes her place in the body. She seizes the moment with great effect. She is a woman of influence and is confident. Her feet are shod in readiness. She is well equipped and prepared to face not only the daily challenges of balancing her family, work and spiritual life, but also to stand in the face of the most difficult circumstance taking responsibility, holding herself in dignity and acting on behalf of herself or others in ways that reflect the Spirit and nature of God at work within her.

You see… You don’t have to be a member of Gateway Church to THINK PINK! The only qualification is God’s Spirit at work in YOU as a WOMAN. Rise up Women of God and THINK! PINK! Make a positive difference in the world around you for the Kingdom of God!

I. AM. PINK. 

For more information on PINK! Gateway Church’s Ministry for women visit pink.gatewaypeople.com 

There is a picture that hangs in my creative space of our home.

I purchased it last Spring because it reminds me of the “safe place” I got when I meet with God. My “safe place” is a farm house set in a valley harvest field of wheat. The house is old and being restored, it has a large wrap around front porch with clapboard siding.

Rocking chairs grace the front porch and I am not allowed to go inside yet because God has been restoring my house. I love that picture. I love the warmth – the sun always shines there and the breeze always blows. On my second or third visit God the Father planted a host of flowers all around the house for me, and Jesus showed me around behind the house. A garden oasis waited with refreshing water and a cool, inviting atmosphere. I’ve seen the inside of the house when Jesus opened the door and gave me a peek inside. I felt joy in my heart knowing He is doing a special work in my life through this place. I often think… I honestly believe when I get to Heaven this will be my “room” in the Mansion Kingdom.

Jesus and I play on the porch – we play jacks and dance, oh how we dance. Sometimes He comes in a prince’s royal uniform and other times he comes in a t-shirt and jeans. He always come as Jesus though. He meets me near the edge of the field each time and walks with me.

Today I’m going to share a journal entry from one of my “safe place” visits:

January 29, 2012

I stepped off the gravel path into Daddy’s wheat field. The tall golden stalks of wheat brushed against my thighs as I met my King among the harvest. 

He stood a few paces ahead of me as the ripening grain swayed lazily in the breeze. The breeze invited me toward Him by gently caressing my skin and blowing the chestnut tendrils of hair away from my neck. I could hear Him whispering, “Come away, Beloved. Come away with Me.” 

As I stepped closer, the dark curls on the back of His head swung away to reveal His fire filled eyes and welcoming smile. My heart fluttered a bit as I smiled back and lifted my hand to wave hello! 

He smiled and nodded pointing eastward toward the horizon where a safe barrier of mountains hemmed us in. His large, scarred hand reached for me just as I came to His side. 

In that moment the sun grew brighter and the breeze blew stronger nudging us out into the harvest field. 

“How are you, Michelle?” 

“I’m tired and a bit confused.” 

We continued walking east toward the white farm house set in the midst of the harvest, still a good distance away. Even though I had come here many times, Jesus always met me and led me to our secret place. 

“Tell me about that sweet girl.” 

“Well, there is a restlessness in my heart, Lord. I feel like what I am doing now is wearing me down. I guess I don’t understand why I am still here. Can You help me with that?”

He smiled and warmth filled every inch of my being. The wheat stalks bent to make room for our gait drawing us ever closer to our special place. He squeezed my hand and pulled me close to His side. “You’re here because I’m preparing you for the harvest, Michelle.” 

“Am I safe?” I asked. “It doesn’t feel safe and well it drains all my energy to stay here.” 

“So why do you stay?” He asked. 

“Because You haven’t told me I could go.” 

He squeezed my hand again and peace overwhelmed my heart. “You’re right, I haven’t.” 

I looked toward the ground and the white linen skirt that hid my bare feet as I took each step. 

“Will it be soon?” 

“IT IS TIME.” 

“Time?” My heart picked up a beat or two at the sound of His Words.

“Yes. The birth pains are about to begin, but remember when your children were born?”

