Month: January 2009

“he MAKES me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” -Psalm 23:2

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to meet with Tom, the founder of the Jerusalem House of Prayer for all Nations (where we are staying) and his wife Kate.  This house of prayer has sustained 24/7 for over 20 years.  So we asked what how have you been able to stand in this place for all these years.  They had a few reasons, but one stood out to me more than the rest, the importance of keeping Shabbat (Sabbath).  After meeting with them, we went to a Jewish synagogue.  After synagogue. a doctor from the states then took us out to eat.  He is very knowledgable about Jewish culture, and began to explain the Shabbat more to us.  Some Jewish people even take it to the extent of not turning out light switches, because that could be considered “work.”  My mind is forced to ponder.  In the Western culture we have come so far from that, it is just another day.  Now I am not suggesting either extreme, but wondering what is the balance, and where is God’s heart in this.  Perhaps there are precious parts to this Jewish tradition that I need to incorporate into my Western world.  Today, our sweet friends at the house of prayer invited us for a day out.  One problem… 6 people… only 5 seats.  So, like every highly spiritual team we resorted to casting lots, ahem, I mean drawing straws.  Well, guess who drew the short straw?  So, off went my 2 partners in crime to an adventurous day!  Something in me wondered. God is there a reason you have me staying back today?  I was hoping to hop on a bus with someone from the house and possibly do some exploring in the old city.  My backpack, a good book, maybe a warm mocha, sounded do-able.  Only one problem, no one was going to the old city.  Finally, I surrendered, and nestled myself on this yellow couch to discover what God is trying to tell me.  I recently heard about a sermon that referred to Psalm 23, and “he MAKES us lie down in green pastures.”  The Lord is so faithful to bring these lessons into application.  I guess I should probably stop writing and get back to my green pastures, I mean yellow couch…

my poor abandoned blog.  i have come back to you.  sorry to you the few, the faithful followers of this blog. 🙂

My time here in Israel has been surreal, amazing, encouraging, inspiring, and a true blessing.  We have had the opportunity to connect with quite a few different ministries.  It is always encouraging to see the movements of God around the world.  God is faithfully showing me how big He is, and the way His heart longs to see all hearts turn to Him.  I feel so grateful and blessed for this opportunity all all that God is pouring into me during this time.  Thanks for your friendship, prayers, support, and encouragemet, I truly couldn’t be here without them.  I pray great blessings and peace upon you today!

TODAY IS THE DAY!

We leave today for Israel.  We will get there tomorrow afternoon, and be picked up by our YWAM friends.

How do I feel this morning?

Surprisingly peaceful, that has to be the Lord, and excited.  I feel an anticipation of the unknown that awaits us.  God has already began networking ministries there, and I feel excited to jump into what He is doing.  I feel so blessed and in awe of the team God has brought together.  We don’t have any idea what our day to day will look like, but feel confident that if we give Him the space, God will fill our days with divine appointments.  This morning in my quiet time, I felt led to read Zechariah 2.  It is about the Lord filling Jerusalem with His presence.  Do it Lord!

‘For I,’ declares the LORD, ‘will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.'”   Zechariah 2:5

Prayers points

1. Safety and protection

2. Unity

3. Divine Appointments

4. That He would go before us in all we do

5. Wisdom as decisions come (more of the Holy Spirit, to lead and guide us)

In my mother’s laundry room hangs an apron. The apron is neatly sprinkled with artwork of myself and the peers of my kindergarten class. I haven’t looked at this apron in years. I started to study the last names, Patel, Gomez, DeLeon, the list goes on. I remembered the small faces that belonged to these names. You see I was undeniably the minority in the little class. At first glance this conglomeration of nations that filled my class was the result of the Dallas school district

enforcing busing, an attempt to integrate. But my mind started to wonder. Perhaps my love for other cultures and nations began in that small room nearly 20 years ago. Hispanic last names are the most common on the apron. Is it

simply coincidence that Latin America is one of my favorite places on earth? Or did the Lord begin something in that little

girl so long ago? I am finding more and more that Lord is always at work. I am asking Him to make His movements apparent to my sometimes blind eyes. I want to recognize the places that He has been. I want to see the weaving of His hand through this tapestry of my life.