His Hallelujah Lasts Forever

Psalm 111:10 in the Message Bible says, "The good life begins in the fear of God- Do that and you'll know the blessings of God. His Hallelujah lasts forever." In the Amplified Bible the last part of the verse says, ""A good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever."
What does this look like? As my mind was exploring this verse I imagined all of history, people's voices intertwining in the heavens. The picture was voices going up all the praise meeting together in a great flow, a great river of sound and praise, every "Hallelujah", every "Praise you Lord" coming up together never fading, a constant reverberation in the heavens. Every praise literally lasting forever, a great swell of adoration; coming to crescendos as chosen times in history. The dedication of Solomon's temple, the birth of Christ, the Resurrection of our Savior, being just a few but also the greatest. Imagine every praise, starting with Adam, King David's Psalms, Deborah, Moses' Mother when he was saved from the Nile, the small sounds of a joyful child, the singing of choirs, the voice of Jesus Christ on Earth, reverberating forever in the heavens, eternal. The words of saints throughout history, many names, lives, and faces forgotten by all on earth going on forever in the ears of our Lord. The "thank you God" of George Washington, the prayers of my 6 year old son, the dying breath of an old woman meeting her Lord, and the "Amen Jesus" of my one year old. The promise of Psalm 111 is that every praise of the righteous endures, resonates, forever; for the rest of eternity. Praise the Lord!  

Arise and Shine!

Arise and Shine!

Now is the time to seek the Lord and be filled with His presence. In His presence all darkness flees quickly. Then you will shine.

Meditate on the words below from the prophet Isaiah.

1ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you--rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!
2For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness [all] peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon you [O Jerusalem], and His glory shall be seen on you.
3And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
4Lift up your eyes round about you and see! They all gather themselves together, they come to you. Your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried and nursed in the arms.
5Then you shall see and be radiant, and your heart shall thrill and tremble with joy [at the glorious deliverance] and be enlarged; because the abundant wealth of the [Dead] [a]Sea shall be turned to you, unto you shall the nations come with their treasures.
Isaiah 60:1-5 (Amplified Bible)

I love Fall!

Why even bother raking the leaves! I love to see the colors on the ground. The crisp air, the sunshine and even the rain. I am so thankful God created the seasons.

Genesis 1:14 "And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years..."

Confirmations: The Extravagant Love of God

Last week during prayer meeting at church I kept getting the feeling I was supposed to read part of Isaiah 54 over one of the woman there. I felt compelled for half of the meeting, so at the end I did it. I  said the whole chapter was for her but this one part I needed to read over her as a blessing. With tears in her eyes she said that God had pointed her towards that scripture and she had just read it that very morning! Later the same day I checked my email and the Daily Grace Inspiration from Joseph Prince Ministries was on Isaiah 54 too! Wow.
Now this isn't a new chapter to me. I often will write Isaiah 54:13 in baby shower cards. "All your children will be taught by the Lord and great will be the peace of your children." The whole chapter is so beautiful and poetic. It shows the heart of God in such a extravagant way. His love is amazing, personal, and bountiful. He has compassion on those that suffer, and has a great future even for those who feel unloved or unlovable. Read it here Isaiah 54.

Toddler Twins

Twins!

What a handful! What a challenge! What a joy and blessing. Jesus fill me with strength.

"...for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10b

We are the Branches

This is a passage I have had in my heart since I was a child. I had to memorize it in school and always thought the metaphor was interesting and beautiful. Last night I saw it in a new light.

The Vine and the Branches

1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. John 15:1-9 (New International Version)

Last night as a crawled into bed I read it again and it seems to me I had new eyes. I have never seen it like this before. I pictured in my mind Jesus as a huge vine with so many branches. Each one of us is a branch when we accept the Lord as our Savior. God the Father has His clippers though. He wants His vine to be fruitful- He is a skilled and good gardener! I want to be part of His garden. I don't want to be the branch that gets snipped off! I want to be covered with sweet fruit. I want to further His Kingdom, to spread His love and light, to be a spring that turns desert and wasteland into a fruitful garden. How do I do this? How do I do this when I am surrounded by this world? When I am tired, when I have so much to do, when all my children are crying and demanding all at once. Jesus said it. "Remain in Me." "Apart from me you can do nothing." Apart from His grace I can do nothing of eternal value. Fix me to you forever dear God and Savior.