“Oh, Yes!” The memory of those three sweet days brought a giggle up into my throat. “Those days were three of my best days.” 

“I know. You were frightened the first time, though. You didn’t know what to expect and , well, Justin was overdue.” 

“I remember. He was stubborn even then.”

“So were you.” The words hung there in the air between us for a moment, but the usual shame and guilt I would have felt over them in my past did not follow. He squeezed my hand again. 

“I know. I was rebellious, too.” 

“Obviously!” He smiled once more and shook His head. “I’m glad that is behind you now.” 

“Thank You.” I saw the house growing nearer but wanted to know more. “What about that? “

“The labor was easy for you. This season will be an easy labor and it’s time for this season to begin.” 

I pulled at His hand and stopped. Tears began to cloud my view as I let His words settle in my heart. He turned toward me, His eyes beckoning me. “My heart is divided, Lord. I cannot have my heart set on two things.” 

He stepped back, pulled me up under His strong, protective arm and whispered as He kissed my forehead. “I know.”

I shuffled the last few steps there nestled beneath His arm. We took our time through the yard around the house. He smelled of Heaven, all soft and warm, like the wind and sunshine that beckoned us in. I could feel His heart beating against my arm. Safe. 

My bare toes tapped quickly up the wooden steps and paused at the top. Something felt different. I looked down at the usually rough, weathered floor boards. They were painted a crisp, clean white. 

I squealed in delight. Each time I visit the secret place, Daddy always surprises me with the work He has completed. 

Jesus laughed with me. “Do you love it?”

“Yes! Yes! Yes! It’s beautiful.” 

“Shall we?” He struck a formal pose and extended His arm to me. Soft music lilted off the breeze as I folded myself into His arms and we danced across the gleaming white boards. We twirled and danced all around. Our feet beating out a rhythm of unconditional love. 

My heart felt such joy, it felt like light and energy running through my veins. The more we danced, the more joy came up. We danced and danced until I crumpled in a giggling heap upon the porch. 

Overwhelmed. 

            By Love. 

Overwhelmed. 

             By Joy. 

Overwhelmed. 

             And Giddy. 

In the Presence of My Lord and King. 

I lay out on the porch and felt my breathing begin to ease as I rested there. Then I heard Daddy’s voice. “Baby girl, come here.” 

I pulled myself up off the floor and walked to Daddy’s rocking chair. His large, canvas covered arms welcomed me into His lap. I nestled myself up against His chest and felt peace flood my soul as I rested there in Daddy’s arms close to His heart. 

“My child, you are My daughter, My beautiful blessed child. I created you and am positioning you for greatness and vast influence. Your artwork is not your identity – your artwork expresses your identity. I made you creative – beautifully engaged with color and splendid things. I’ve given you words and humor and connectedness. 

“BE. THAT. GIRL. Beloved, and you will never be disappointed.”

I sat with Daddy as He rocked me there on the whitewashed porch of our farm house until I fell asleep.

Got my thinking cap on and mulling over some things to write about today…. Can’t wait to see what the Lord would have me say about these rolling thoughts of mine! 

Today, I choose to believe in MIRACLES!

Mark 16:14-18 (NKJV)  Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.  And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (emphasis mine.)

May I ask a number of questions? It is my blog… So I’ll ask the question. 

What did Peter believe that saved 3,000 people in one sitting? (Acts 2:4)

What did Paul believe that raised Eutychus from the dead? (Acts 20:1)

What did the people see and believe about Paul that they would seek to touch only the apron that had been in his presence and receive healing? (Acts 19:20)

In her study, Beloved Disciple, Beth Moore writes that early church history recounts that John was reportedly boiled and oil and miraculously lived. Grant R. Jeffrey also writes about the martyrdom of the Apostles that after being “boiled in oil” John was sentenced to prison on the isle of Patmos where he received the visions recorded in the book of Revelation. He was later released from prison, returning to served at the church of Edessa (modern day Turkey) and is the only apostle who died peacefully an old man. (Martyrdom of the Apostles) What did John believe that allowed him to receive  vision of Heaven and the diety of Christ in his last days while imprisoned under tormenting conditions AND. BEING. BOILED. IN. OIL. Wait… OIL. Oil in Scripture represents anointing and the Holy Spirit…. HMMM. That is a whole other blog post. 

