October: The Month of the Windfall!

Holy Spirit started to quietly whisper this to me in May. October and windfall. That in October I would experience a windfall.

What is a windfall? It means, something (such as a tree or fruit) blown down by the wind). Hmmm…. the most widely known definition is related to good fortune. “an unexpected, unearned, or sudden gain or advantage. Such as a bonanza, jackpot, manna from heaven, and inheritance. Suddenly and unexpectedly thrust upon you.

The term windfall was first used in the fifteenth century, this word windfall originally referred to fruit that the wind blew from the trees. Like a prize was there for whomever found it---no need for the ladder and the effort of picking it from the tall trees. The word eventually came to mean any unexpected and easily-gained good fortune, typically one involving money.

There was nothing you had to do to earn it. The fruit was just there for you to find. Unexpected. It did not require any effort. It was placed there for you. It reminds me of the story of Ruth. Starting in Chapter two.

“Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech. One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it. Naomi replied, “All right my daughter go ahead.” So, Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech. While she was there, Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters. “The Lord be with you.!” He said. “The Lord bless you!” the harvesters replied. Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?” And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes’ rest in the shelter.” Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young man not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.” Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked, “I am only a foreigner.” “Yes I know,” Boaz replied, “but I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and our own land to live here among complete strangers. May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” “I hope I continue to please you, sir.” She replied, “you have comforted me by speaking so kindly to me, even though I am not one of your workers.” At mealtime Boaz called to her, “Come over here, and help yourself to some food. You can dip your bread in the sour wine.” So, she sat with his harvesters, and Boaz gave her some roasted grain to eat. She ate all she wanted and still had some left over. When Ruth went back to work again, Boaz ordered his young men, “Let her gather grain right among the sheaves without stopping her. And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her.”

Our lives are made up of seasons. In every season God has strategically placed levels of provision and abundance. I have come to understand over the years that I cannot force those seasons. I have to allow these seasons to approach me in life as I journey along the path the Lord has ordained for me to walk. I will encounter them if I am faithful.

I have walked through some very difficult seasons of life where I have experience a lot of loss, but I would just keep declaring by faith, “the glory of this latter house will be greater than the former.” Haggai 2:9. I knew in my spirit this was truth for my life.

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord. When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed; the mountains shall drip with sweet wind, and all the hills shall flow with it.” Amos 9:13 NKJ

In the Message it reads:

“Yes indeed, it won’t be long now.” God’s Decree: Things are going to happened so fast your head will swim: one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won’t be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once---and everywhere you look, blessings! Blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills, I’ll make everything right again for my people”

This word is not for everyone, but I believe there are many of you who will experience a “windfall” in October. As you are reading this post, life is coming into you. Right now. Your Spirit is excited. Right now. You contended. You have believed. You have been faithful and have not seen much fruit for your effort. That breakthrough you have been looking for is coming. God wants to exceed your expectation. Like Ruth, He intends to drop handfuls on purpose. He intends to invade your life with His goodness. You do not need to be more. You just need to believe. 

  

“Father I pray, first and foremost for a windfall of love. Because love never stops loving. If a person passionately loves God, they will possess the knowledge of God. I pray for a windfall of hope. A windfall of joy. A windfall of finances. A windfall of healing. A windfall of peace. A windfall of promises fulfilled. I pray that you will answer the prayers of your people that have gone up before you. I pray the best is yet to come. In Jesus name. Amen.

I hope this word blesses you today!

Keep flourishing!

Barbara

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October: The Month of the Windfall!

Cry Freedom!

 “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13

Freedom. I love freedom. Our forefathers fought for it. We fight to keep it. Oh freedom. I love you. Freedom. Let it ring. The belief that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. That all people should have the same opportunities and be able to live the American dream. It was fought for. There is a cry from the earth that echoes today that says, give me liberty or give me death. Battles fought. Sons and daughters lost. Bloodshed. Nation against nation. Brother against brother. People who rather die than live another day without it. Elusive for many still today. Around the world there are people who have never tasted it and inwardly there is that silent scream that only they and God can hear that cries, “Freedom!”

I love my country. Can I say that without being judged? Sounds old school. Or maybe not politically correct. Weird huh? That some (who I believe are the minority, but they scream louder than the majority) find that polarizing to say. I don’t apologize for it. Never will. I have not always loved America like I do today. I do not think I understood God's plan for America until I became a Christian. My own journey in faith has changed how I view America. As a believer I am looking through the eyes of Christ. My own struggle for personal freedom has led me to discover that God’s intent for America is for it to be one nation under God. You can debate it. You can hate it, but you can’t change it. It’s our destiny. It was declared as a prophecy hundreds of years ago and try as you may to scream louder, create chaos, and even spill blood- the world can’t change it. If God’s people humble themselves and pray, He will heal our land. It’s over. Done. He has a plan for America.