Learning Styles

God made us all SO different didn't He? When my son was younger I started to notice things about him that were a little different then other children his age. Not bad things- just different. He was so compassionate. He cried when he saw a child crying in a baby board book picture. He was sensitive, very competitive, spiritual, adventurous. A quick learner, he hated wasting his time with review. Lets get on to the next thing! I checked out The Way They Learn by Cynthia Tobias from the library and it was such a godsend! That book helped me so much to understand my son. Is there a better gift then that? From reading the book I understood that he was about 50/50 the two learning style that have the hardest time in the traditional classroom environment. Many learning styles do great in the classroom. But for the way my son was created this was one more step in the many that led me to homeschooling (when I would have not considered it before!) Now in my 3rd year homeschooling I am so thankful for this book (even though it is not a book on homeschooling at all) and all the other books and friends and most of all Jesus, that have helped me on the journey. Thank you!!!!

At the Foot of the Cross

One of the songs that has touched me so much is "At the Foot of the Cross" ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk7_SBxYSZs ) by Kathryn Scott. It is so beautiful and described the Christian life so perfectly. It is the prayer of heart.
Yesterday I read a article in a Home School Enrichment magazine titled "Homeschooling at the Foot of the Cross". The author described how she was frustrated during the day with teaching her son, and them both getting frustrated. God brought that article in my life at the right time. My oldest son and I were so frustrated with each other yesterday, he covered his ears and wouldn't listen to me! In the article the frustrated mom confided in her friend who advised her to bring every lesson into prayer with her son. So I pray "Lord please help me to teach this to my son and help my son to understand it. Help us to be filled with your love even in our lessons." Being at the foot of the cross all day in the moment of hardship. Not just s quick prayer in the morning. Teaching your children at home is refining because you are forced to teach things that aren't always easy. I have to deal your your child's behaviors and attitudes all day, and correct and train him in the ways of the Lord. Lord help me and give me grace. I will stay at the foot of the cross.

God speaks in 1 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."
In my weakness, when I submit to Him, I am strong. His strength, not mine! (1Cor. 12:10)

Oh Lord wash me at the cross. Wash away anything that is not of you.

To look up verses in the Bible go to www.Biblegateway.com

Always Being Stretched!

Oh God you are always stretching me to new things, new adventures. Things that you prepare me for but I never completely see coming. But always I strive to say, "Yes Lord. I will do it! With joy and only your strength, not my own."

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous tight hand." Isaiah 41:10

'. . . but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

With God the sky is not the limit. There is no limit!

New Name Love Name

A few Sundays ago our pastor spoke about how when we accept Christ, we wear His name. It's like we wear "Christ" on our chest. A few minutes later when I went into the nursery to pick up my girls, the Holy Spirit brought my eyes to the stickers stuck to their backs. Their new names were printed on them. Not their old ones that they were born with. Not the old life that they were born into with no father in poverty. No they have a daddy now that loves them so much he gave them his name to wear. The names we chose for them are blessing names, names that carry joy. Their birth names spoke of heaviness and grief.
What a picture of what Christ does for us when we accept Him. I get to wear His glorious, LOVE name.

Movies that Don't Damage the Soul

I watched a lot of really yucky movies growing up and I realize now the damage it did to my soul. The cliche phrase "garbage in garbage out" is true but there is more to it then that. Much of the popular media out there today is made to desensitise us to evil things. We see it so many times it doesn't shock us anymore, it doesn't make us cringe when we should anymore. It shapes our worldview and belief system. There is a reason why the Word of God says in Philippians 4:8, " Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Does our media line up with this scripture guideline? How is the Holy Spirit speaking to you about this? If He is not, why not? Get into the Word of God and ask Him if what you are putting before your eyes and hearing with your ears is beneficial to your spirit.

"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive.1 Corinthians 10:23

Here are a few movies that are really good quality, entertaining and beneficial to our spirits. There is a lot more out there but these are a few I have seen and liked very much.

Debt vs. Grace

What good news. We cannot work enough for salvation. We cannot be good enough. There is freedom in that. A pressure lifted off. If we could work for salvation then God would owe it to us. That negates grace. Salvation is a gift. When we believe on Christ then righteousness is given to us. Then everything we do is in love and out of gratefulness to God and love for God's creation. Not to become righteous. No we could never do that! God does that. Read Romans 4:1-8 carefully. Beautiful.

Romans 4:1-8

1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
7 “ Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,

And whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.” (or in the Holman Christian Standard Version it says in verse 8: "How happy is the man whom the Lord will never charge with sin!"

Identical Visions- The Cauldron

Today when a few of us met for prayer at church I kept seeing a picture in my mind and hearing the words "God disrupt our plans, stir up the stagnation. Let us not rely on our own plans and knowledge" And I saw a big black pot like a cauldron with a goopy top (like it was stagnant) and a stick coming out the top. Like God wanted to stir it.
I held on to it for a few minutes, not sure whether to pray about it out loud, or to hold it to myself and pray it through. Finally I spoke it out, giving it to the Lord and praying for His will. When I said the big pot, the gal across from me said that she had been seeing a picture in her mind of a large cauldron and God stirring it up for a couple weeks now and didn't know what it was. The cauldron in her vision was sitting on top of books (not the Bible). I think the books represent the part that I heard not to rely on our own knowledge or plans. She got goosebumps, and we both really were amazed how God spoke to us about the same exact thing so specifically.
Lord show us Your will, show us how to pray for this hour!