What did Paul believe that delivered him from beatings, shipwrecks, stoning and caused demons to run after him shouting at him to do miracles? See 1 Corinthians 11:25 and Acts 16:16)

John 14:12-14 (NKJV)  “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (emphasis mine)

Jesus HEALED the sick, the maimed, the brokenhearted, the blind, the deaf, the demon-possessed, the lepers, and He raised the dead.

Some of the last words He spoke to His disciples before the cross: “…he who believes in me, the works I do, he will do also; and even greater works will he do…” IN. RED. LETTERS. Jesus said this. ANYONE who believes in Jesus has the same power that raised Him from the dead working and bringing life bodily within us and according to John 14 – through us. (Ephesians 1:19-20; Romans 8:11)

MY. JESUS. LIVES.

HIS. WORKS. NEVER. CEASE.

HE. STILL. HEALS.

HE. STILL. RAISES. THE. DEAD. TO. LIFE.

I. WILL. DO. THE. SAME. WORKS. JESUS. DID. HE. SAYS. I. WILL. DO. GREATER.

TODAY. I Choose To Believe!

There is a yard I pass by on a regular basis that is full of weeds. They are often edged and mowed weeds, but nevertheless after the rains and the sun come on them a few days – the scraggly patches of dandelions and spiky leaved weed patches come right back. 

I’ve seen this man walking the little green Scott’s spreader along his property lines and across the yard in recent weeks. The sprinklers are running not long after soaking in the nutritious fertilizer to feed the grass and kill the weeds. Just the other day I saw him out front spraying his yard down with some sort of “weed killer,” and still, the rain, the wind and the sun comes and without delay the weeds pop up from the earth, choke out the grass and litter his lawn with their bristly leaves and undesired flowers.

The problem is not that the man has not attempted to take care of his lawn. He is just missing the most important step. It doesn’t matter how many times you kill a weed, if you never dig up its roots… The weed will eventually poke it’s scraggly little head up out of the ground and deface your lawn once again. 

I remember as a young girl, my father buying an undeveloped lot upon which he planned to build our family home. That summer, my family and I got out into that lot and worked one end to the other pulling small “sticker” weeds out of ground. My father gave us instruction and a stern warning: “Be sure not to drop any of the stickers on the ground because they will just come back.” So, off we went across the yard with buckets, gloves and bags pulling weeds to make a yard safe for our feet to play. 

Just like the weeds… various sins and their influences return again and again until we cut it off at the root and extract it. The soul of man that is drawn to sin must be completely submitted to the Spirit of God and God must be allowed to do heart surgery to remove the weed-like spiritual cancers that come to us by generational inheritance, core lies, inner vows and judgments, hurts and traumas, as well as willful sin and demonic oppression.

In the Parable of the Sower Jesus compares those who hear the Gospel to fields where seed is sown.

Matthew 13:3-23 (NKJV)
Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”

He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’

“But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

“Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Emphasis mine.)

So in the same vein of thought, I wanted to write about what we find in Scripture about weeds.

1. From the parable of the sower we come to understand two things that will keep us from reaching our potential and God-given destiny.

• Shallow Roots – Those seed that were planted on the rocky places received the word with joy, but then fell away. Why? Because they had not roots – the first strong storm that came along, the first wind that blew their way knocked them right out of the ground.
• The Cares of the World or “Weeds” - Think about the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches.. Where do these things take root in our lives. Comparison, Lack, Competition, Expectation… Generational Herigtage? These are the things of life which come to distract us, deter us and dissuade us from following the heart of God into our destiny.

