School

Right now, Patrick and I are at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (a church and school plant from Bethel in Redding, Ca... www.ibethel.org, www.ibethelatlanta.org). We have class on Monday and Tuesday nights from 6:30-9:30, outreach to the homeless every Sunday afternoon, and home group every other Thursday. We also read lots of books, do book reports, and do homework for every day of the week. Needless to say, it's a huge time commitment. But there is a grace for us to be in school during this season. Thankfully, it has proved to be more of a blessing and a catalyst than an obstacle.


Last week, we spent a lot of time interceding for America and the election. We made declarations and spoke life over the United States. People had some cool words that they shared about our great nation. Never has my passion for America been stirred up so deeply in me. One word was about the Statue of Liberty being a prophetic declaration. She is holding a book of authority, she is walking in power, she has a crown on her head which says she is royalty, and she knows her identity. With her torch, she is lighting the way for people groups all over the world to come and to gain freedom and to find their identity. This time of declaration and intercession gave me such a hope for America. With any President, God wins. He can win with any hand, and we can come into agreement with His heart and what He wants to do. God did not make a mistake by electing Obama as President (although many would disagree). It was His idea. He has a purpose. And regardless of how we feel, we have to choose to believe that God is always good, and that He has our best interest in mind, and He works ALL things out for our good. Life and death is in the power of the tongue, and we have to keep speaking life. But we still have a responsibility to pray for our leaders, cry out for mercy and for justice, and for righteous decisions to be made. We are citizens of heaven and will live according to those principles and standards.


If the Church really rose up and knew her identity, and started to work and move from a place of victory and authority, we would not need a government/political party to do the Church's work. To fight for the things that the Church should be fighting for. The poor/homeless should find love, acceptance, encouragement and strength from us, not the government. The Church can draw out greatness in people, it can make them realize their dreams and equip them to go after those dreams. If God has placed a dream in them, there is a grace there for them to pursue that dream. We have a responsibility for the widows, and the homeless, and the unborn babies. But we have to know who we are and what we carry in order to receive and to steward the things of heaven here on earth.

New Addition to the Soundtrack of my Life

"Heavenly Day" by Patty Griffin

Declaration

When we're young, the only thing we can do to communicate that we need something is to cry. We cry because we're hungry, we cry because we're thirsty, and we cry because we're tired. If we want anything, we cry. 

As we get older, we learn to communicate a little differently. Let's use a glass of milk as an example. Maybe when we're two or three we can say the word "milk" or point to it. As we start to grow we can start to reach the milk ourselves, and then reach the glasses, then later pour the milk without having to ask our parents to get it for us. But there is a progression of crying out for it when we're young, asking for it as we get older, then taking the liberty to get it ourselves. 

I think that is how God intends for our faith to be. If you ever spend any amount of time in prayer and not ask for anything, you will start to see God give you the things that you needed that you didn't ask for. Like any good father, God knows our needs. He knows our desires. And He wants to give us those things in our heart. Luke 18:8  says that He will respond "speedily." But He wants to see us trust that He will provide for our needs, and then learn to take another step forward. To start to get up and get things for ourselves. He wants to see us move from a place of crying out and asking for things, to a place of declaration. God tells us in Ephesians 2 that we are seated in heavenly places now. In Zechariah 3:7, that there are courts in heaven that we have a say in now. All authority in heaven has been given to us. We are powerful. 

We usually limit grace to a ticket to heaven. But grace is an entryway into the realm of the impossible. We have access to higher realms. We have faith in something that is greater than us. We have access to power that breaks strongholds. power that moves mountains. power and love that radically change people. power and love that defeats armies. We can have confidence that when we make declarations, the atmosphere shifts. Heaven moves. God wants to show Himself. He wants to encounter people in radical ways. He wants to see His children rise up in faith believing that the God who loves them will show up on their behalf. So let's rise up and be bold. Let's pray for the sick and declare that their bodies come into alignment with the Kingdom of God. Lets speak Truth and prophecy to people who need encouragement and direction. Lets practice accessing heaven and bringing it into the now. 

Baby Bailey

This is our new kitten, Bailey. She is super snuggly and sweet and we love her! I hope you all get an opportunity to meet her sometime soon (while she is still teeny tiny!). 

She has developed a funny habit of wanting to sit on my back when i bend over, or wanting to climb up my shoulders and sit between my shoulder blades while I am standing. The first picture is of me bending over on the computer and Bailey sitting on my back watching me over my shoulder. She couldn't be cuter!