I wrote a song many years ago called, “Cry Freedom”. It had God's breath all over it. It was birthed out of the joy of being taken from darkness to light. Of finally being able live again and have hope. My days were getting very desperate before I had an encounter one night that would change my life forever. On the surface I appeared pretty normal. Had a career, a nice place to live, car, family all the things we aspire to in life. But internally I was in deep bondage. I had all these talents that the Lord had given me but because of the closed off world I lived in I did not have the ability to truly express myself. It was like being caged. Like the walls of that cave were closing in on me. I suffered with daily depression. I was beginning to have very scary thoughts. Thoughts that were violent. Thoughts that scared me.

One night as I was channel surfing I stopped on a Christian television station just long enough to start to hear what this preacher was saying. It was as if he was speaking to me directly. His eyes. I remember the intensity in his eyes. I was mesmerized because I had not experienced that before. I listened and as he talked about Jesus and what Jesus could do to set me free, tears began to stream down my face. I felt unseen chains beginning to break off of me. I prayed with this preacher to ask Jesus to be my Lord and savior. I knew that I knew that I had just walked through a new door. I felt hope again. I heard Holy Spirit speak to me for the first time. I was different. Everything was different. I knew it. Although I was very emotional this was not about emotion it was about an encounter. A transformation had just begun.

I had felt the wind of Holy Spirit blow away the clouds of depression that had hung over me for years. It was a new beginning but just the beginning. There was a lot of healing and forgiveness that I was going to walk through in those early years. Each layer bringing me greater and greater levels of freedom.

As a worship leader I became more and more expressive and my worship became more and more passionate. More transparent and authentic. I did not care what anyone really thought or how I looked. I was truly grateful to have my life back. I was ecstatic about the grace I freely received. It was expressed through my worship. I had been forgiven much so my love for Him became so extravagant. His grace led me to places I never thought I would ever see realized in my life. Oh, the adventures and the joy of following him. I was a testimony to His grace. I knew if there was anything good in me it came from Jesus. It was true then it is definitely true now.

Out of that journey of healing came the song, Cry Freedom. Based on Jerimiah 29:11. The lyrics are.

He has a plan for you a hope and a future too
If you seek with all your heart you will be found
And as you seek you’ll find your standing on solid ground
When you build upon the rock of Jesus Christ

If your hearts in captivity
Surrender and you will be
Liberated from the chains that have you bound
For on the cross he paid
So, He could be the way
By the blood of Christ my voice cries Freedom now.

Freedom
Freedom
Freedom in the name of the Lord
I cry Freedom
Oh yes Freedom
Freedom in the name of the Lord

That song had a season where it had a life of its own. When I sang that song, I sang so deeply from the depths of my being because I knew the truth of The Bondage Breaker. The blood of Jesus who died for me, so I could be free to become all he had destined me to be. His grace is truly amazing. 

This July as we celebrate our great nation. Remember where you once were and how Jesus has set you free. He is the liberator. He is the one who my heart love. He is the only hope for our nation. God is on the move. Renew your commitment to take every opportunity to give Him the glory. He deserves our best. He who the son sets free is free indeed. Let’s celebrate not only the liberation of our nation but how Jesus died so we could be free to sing, Cry Freedom!

Keep Flourishing,

Barbara

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Cry Freedom!

Jesus, His crew and Who Dat???

Have you ever felt misunderstood?  Been ostracized? Wondered if you were relevant any more.  Wondered if you make the right choice?  Well Jesus did too.  Let read Matthew 16: 5-19.  This is from the Passion Translation.   

“Later, as Jesus and his disciples crossed over to the other side of Lake Galilee, the disciples realized they had forgotten to bring any loaves of bread.  Jesus spoke up and said, “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”

Thinking Jesus was scolding them over not bringing bread, they whispered among themselves.  Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “You have such little faith!  Why are you arguing with one another about having no bread?  Are you so slow to understand?  Have you forgotten the miracle of feeding the five thousand families and how each of you ended up with a. basket full of fragments? And how seven loaves of bread that fed four thousand families with baskets left over?  Don’t you understand?  I am not talking about bread, but I’m warning you to avoid the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” 

Then finally they realized he wasn’t talking about yeast found in bread, but the error of the teachings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”

When Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples this question.  “What are people saying about me, the son of Man?  Who do they believe I Am?” 

They answered, “Some are convinced you are John the Baptizer, others say you are Elijah reincarnated, or Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”  But you, who do you say that I am?” Jesus asked.

Simon Peter spoke up and said, “You are the Anointed One, the Son of the Living God.!”  Jesus replied, “You are favored and privileged Simeon, son of Jonah!  For you didn’t discover this on your own, but my Father in heaven has supernaturally revealed it to you.  I give you the name Peter, a stone.  And this truth of who I am will be the bedrock foundation on which I will build my church.”   