2. Shallow Root Systems create instability. Our yard has a beautiful young Live Oak tree set in the middle of the downward slope of our front lawn. Last Spring we noticed that when the storms and wind came – the tree rocked and swayed from its roots in the wind. It looked as if at any moment a strong wind would come along and uproot our tree. 

The tree was not stable at all. It moved and swayed with the wind and the leaves and branches looked dull and on the verge of death. My husband got three stakes – three – and he tied the tree to each stake by a cord. He left a little slack in each line to keep the tree from being hurt, but the stakes planted firmly in the ground stabilized the tree and allowed it time to develop roots.

Where I came from we constantly reminded ourselves when our zeal for God threatened to compel us into territory that we were not prepared for that we wanted to both deep and wide into the things of the Lord.  The truth is you can be soaring high in your passion for God (5 miles high) but so unstable that you rock and sway each time a strong wind comes and blows your way, in other words, your roots only go about a half an inch deep.

We must be tied to our Father God, His Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in order for our root system to go deep and for stability and balance to come to both our relationship with them and the way we relate to others both personally, professionally and in ministry. When the winds and storms come – they serve to reinforce our relationship with God rather than unearth our roots and destroy our foundation.

3. Deal with the Weeds! Weeds can honestly be anything from soul wounds and core lies carried through painful experiences or belief systems we’ve developed in our lives. They may include demonic oppression or just the sinful bent in our flesh man. The problem with weeds is they can look evil or they can look good. They can have thistles and thorns or they can have beautiful flowers that look harmless, but given the run of our life — they take over and destroy us. A few things you may not consider weeds: People pleasing or peace keeping, ambition or an inordinate drive for wealth or success, insecurity or pride, shame or guilt, worry or anxiety, fear, deception, or dare I type it… Religion or legalism – being given to or controlled by anything that at it’s source is not rooted in Grace or producing Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control.  Really – anything or person that would keep you from rightly relating to others and God.

So how are we doing here? Are you noticing any instability in your root system or any weeds that might need tending? 

The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.  -Isaiah 58:11 (NKJV) 

Allowing God to tend our Garden and identify the areas where weeding and staking the ground need to happen will make us more like Him – a reflection of His glory and image upon the earth!

Today at lunch we sat, in our usual fashion, around the conference table that doubles as our lunch table, and talked about life. You know how it goes when you eat with friends chatting like hens in the hen house… A subject comes up.

Today we were giving commentary on the move of God in the lives of women of a particular denomination when the name Stormy O’Martian came up.

DISCLAIMER: I have her books. I love her story and her writing. I believe she is a powerful witness to women in every denomination. BUT, what I shared must be heard in context. This is a cautionary tale that is not true in every circumstance, but sadly is not isolated to Stormie’s books. It also happens with the Bible, preachers, and well it is the primary run of rumors… Taking things out of context.

The world stands full of hurting and wounded people. It remains one of the most heartbreaking facts I encounter every day in the service of ministry. They long desperately to be free, see change in their own lives and the lives of their families, but often don’t know where to start the journey of becoming free.

A number of years ago I observed the journey of a woman, we’ll call her Janet, who struggled in her relationships with her children and husband. She and another woman began to read and pray according to the principles of “The Power of a Praying Parent” as she understood them.

She spent hours on the phone talking and praying. She often raved about how wonderful it was to pray these things over her husband because she knew God was going to change HIM for her. At times it felt like she was saying God would avenge her pain through changing her husband and children.

Legally, in a purely biblical sense, the words she prayed were right. After all, there is sound doctrine and biblical principle behind the writing of Stormie O’Martian.

Still, somehow in all of that – her heart was not right. You see – no matter what the book, the process, the plan or the idea you pursue – if you do not have a humble heart, praying the very best of God for those around you… There is a chance you could miss the mark.

She convinced herself that she should not only pray this over her children, but also over her husband who did not have parents praying over him. His parents, though living, could be found to blame for the ill she suffered from her husband.

Did you get that?

She prayed “The Power of a Praying Parent” over her husband as well as her children.