Culture of Honor

This is my response to a blog about Todd Bentley to the author, he asked for our thoughts so I thought I'd post mine:


http://www.ibethel.org/regarding-todd-bentley/


This is a link to a response that I like very much regarding Todd Bentley. I think it's important for us to develop and keep a culture of honor. This church in Redding, California has found a way to recognize different anointings when they see them, and look past the things that they might not agree with. Whenever someone speaks at Bethel Church in Redding, the pastor will never tell you what he didn't agree with. He wants to train the church to recognize different anointings and different moves of God in different people. And sometimes those come in unlikely and maybe even uncomfortable forms. The important thing is to learn to see God, instead of the human. To recognize the "Truth" wherever it is. If we focus on the good, and learn to honor fellow believers even if we have small differences in doctrine, we get closer to understanding the heart of the Father. Just like the dad in the Prodigal Son, he did not care about the mess his son had gotten into. He loved his son and wanted to honor him and bless him just for being his son.


As believers we are going to keep being divided as long as we remain critical, and see the human error rather than the potentially mighty move of God in someone. Todd needed believers to support him (by supporting you don't have to agree with every last stroke of the pen), to love him, to honor him, and to pray for him. I believe that Todd has an amazing anointing to heal the sick and raise the dead. I know several people personally who encountered God in ways they never had before in Lakeland. Todd ushered in God's presence no matter how you look at it.


If you look at the history of revivals and revivalists, you'll notice that at the end, the "main player" usually gets burnt out, tired, and broken. Moves of God can happen quickly, and when someone is pushed ahead of the group to lead, they rarely have an opportunity to build in extra accountability, prayer support, and to get friends alongside them to help them lead. Without those things, anyone would burn out and get tired and feel lonely. Believers are meant to be honored and supported by each other, without being divisive about every detail. I think in times like this, we need to storm the gates of heaven on behalf of our brother in Christ, rather than sitting at the dinner table picking him apart. We need to show honor and love to all believers. If we can't love the Body, how can we love the lost? the homeless? the poor?



We have to first know and feel the love of God for us, before we can unconditionally give it. We should work from love not for love. from victory not for victory. and from a place of rest rather than for a place of rest. We have been fully equipped with everything we need, we just have to believe we have it, and then act on it.

The Necessity of the Spirit

God has been putting some thoughts on my heart recently that I have loved. Each thought is unique, and might appear somewhat scattered, but it will make sense in the end.  :) 

In old Jewish traditions, a man would propose to a woman. He would then leave to go and  "prepare a place" for her. He would build a house, or add a room onto the house he already had for he and his bride to live in. The girl would continue about her business for months or even years, waiting on her groom to finish their place. But she would always leave a light on in the room she was in, so that when her groom would come back to get her, he would know where to find her and know that she was ready. She wouldn't know if he'd come for her during the day or at night, so leaving a lamp lit was a necessity. 

We have to be ready for Jesus' return. Being ready for Him to come in the middle of the night and find us still waiting patiently for Him. I want Him to come back and find me faithfully waiting.  Letting my light shine all the time so that He'll know where to find me and know that I am ready for Him to take me away. I want Him to see my white garments and know that I am for Him only. 

* * * *

John the Baptist was someone in the Bible who embraced his calling to the fullest extent. He existed to pave the way for Jesus. To prepare the way for Him. To prepare people for His coming. All He did was announce the coming Messiah. He proclaimed His goal and His power. Not only did He announce the coming of Jesus, but also the fact that Jesus was going to baptize people with the Holy Spirit and with fire. John the Baptist lived completely yielded to his calling. Everything about him pointed to Jesus. He waited actively, fervently, and passionately  for Him. 

John the Baptist announced Jesus' first coming. And he did that well. But we're here to announce Jesus' second coming. To help prepare ourselves and everyone else around us for the Bridegroom's return for us. We are the John the Baptists of today. We're meant to prepare the way for Jesus to come. We are brightly lit lovers of God, shining so that not only will everyone else see the light, but Jesus will know right where to find us when He returns.

* * * *

After Jesus was crucified, He came back and appeared to over 500 people, telling them not to leave Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them.  However, only 120 were still there to receive the Spirit when it actually came time for the outpouring. This small group was fervently awaiting the Holy Spirit, spending time in prayer and worship until the Spirit came upon them. They had a unity of heart and really went after what Jesus had promised. And they were the ones who received the gift of the Spirit and the anointing and power to move and walk in the same power that Jesus had.