This interaction took place after Jesus had just encountered the Pharisees who challenged Him to show them a sign to prove who He was.  Of course, Jesus did not and turned and left them.

Jesus first wanted to know what others were saying about him.  He knew he was being misunderstood and hated.  Love by many but not all.   I can’t imagine what it is like for Jesus.    To know you have the power to change people lives and that you are the light of the world.  The Savior, the Christ and not be received.  To have endure torment and being ostracized by others.  The religious ones of the day certainly did not believe in him and they were the ones who needed him the most.   Don’t you think Jesus was grieved over their non-belief?

It was important to Jesus to know that his crew, his disciples were getting it.  That they recognized why he came.  Who sent Him.  That he was not a fraud.  I can almost sense in a moment of deep sadness that Jesus needed encouragement.  He needed to hear that someone got him.  That someone understood the message.  The significance of his being.  Just before that question, the disciples misunderstood Jesus when He spoke of being wary of unleavened bread thinking he was upset that they did not have bread.  Again, they misinterpreted what he meant.   Really?  You have been with me all this time and you still don’t understand me? 

Jesus then asked his disciples what other people were saying about him. The disciples give him a number of answers but none say he is Jesus the son of God come to save the world, and then Peter replies, you are the anointed one, the son of the living God.  I can see the scene as Jesus listens to their answers about the “word on the street.”  Discouraged about their response there was a need in him to hear the ones who are closest to him encourage him.  Peter spoke not on his own but receive supernatural revelation from God.  The Father spoke through Peter to his Son.  You are the anointed one.  The Son of the living God.  Remember who you are.  You are my son.  You are the Christ come to save the world.  In that moment Jesus was encouraged.  In that moment Peter also became a new man.  A fresh revelation transforming Simeon, son of Jonah into Peter, the Rock.  The rock on which I will put together my church a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.

I think about this application today.  Who do we say that He is?  When we talk about Jesus to others who do we say that He is?  Are we ashamed of our relationship?  Do we proudly proclaim the gospel or when given an opportunity to speak truth shy away not wanting to be judge or ostracized?  I will be honest there are moments I have missed when I should have spoken up.  I know that grieved Jesus just like it did when His disciples disappointed him. 

Who do you say that I am?  Who do you say that I am at work?  Who do you say that I am at the gym?  Who do you say that I am at school?  Because as his followers, we are his sons and daughters his family.  How do we hurt the heart of Jesus, Holy Spirit and Father when we deny Him.  It can be very subtle.  We love our comfort.  Who doesn’t.   But I do not want to be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The bible says the righteous are bold as a lion.  Boldness is needed in our day.  Courage is needed.  Jesus never said you would not be prosecuted for what you believe.  He actually said the exact opposite.  But we do so with Love.

But what really is love???  Just giving people a part of the gospel is not love.  Jesus said that those who know him will enter the kingdom of God.  That is a journey that is eternal.  But to know Him you need to experience Him in totality.  Jesus is definitely love.  It was His love that cleared the temple of the religious.  It was love that rebuked Peter.  It was love that spoke to the rich young ruler.  It was love that died on the cross.  He is Love.  It’s the truth spoken in love.

John Bevere says in his book, Killing Kryptonite, that “It's putting a heavy emphasis on grace that allows us to live an immoral life.  In other words, “putting a heavy emphasis on grace that covers but not grace that empowers. “we have become so tolerant that we do not speak the truth.  “When it comes to leadership silence is communication.  It communicates agreement and it grants permission.”

Don’t get it twisted.  The truth of the bible requires life style changes not just accepting his grace.  It is because of his grace we have the power to change. 

Prophetic proclamation from Holy Spirit:

My sons and daughters.  Now is the time.  This is the hour.  My beloved.  My heart yearns to draw closer to you.  Seek me for revelation for this hour.  Do not cling to the past.  Allow me to begin something new in you.  Let me renew your strength.  The window is closing on your opportunity to make the transition.  This is not about salvation but about destiny.  About fulfillment.    My army is being equipped to cover the earth with My glory as the water covers the seas.  Glory clouds.  Glory clouds are coming.  Let me position you for my glory.  Let me navigate and steer the boat.  The window is closing to make the correction and the transition into the new.  Glory clouds are coming.  Come up come up above the fray and you will see what I see, and you will see the wonder if what I am about to do. 

Keep Flourishing!
Barbara

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Jesus, His crew and Who Dat???

The Biggest Loser: Thoughts on Fat, Food, and Faith

I am fat. You look fat. I hate being fat. Fat. Fat. Fat. I been called fat. I felt like a real loser. Especially as a child or a young adult when I was extremely obese. I mean obese. I am sure at one time I weigh well over 300 lbs. Who wants to be called fat! Like….um….no one.