Can you see a train wreck coming? 

The results were devastating. She became more and more resigned to her position of victim and martyr. She determined in her heart that God would not let her down because she was praying “in agreement with Him” all the good things in Stormie’s book. She was certain he would vindicate her against them. She wanted them to come to an awareness of how bad they hurt her and feel her pain with her.

She continually spoke negatives things over and about her husband and children… And, often attributed the worst things to demonic activity. She preached and harped on her children (who were either near or living in adulthood) about the wickedness of their ways. In short, she sucked all the life out of her home with negative attitudes, negative speech and selfish motives.

Does this sound harsh?  Remember… I said this is a cautionary tale! 

A year after she began to pray this book over her family and her household, she was shocked by her family coming to her and saying, “You are toxic. You are hurting us and we want you to move out.” 

Not just her husband, but her children as well.

She is now divorced after more than 25 years of marriage and estranged from her children by their choice. She remains wounded, but resolved that God will change her family’s heart toward her. And, in a lot of ways, the entire experience has changed her.

She speaks less negatives and has cut out things in her life that she did to escape the pain of her reality. But, in a lot of ways, she is still convinced all those months she spent praying she did what God wanted her to do. Only God knows if that is true.

So what went wrong? 

She failed to realize the point of “The Power of  a  Praying Parent” is meant to be prayed over your children, not your husband. Because of her wounded perspective, she failed to realize that the book was not just about praying change into the lives of those around her, but the intention of the book was meant to change the heart of the mother toward her children and out of that heart the change would overflow into the lives of her kids.

And in the long run, she became so legalistic in her opinions and her attitudes about what her family wasn’t that she herself would “PRAY” them into… She lost sight of the power of God to grow them up in a heartbeat if she would simply move out of His way.

Cautionary tales always have a… 

Moral of the story:

Speak Life & Focus on What God is Doing in YOU! 

As I consider all of this, I think of something my daughter said to me around Valentine’s Day. I had purchased two cards for my husband that day. This is a tradition in my life. He often will receive two cards because I find it hard to choose.

I brought them in and looked them over in her presence. Both of the sentiments were extremely complimentary and flattering. But, after reading them several times I realized that one of the cards rang very true to our relationship, and the other card spoke to some things I desired in our relationship but had not yet come to pass. I spoke aloud, but mostly to myself… “I’ll just give him this one, which sounds most like him today and I will save the other one for next year. In the meantime, I will spend the next year praying these things over him so that when I give it to him they will be true.”

My daughter ha-rumped in disgust. I showed her the cards and explained my thoughts. She said, “Momma, that’s just mean.”

I said, “Wait…”

She said, “You ARE NOT going to tell him that are you? “

“Oh, No!” I said, “I wouldn’t tell him that.”

THE. OLD. SELF. She would have lorded it over him like a legal document. But this girl, the one who writes about it today she would not dare tell him about it. She would only give him the card next year and pray that he knows she loves him with all her heart and prays God’s best for him every single day.

What I realized today as I wrote these words has blessed me beyond measure. God doesn’t just want me to pray these things over my husband. He wants me to “Call things that are not as though they were…” (Romans 4:17).  He wants me to call my husband a gift, a wonderful husband, a man who is thoughtful and kind, who gives humbly and reflects the gentle strength of the Lord… To tell him he is a friend who listens with his heart and understands the importance of just being there with a hug and a smile, a companion who leads with love, integrity and faith, making it a joy and an honor to stand beside him because he is my love, my friend, and my companion. And even now, as I wait – I thank God for him each and every day.

Some of these things are true of my husband already. And some of these things lie in wait for the moment when God awakens his heart to them. I am content to have the promise and the opportunity to call forth the greatness and love of God into my husband’s life by being a wife who speaks life over him in my heart, in my words and in my prayers.

Lord, Open the eyes of my heart to see my husband as you see him. 

Visit my friend Bridgit and her post on a similar subject: Wearing Someone Else’s Armor