 In the same way that a bride would wait years for her groom, and John the Baptist fervently waited and announced the coming Lord, people were called to passionately wait on the Spirit's arrival. It was those who were completely yielded to the coming Jesus that received the outpouring of the Spirit. People who were so wrapped up in everything about Jesus. Wrapped up in God's purposes for them. I want to be completely wrapped up in and engulfed by Jesus and His love and purposes. Fully empowered by the Spirit. 

But we have to seek out the deeper things of God, passionately and fervently praying for them and awaiting their arrival...but those who seek find. People had to wait on the Spirit, but were blessed immensely for not losing focus and not forgetting that the Spirit was coming. That there was more to be had. It was only the 120 faithful that received the overflow of the Spirit and were able to fully walk in the power that Jesus had. I want to shine. To glow with the radiance of God's presence. To walk in power that comes from above. That changes atmospheres. That makes heaven invade earth. I want to proudly receive Jesus and His entering in to my life. I'm ready for His return. And He will find me patiently, actively, and zealously waiting for Him.

Soundtrack of My Life

It's a Great Day to Be Alive- Travis Tritt 

My Soul Longs for You-Misty Edwards

Moondance-Van Morrison

Let Your Light Shine-Bethany Dillon

Your Love Never Fails-Bethel

Divine Romance-Phil Wickham

One-U2 and Mary J. Blige

Omaha-Counting Crows

Oh I Think They Like Me-Dem Franchize Boyz

Could I Have This Kiss Forever-Enrique Iglesias and Whitney Houston

Marry Me-Ed Cash

Hosanna-Hillsong

Regardless-Jimmy Needham

Shining-Phil Wickham

Everything-Lifehouse

Come Away-Matt Wertz

Glory Come Down-Jason Upton

Your Love is Like-Rick Pino

Pour Out-Shawn McDonald

Cry In My Heart-Starfield

Happy-Sister Hazel

Traveling

One of my passions in life is traveling. I love the idea of interacting with new cultures, languages, food and landscapes. I enjoy the challenge of communicating and exploring the new terrain. New places are always so vibrant and full

 of life, with new sounds and smells. Nothing is familiar. Everything is an adventure.    

 

I have loved every experience that I have had in foreign countri

es. And I wouldn't trade any experience for the world. 

Lately Patrick and I have wanted to go everywhere. To see Florence, Milan, and Rome, Italy. To teach English in China. To see Jerusalem and the Middle East. To visit Patagonia in Argentina and Chile. To see the Northern Lights in Alaska. To visit Budapest, Hungary, Dubai, and the Taj Mahal in India. To see Heidi Baker in Mozambique and Heroes of the Nations in Nairobi, Kenya. 

Our list continues to grow each day and we have a fear of not experiencing all that the world has to offer. All the aromas and spices, the landscape and architecture, the people and cultures. We have a hunger for adventure and can't wait to take the first steps of our journey together. I hope you'll join us!

Blessed

I have now entered a completely new season of life. A season that is far more vibrant and exhilarating than the last. On May 17, 2008, I got to marry the love of my life and my best friend, Patrick. Preparing for a wedding is one of the most stressful things I have ever done. But as it got closer and closer to the Big Day, God just cloaked me with layers and layers of supernatural peace. I was no longer stressed or worried that something wouldn't come together. I wasn't worried that the photographer wouldn't catch the right moments. I wasn't worried about my shoes or my hair or my dress. I was just so content and wrapped up in the love and peace of God.

I didn't realize how overwhelmingly loved and blessed I would feel on that day. Looking around seeing everyone that has meant something to you is truly remarkable. All the people that you would rush over to see if you saw them out. All the people that you have spent long hours working through life's problems with, cramming for tests with, traveling with, or staying up late to make cinnamon/sugar/butterscotch pancakes with. I thought the love in the air and in all the rooms was going to knock me over.

Patrick and I had such a great time dancing and laughing the night away. Even through the honeymoon we were talking about each detail that was perfect. Or that one person that came from really far away just to be with us on our wedding day. There are so many details that we just enjoy remembering. We love to remember how the faces looked, what the dance floor was like, who spent all night beside us wanting to enjoy everything with us, who went above and beyond to make the day incredible... we were beyond blessed. Our lives have been perfectly grafted together by a loving God. The transition into this new life together has been effortless and flawless. Beautiful and loving, fun and exciting.