I was having a conversation with my friend who is from China and I was joking with her talking about our weight and she said to me, “you are fat.!” I said “I’m not fat. I am pretty much the average American women. I am not fat.” She was only kidding of course (in the Chinese culture they do not mince words. They say what they think which in America is not always polite or politically correct). She also went on to say that in their culture they do not have any other words to use if a person is overweight. I said well what about chubby? She said, no just FAT! Everyone who is not the norm is called “FAT!”

I was watching a story on the Today Show who reported that though we have been told the average size for the American woman is 14. Based on a recent study by the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education it actually is a size 16. Right now, I am a 14 or 16 in clothing size depending on the retailer. Like I said, my Chinese friend, I’m not fat I am the average American woman!

So, let’s ask Siri. I said, "what is the meaning of the word, fat". His respond was, (Siri is a man on my phone who resides in London, England and I am sure is from the West side) “a natural oily or greasy substance occurring in animal or human bodies, especially when deposited as a layer under the skin or around certain organs.” Okay, so we all have fat. We need fat. Fat is not a bad word until you start defining it as adjectives or verbs. It’s kind of nasty then.

Fat (adjective), “of a person or animal having a large amount of excess flesh, example: “the driver was a fat, wheezing man.” Synonyms: plump, stout, overweight, large, chubby, flabby, potbellied, meaty (my fave) or heavyset. “

There are more. We have so many other ways to describe this human condition. We are obsessed in America with weight either losing it or gaining it (anorexia is a huge problem too).

We have to stop the madness because as believers for us it is all about identity in Christ. What does Jesus think of me. Does God want us to be healthy? Absolutely! But I could not find any scriptures in my translation using the word “fat” that referred to a person in the New Testament. In the Old Testament it is used tons and they are burning a lot of it. When I searched in the New Testament though I could not find the word “fat”, but it brought up scriptures that referenced the Father. So, my point is, it’s not so much about our size but our identity in Christ. Our self-image should be defined by the Father. If you focus on defining yourself based on what the Father says about you, you will be a healthy size. I truly believe that. It does not mean you will be size 4. You may be a size 16 but let God define what is healthy for you and NOT the world.

In most cases, it is never really about the weight or food it is about something else you do not want to deal with and let the Father heal. Believe me I am right there with you. This has been a life long journey for me and will continue until Jesus comes and I will then be fine as wine.

For me it started when I was a child. Very young. I was molested as a child by a neighbor and then several other times later in my childhood. I know I used food to medicate and protect myself. There was a lot of shame that I carried because of that. Feeling it was my fault. What an awful, vile person I must be to let that happen. When I got older I knew that was wrong. And do you know what the bait was that was used and promised if I capitulated? It was food. It was not about sex for me. I had no idea what they were doing but I knew it was wrong because they tell you not to tell. It was only when I knew Jesus that he removed the shame I felt about what was hidden in darkness for so long and allowed me to talk about it with such freedom. I learned it was not my fault. I was a little girl. Those men were the perpetrators. They did evil. Not me. If you can identify with what I am revealing right now, and it is speaking to your heart, I pray the Lord will heal your soul and bring freedom to your spirit. If you need counseling, get it. But I implore you to find someone who knows Jesus and uses prayer in their practice. Holy Spirit is the best counselor. No shame in my game anymore. Jesus wants to set you free.

As I get older, I am really thinking about my health and a long life. Do you know what will keep you healthy? It not just about food. It’s about how we walk out our faith.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. “Proverbs 3: 5-8

Fear God. Living righteously. Obeying God. The way we live our lives and interact with our God leads to divine health. If you do not lean on your own understanding and acknowledge Him in your life. Let Him lead you to divine health. He will tell you what is the right food plan for your life. He will tell you what to eat and not eat. He really will if you ask him. 

It says in Psalm 37- “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” 

Helping you daily is His delight. If you struggle with food, He will help you. He will direct you to the right food plan and exercise for your life. It is not one size fits all. Quit chasing every diet craze out there and find a lifestyle of eating and exercise that works for you. As your seasons in life change. Your plan will change too. What worked in one season of life may not work in the next. 

“You say, I am allowed to do anything-but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 NLT

In the Passion bible it reads:

It’s true that our freedom allows us to do anything, but that doesn’t mean that everything we do is good for us. I’m free to do as I choose, but I choose to never be enslaved to anything.”

I love this scripture and have applied it when making decisions in my life. There are right ways of living that God spells out very clearly in the scripture, but others are choices we make. What I like to call the gray verses the black and white.

God gives us choices. God gives us freedom but chose wisely because you will live with the consequences of those choices. God is not some task master that is going to Lord over you but rather he will be the Lord of your life when you yield your will to His. That applies not just to food but everything in life. 

Some practical lessons I have learned on my weight journey I would like to share hoping this might be helpful to you.

• I believe the that spiritual is connected to the physical. Being physically unhealthy will have an effect on your spiritual life. It really has to do with overindulgence and yes, gluttony. Those are lust of our flesh and there are many scriptures in the bible that refer to that. Part of the fruit of the spirit is self-control which we need to apply to all areas of our life.

• Care about your appearance. Sometimes when we do not feel good about our weight we tend to let everything go. We stop caring about how we look. If you understand that you are valued by God, no matter what your weight you should care about how you look. Look the best you can at your present weight and wear appropriate clothes for your size. Think about who you are representing to the world. 

• Ask Holy Spirit. There is an ample supply of grace for your weight journey. Check in periodically with Holy Spirit and ask Him to give you counsel on what is the best for you.

• Read scriptures about our identity in Christ. Who God says you are. 

• Do not weigh yourself. I am adamant about not becoming a slave to a number. You can measure your progress in different ways. To some women they replace one addiction for another. Addiction to the scale. Their moods become dependent on how many pounds they lost that day or week. It’s a trap for many. The only person you are competing with, is yourself. Do not be a slave to the latest fad diets or trends. Stick with what works for your body. Look to the long term. This is a marathon and not a sprint.

• Drink lots of water. Water. Water.

• No soda, diet or otherwise. Diet soda is worse than the ones sweetened with sugar. They are both bad for you though. Studies have shown that diet sodas actually make you gain weight. 

• Buy clothes that fit as you downsize. Don’t wear the same baggy clothes you wore twenty pounds ago. You may say it’s too expensive. Well shop clearance, thrift stores, and just buy basic pieces not an entire wardrobe.

• Just a bite. Learn to take just a bite of something that you crave. Usually that will curve your appetite. Sometimes I just want a taste and I am satisfied. If you can’t practice that much self-control, then do not do this.

• Keep moving. When I asked older people what advice they would give for a long life, many respond with “keep moving.” Be active both mentally and physically.

• Go on a negativity fast. No negative self-talk. As a matter of fact, no negative talk at all for the next 30 days.

Those are just a few suggestions I wanted to share. I have more but then this blog would then become a book. Listen, I am right there with you. I am not talking as one who has conquered all. I am living this now and day to day. The struggle is real but worth doing. 

In conclusion, let’s not let the world define who we get to be. What we should look like and how we should live. I will never look like a Kardashian nor do I want to. You are the role model in your sphere of influence. This is a lifelong commitment to maintain good health. LOVE YOURSELF NOW! I continue to speak as one who has not yet attained but I am pressing on to my goal. You can do it! Let’s do this together!

Keep Flourishing!!

Barbara

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The Biggest Loser: Thoughts on Fat, Food, and Faith

Who moved my cheese? God did!

Many of you in the business world are familiar with the classic book, “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Spencer Johnson and Kenneth Blanchard. It is a timeless business classic that uses a simple parable to help people deal with the stress and anxiety of change in the workplace and life. A bible of sorts to some.

Most people are fearful of change. The unknown is scary! I have noted over the years the level of fear and anxiety has risen to epidemic levels in our culture. You talk to anyone these days and you will hear their fears expressed about their families, their jobs, and their future. This book “Who Moved My Cheese”, was written to help people navigate through these stress points in an ever-changing work environment. I think it is interesting that a parable or a story is used. In the bible, Jesus, the ultimate story teller, used parables to teach life lessons and instruct believers in what it means to follow Jesus. Telling truths through stories just speak to the child in us. As Christians, being childlike and staying childlike in our relationship with Jesus is very paramount. He is our foundation and he will help us to navigate change in our lives.

Change is inevitable. Going from glory to glory is the path of anyone who is pursuing the more of God. How do we as believers navigate those waters to get to the other side? What keeps most of us from launching out?

Fears. We all have them. Fear of flying. Fear of speaking in public. Fear of being alone. Fear of being rejected. And my personal favorite, fear of clowns. What? Bozo. Ronald MacDonald. As Christians we are instructed time and time again in the word, “Do not fear”.

“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. “1 John 4:18

“The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” Proverbs 29:25

“Be strong and very courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will successful in everything you do.” Joshua 1: 6,7 

Fear keeps us from faith. Fear is the opposite of faith. Fear keeps us from entering into God’s promises. Fear robs us of our inheritance and the opportunity for intimacy and adventure. Are you in pursuit of God??? Do you want to start today in running your race?? GOD WILL MOVE YOUR CHEESE!!!!

Let me tell you a story folks. Long, long ago and in a land far, far way there was a place called the Emerald City (Seattle to be exact). A young Christian woman named Babs or Babbalicious, as some of my music friends called me, lived there. In 1989 God moved my cheese. First, He saved me and gave me a new life. Then an unexpected journey began. I was a new Christian just minding my own business when a few months into this new relationship with Jesus I began volunteering with a ministry called the Seattle Street School. The founder of the school and I both attended the same church. I just started helping out stuffing envelopes. Eventually the school got a building on Capitol Hill in Seattle and we were going to start night school for street kids. I had a great job during the day and volunteered at night. Perfect. That fit right into my lifestyle. 