If you would have asked me if God was going to bring good out of all the mess that Patrick and I have been through together, I would probably tell you there is no way. And there are still some things that painfully linger in my memories. But if our wedding and the weeks after is any indication of how much He wants to lavish us with "good," then I would have been wrong. God works ALL things out for OUR GOOD. Even terrible things, He finds ways to knit Himself in so that as we look back, we see victories. We see huge mountains conquered. We see that love wins. Love conquers all. Because of Jesus, love is what's left after everything else falls away. Right now we feel like we are drowning in love. It is all around us and it is breathtaking. God has filled our lives and our spirits with more love than I ever thought possible. And we are set up now for an incredible journey as man and wife. To walk from glory to greater glory. From strength to greater strength. From blessing to multiplied blessing.

God is so good and so full of love. And I'm blessed to be called His child.

My Dad, My Hero

My family is one of the most important things to me. However, I have never regarded them as highly as I do now. 

My dad specifically is probably the most incredible, valuable, heroic, respectable, loving, and encouraging person I have ever met. His life has been rough but he has never complained. His sense of humor is wholesome and unique. He has the rare gift of truly encouraging and empowering every person he meets. He has a love for writing letters and will spend hours crafting the perfect balance of exhortation, love, respect and value for each person he writes. I have gotten letters from him since I was young. As I grew up he used to write letters and hide them in different places so that I would find them later. A few weeks ago I opened a box of glasses that he and my mom had wrapped up for me in 1990 and put a note on it that said "Mary to take to college." As we opened the box after it being in storage for years, I found a letter my dad had written to me about that day in 1990 when they were already planning ahead for me in college. He told me what my brother and I had done that day, what we had eaten for dinner, what my cat was doing, how he appreciated my mom, and how much he loved me. My dad never hesitates to tell me how much he loves me and how proud he is of me. What an incredible thing to have in life! A dad that is always for you, always encouraging you, always giving you a little extra money than you needed, always sending letters to you, creating care packages to send to you abroad, giving you books that changed his life, and being intentional about encouraging weaknesses. He has a generosity that is hard to believe sometimes but that is what makes him so rare and special. 

One of the biggest blessings in my life is watching my dad with my baby sister. He loves her more than anything in this world. Seeing how he treasures her when no one is watching is so sweet to me. 

My dad has an uncanny way of knowing how you're feeling, what makes you insecure and worrisome, and in a two minute conversation knowing exactly how to help you and love you through whatever emotion you're feeling. I went through a really rough season of depression a year ago, and my dad knew all I needed was a kitten and everything would be okay in my world. The world could be caving in on me but if I had a kitten to love, everything else would fade away. He knows when you just need a cheeseburger and milkshake, a BP gas card, a little extra allowance, a friend to take you to lunch, or a letter building you up in every area of your life. I have not always been great with money, but instead of reprimanding me for my shortcomings, my dad praised the ways that I had been faithful, frugal, and generous. That is something so rare in many fathers today. 

My dad is someone that you can't help but be yourself around. He calls out the gold in you and makes you feel like a million bucks. If he is ever upset with someone, he finds ways to say great things about them. You'd never know he was upset. 

He helps you see the big picture. The good hearts that people have and how sometimes we need to broaden our perspective in order to see what is so incredible about them. He challenges my comfort zone but always gives me confidence to move forward into uncharted territory. He loves my friends because I love them. And he always thanks me for loving them well, something that few friends ever tell you. When college is hard he explains that transitional times are always hard, but they get better and settle out. You just have to relax. My dad didn't push for me to have perfect grades. He loved when I did, but he was so satisfied with all my effort in every area of my life. If I didn't do so well on a test, he would immediately find something I did do well on that week so I had a balance. Every time I entered a new season of life he would tell me story after story about what he loved about that season and what I can look forward too. Each season seems to get richer and richer which makes me so excited for the years to come.

What I love about my dad is that not only is he like this, but so is his entire family. They have a unique way of loving unconditionally and supporting in every way possible. I have never felt disrespected, not honored or not valued by them. Even when my dad was going through tough months, they could sense it in him (he would never say it) and speak up on his behalf. They'd encourage him, but also find ways to encourage my brother and I to reach out to him a little bit more. To let him know how much we love him (without saying that he was doing poorly). It is so loving to me that they could help and improve a situation without ever having to talk about the problem. One summer, my brother had decided he wanted to be an inventor. So my aunts would sit with him for hours and help him come up with new ideas and names for things. They never cared what people thought. It was their intention to love fully and selflessly. 

I could not have asked for a better dad or family. I am blessed beyond belief. And I hope that I have inherited even just small fragments of what they possess, and can pass those along to all of those that I care about and value.