{Seattle Street School}

Young kids came off the street looking for a safe place, food, and someone who cared because for so many no one else did. There was a lot of spiritual warfare on those streets. Young people were tormented and they did not know why. We would pray for the kids and weird things would happen. I won’t go into detail but for this young believer sometimes I got scurred! Really scurred!!! However, unbeknownst to me the demons were more afraid of me than I was of them. I figured that out later. 

Eventually the school changed their hours to days. Monday through Friday. I had a decision to make. I had a great job and a comfortable life, but I LOVED working with those kids. Andrea, the school founder wanted me to work at the school full time. She was going to offer me a whopping $500.00 a month. She was asking me to leave my great salary, benefits and 401K for $500.00 a month???

I thought to myself, I can’t do this. I began to go over all the reasons why. For one, I had only been a Christian for about a year or so at the time and did not think I was qualified. I was not a pastor. I had no credentials. Never been to bible school. I felt like I was pretty messed up and needed counseling myself. How could I help them? Why me Lord? I am no good. Do you know who I really am?? Of course, He did. The Lord gave me a scripture out of Isaiah 58: 6-9. 

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen; To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you: the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard, Then you shall call and the Lord will answer; You shall cry and He will say, “Here I am.” 

God was telling me to take care of what matters to him and just gave what I had to give. He would actually accelerate the healing process in my own life as I gave what I had to help others. I have lived by this principle. I do not know if I ever feel totally qualified but I know He qualifies me. Spend what I have, and he will give me more. Is that not a kingdom principle?

Still even knowing this I struggled for months trying to make a decision. Every fleece I put before the Lord he answered. It was time to put up or shut up as they say. One morning I woke up and read the morning devotion in “My utmost for His Highest.” I just began to weep. The Lord was speaking clearly to me. I hear his voice softly say, “Follow me.” At that moment I surrendered to his will, picked up the phone and call Andrea and told her I was quitting my job. Total and complete peace flooded me at that moment. I gave my two weeks notice at work and left. I gave up everything. My place to live, my job, my dog, and some friends. I remember for the first month I slept on the floor of my girlfriend’s parent’s home in their study. It was not easy, but it was God.

I remember one day when I was tutoring a young boy name Brian. He asked me why I was there at the school doing what I was doing. After giving him the reasons, Brian smiled at me and said, “that is just like Jesus.” No greater compliment could I have been given then or now. 

There were many moments like that at the school. So many young people whose paths crossed mine. So many spiritual seeds sown through that school. It was a well of living water. The Lord gave me the story from John 4 about the Samaritan women at the well, while I was teaching at the school. She went to the well to get water but what she found was living water. The school was a vehicle to also draw those kids to the same Living Water. Jesus. 

My spiritual knowledge and understanding grew at an accelerated pace. It was at the school I first learned about servant leadership. A passion of Andrea’s. I learned what it meant to be on the front lines of spiritual warfare and I recognized that I had a large capacity to love. I never knew that until I began working with young people. The things I did. I hung out with gang bangers, prostitutes, and witches. Been around not so nice people with guns. Yikes! I was often surrounded by danger but always felt protected. 

{The Team at the Seattle Street School}

When God moves your cheese, his word will sustain you. His grace will be sufficient. He will lead and guide you. You will make mistakes, but you will hear a still small voice getting you back on track. God was promoting me even though in the eyes of others they thought I was crazy. One thing to remember about kingdom promotion is it will often appear to be the exact opposite. When you step out in faith you will have second thoughts. You will feel lonely. You may lose friends or a support system. But I know along the way God will continue to remind you that you made the right choice. He did for me.

We have to remember that God’s kingdom is upside down. What may seem like a demotion to some was God’s promotion for my life. Each of us is unique and has a unique path to walk. God is more concern about who you become then how big your ministry is. The measure of a man or women is not their ministry but their heart. God is concerned about enlarging your heart capacity to love. To reach people. When you have his heart, you will care about what he cares about. You will surrender to Him and LET him move your cheese. Not just one time but anytime he chooses. What is God asking you to do that you are afraid to do? He has need of you. What he requires He will inspire. He is not taking something from you but trying to get something to you. Get ready for a great adventure. God’s about to move your Cheese. Cheddar anyone??

Keep Flourishing!

Barbara

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Who moved my cheese? God did!

Love Never Fails

February is the month that couples celebrate love on Valentine’s Day. When that day is fast approaching many single women begin to think about their lack of a relationship. We find ourselves single for a variety of reasons and finding that special someone seems like a gargantuan task these days. Online dating. Nope. Bar scene. Nope. The gym. Nope. I must and do believe that as a Christian woman, waiting on the Lord is my only option. Could I find someone to date? Someone to marry? Absolutely! I am worth catching but I am not the fisherman. I have watched women over the years, because of their anxiety, find someone to marry and settle for less than they deserve. I don’t want that to be my story. I would rather be single. I do want the fairytale. The romantic pursuit. My friends may not realize this because I do not talk much about something that is very close to my heart. I am a romantic to the very core. When watching the movie, Pride and Prejudice, I love the scenes where Mr. Darcy only has eyes for Elizabeth Bennett. He is smitten with her. In a sea of a thousand faces, he sees no one else but her. He is mesmerized by her and yes, dare I say tortured by the thought of never being with her. I want that.

Now about Valentine’s Day. In whatever relationship category we find ourselves in, it is a day that can make many feel inadequate, empty or extremely lonely. I have known some women as the date approaches find someone, anyone to make sure they have a date so they could celebrate this holiday as a couple. Desperate but true.

I have been single for a long time. A long, long time. If time is a measurement I am an expert at navigating this sentimental holiday. I have experienced a number of emotions on this particular day over the years. I have had a progression of expectations over the years. There are times I have felt lonely and left out. There are times I have felt forgotten. There were times I felt angry and depressed. I have always tried to trust the Lord to bring that right relationship at the right time. I would begin every January with great expectation. This is going to be the year that I actually celebrate this day with the love of my life. Then another Valentine's Day would come and go and still no romance. No flowers. No Candy. No date night. No Bae. Eventually I would just pretend that it was not taking place and ignore the holiday all together.

Over the years I have noticed something. As I began to value myself more, understand who God created me to be, the more I understood that I was not ordinary but extraordinary. The more I understood God plans for my life, the more I came to understand the nature of God and his goodness, the less effect being single on this day began to bother me. Trusting in God’s goodness is key. If I truly believed in His goodness then I believe Psalms 84:11:

“For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” 

If God is good the bible says he gives me all things to enjoy. If God is good, He says, “trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding, seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." 

Let’s think about this. Ponder it. Is God good? Can God be trusted with the most intimate and personal part of my heart? The answer is a resounding YES! As God continued to teach me how much he valued me as his daughter, I understood that I can trust him to bring the right person to me at the right time. I also began to realize that even if that I did not get married I would still live a fulfilling life because my Father in heaven would see to it. He knows me better than I know myself. That is the truth. Sometimes I think I want something and God allows me to have it because I plead and beg. I then discover that I really did not want that thing after I receive it. God knows best. I began to learn THE lesson. TRUST. I did not want more emotions spent on a relationship that God never intended for me to have. A good father wants to protect his daughter from making mistakes and from giving any piece of that precious heart that should be reserved only for him until the appropriate time. “Do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases.”  

I see so many of my beautiful sisters giving their hearts away to men who do not value them because they do not understand their worth. I know it can be hard to trust God with this and believe that He has the best intentions for us when it been years. There were times I heard the voice of the Lord say "no" but I chose to ignore that voice because I wanted my own will. It sounds so terrible to say let alone write. I know we have all done this in different areas of our lives. Eventually I realized this was emotions not well spent. It is exhausting to try to control your own life. I do not want to wait to enjoy my life someday when I am married. I am living now with or without a romantic relationship. This is not a message that being single is a higher calling although I am not saying it’s not if you have the grace for it. I am not being noble. I want to be married. However, it has to be His way not mine. 

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

Now I can celebrate Valentine’s Day with a different perspective. I can see that I am surrounded by so many different kinds of love. My first love, Jesus. The love that never fails me. I have the love of my family and the love of my friends. Sometimes even the love of strangers. I am LOVED. YOU ARE LOVED. The greatest love relationship you will ever have is the love Jesus gives us. If you are reading this and you do not know that kind of love. I challenge you to ask him right now to show you what His love is. He will if you ask him. I pray Jesus will get ahold of your heart and you will begin the greatest journey of your life.  

Practically ladies I would challenge you to celebrate this day. If you find yourself single this Valentine’s day celebrate it. Don’t hide from it embrace it. Buy yourself some flowers. Have dinner with friends. Enjoy a movie. Do something for yourself. Pray and ask Jesus to show you how much He really loves you and I am sure He will. 

If you are married or engaged remember some of your single friends. Surprise them with a card. A small gift. A latte. A phone call, email or text. Believe me it will truly bless them if you do.

There is no sadness for me on this day anymore because I recognized that I am surrounded by LOVE. I recognize I am LOVED. YOU are loved. I am valuable. YOU are valuable. I am worth waiting for and SO ARE YOU. I am not afraid to be single. I do not want to give pieces of my heart to people who do not deserve it. Who will not value it or respect it. My Father does. He always sees you as his little girl. Run to him with arms open wide to embrace all the love He has for you. He keeps my heart in perfect peace because my eyes are stayed upon him. He will keep you too! 

“Love never fails.” I Corinthians 13:8

Happy Valentine's Day!

Keep flourishing!!!

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Love Never Fails

Prophetic Worship: Do you hear what I hear?

worship | ˈwərSHəp | noun the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity: the worship of God | ancestor worship. • the acts or rites that make up a formal expression of reverence for a deity; a religious ceremony or ceremonies: the church was opened for public worship. • adoration or devotion comparable to religious homage, shown toward a person or principle: our society’s worship of teenagers. • archaic honor given to someone in recognition of their merit. • [as title] (His/Your Worship) chiefly British used in addressing or referring to an important or high-ranking person, especially a magistrate or mayor: we were soon joined by His Worship the Mayor. 

(picture taken by me at a Bethel Conference)

Prophetic Worship: Do you hear what I hear?

I love one on one conversations with people. I like to go deep with people and find out who they really are. I think I prefer it to a larger group setting because I have the opportunity to really get to know someone. I am often told by those I meet that I am a good listener. When you listen people open up to you. Sometimes they are often surprised by how much they have shared with me. One of the reasons that happens is because I LISTEN (it is not the only reason but a main one.) This may sound elementary but it is not. Many people when they engage in conversation do not hear you. They are just waiting for a break so they can then interject what they have been holding back for the last 3 minutes while they watched your mouth move. Or they are easily distracted with their surroundings and catch a few things here and there.

Learning to hear Holy Spirit is much the same. He is a person. He wants to speak to you but if you do not spend time listening you cannot repeat in worship what heaven is singing all around you. You have to make room when you are not on the platform learning to hear His voice. When I am worshipping corporately I am always listening. I will often get quiet even on the platform. If I am not leading then I am listening. He needs room. You have to give Holy Spirit space in your worship set. Allow him to be in charge. If you want to enter the supernatural realm in worship you can’t keep doing the same things you have always done. Singing what you know to sing. You may have to wait on Holy Spirit to speak. People get uncomfortable with silence and feel like they need to fill it. Sometimes the waiting is the very thing the Holy Spirit is directing you to do. There have been many times in the waiting that a powerful declaration has come forth and many times not from me. When I am leading I am waiting for that sound to come from someone else on the team. It could be a singer or a musician. These spontaneous powerful moments can't happen if you are uncomfortable with waiting on the Lord.

I remember when I first started leading worship back in Seattle at what was then known as The City Church. I had always been involved in music. Sang my entire life in musical productions, worship teams, and solo performances. I was use to being on stage however, the way this church worshiped was foreign to me. The worship was not like worship I was used to, where you knew exactly how many times you were going to sing the verse and chorus. Their worship was spontaneous. It lasted more then twenty minutes before the service and they would sometimes stop and exhort the congregation.

One day I went to my pastor and I told him the Lord has been speaking to me about leading worship. He said fine and suggested I start out leading worship on a Wednesday night service. The church was still small at the time maybe about 500 to 800 people. I remember the first time I did lead worship I probably never opened my eyes the entire time and couldn’t even look at the congregation. I do remember though Holy Spirit from the start was my teacher. He would give me step by step instruction on what to do. He would tell me to repeat a chorus or move on to the next song. (He still does today) I remember how heavily I relied on His voice.

How do spontaneous prophetic songs come? Listening, waiting, and making room. I am just repeating what Holy Spirit is communicating to me: the sounds of heaven. In the beginning the prophetic songs would just be a few words repeated over and over. Now in my worship the prophetic songs have choruses and verses just like a written song. Now the songs mixed with intercession declare on the earth the breakthrough that is needed at that precise moment.

I have always had a close relationship with Holy Spirit my entire Christian life. When I first encountered Jesus I heard Holy Spirit’s voice. I have cultivated and allowed that relationship to grow. It is precious to me. It is necessary if you want to be a prophetic worship leader or a prophetic person. One day a prophet came to The City Church and told me that God created me to be an original. He said do not be a copy of someone else. How do you become an original? By being dependent on Holy Spirit. There has to be a level of dependency on something other than my musical gift otherwise it’s just another great performance. I realized God wanted me to be a pattern for others to follow. A Forerunner. Holy Spirit guided me through every worship set then and now.

“Who is this coming up from the wilderness, Leaning upon her beloved?”
Song of Solomon 8:5 

I love that picture of our relationship with the Lord. Always leaning. Always learning. Never proud. Always dependent. Always thankful. Do not take the privilege of leading people in worship for granted. Cherish it.

For some of you reading this who are worship leaders in your church, the twenty minute worship set you do every Sunday morning is not where you are going to be able develop your prophetic gift. If it is something you long for then you will need to find another outlet to develop that gift in you. Find a prayer group or start a small group where you have the time to listen and follow Holy Spirit. I was blessed because I had a Pastor who valued the gift in me and allowed me to make mistakes and grow and develop in the area of worship. For that I am forever grateful.

Keep flourishing.

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Prophetic Worship: Do you hear what I hear?