God Speaks Without Me Hearing Him

One of my friends found out she was pregnant and had a baby shower in another state. She is a good friend but I didn't send her a present in time for the shower. Acually something kept me from doing it and I didn't know what. I felt a little guilty. It wasn't that I didn't have a present, I have gifts for her; lots of pretty baby girl gifts! Even after her shower I asked for her address and still never sent it, then told her I would wait until I see her this summer after the baby was born to give it to her in person. She had a very pretty girl name all choosen, and the ultralsound had let her know it was a girl for sure. Well she just had her baby a couple of days ago and shock! It is a boy! Now I know why something didn't let me send the gifts. It was Holy Spirit in me, communicating through my thoughts.

Even in our fleeting lives, the little details, like when I sent a gift can be controlled by Him!

Vision of Birth

Our adoption journey was filled with miracles. This is the story of one that often raises my faith and that of others.

We had been waiting for our referral for a number of months and was expecting a call soon. I was at church March 1, 2009.

 The worship time was lovely and I was concentrating on God and His goodness, raising my hands slightly with my eyes closed.  Suddenly and unexpectedly I saw in my spirit an outline of the continent of Africa. Then zoom, to an outline of Ethiopia. Zoom again to a small white house. All of a sudden I saw inside the house. There was a woman giving birth and holding a child to her chest. It was just a few seconds. Immediately the thought came that that was my child.

I told my husband about it and wrote in my journal: " I wonder if our daughter is going to be born the first week of March."
We were quite encouraged and excited to find out over a month later, when we did get the exciting call that yes!

Our girls were born March 6th, the Friday after I saw the vision. 

Homeschool Treasure Find!

Once in awhile I come across sometimes seemingly by accident that is so fun and educational to compliment our homeschool program. I homeschool my 6 and 4 year old boys. My 6 year old is doing remarkably well and is starting 2nd grade work this summer. (He would have been graduating kindergarten now). My friend told me that studies show that most homeschool kids are two grades ahead. I wouldn't have believed it except it is happening to us! Learning can happen so fast when there is so few students and I can go as far as they want on a subject.
Anyway back to my original post. At the library I checked out a audio story series called Rabbit Ears, "American Tall Tales." My kids loved listening to the dramatized Johnny Apple Seed, Mose the Fireman and Stormalong the tough saltwater sailor from Cape Cod (the latter is read by John Candy! I haven't heard his voice in years).
 I don't recommend the one about Rip Van Winkle, it was too weird and kinda creepy. The others have been excellent and helped the boys to understand other parts of the country, and the way people lived long ago when the ideas for these stories were first said around campfires or by grandpas surrounded by grandchildren.  A big bonus is that they are well written so we have the increase in vocabulary.

Amazingly Beautiful

The sunset tonight was beautiful; red, orange, bright pure yellow. Amazingly beautiful.  I looked at all the houses around shut up tight and all the blinds closed; no one was seeing it. I was alone at the end of the street gazing unto the mountains silhouetted against this stunning brightness. God is showing His glory all around. It takes my breath away and leads me to pray. Praise you Creator of Heaven and Earth, Painter of the Sunsets.  

"For Your faithful love is higher then than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches the clouds. God be exalted above the heavens; let Your glory be over the whole earth."

Psalm 108:4-5

"Spring Garden" painting on Etsy

Rwanda: God Places the Orphans in Families

I am overjoyed about hearing of the Rwanda adoption program just starting through All God's Children International. These children are victims of extreme poverty and most have been abandoned. Many are dropped in outhouses when they are born and saintly people rescue them and place them in bags in front of a St. Theresa's orphanage. The sweet nuns from India tirelessly love and care for these sweet innocent ones and nurse them sweetly back to health. There tough beginning makes the start of life very difficult but love is so powerful. All love comes from God. God bless these sweet women making this their life's work. Saving these precious children. More information can be found in this beautiful article: Rwanda's Orphans . Pray for these babies.

"Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:27

"I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you." John 14:18

To Speak or Act on Behalf of God

 Isn't that what the prophetic is? That is the definition of the prophetic according to Patricia King in this great, short, teaching clip: You Can Prophesy on XPMEDIA.COM. I love that I can proclaim the word of God and prophesy over my future, my friends, family, strangers on the street, people God puts on my heart (often strangers) leaders, nations. . .It is very exciting! Living a prophetic life isn't something so strange or spooky. It starts with believing God's Word and declaring it over your situation and choosing to believe the Word over your circumstances.  
For I will declare, "Faithful love is built up forever; You established Your faithfulness in the heavens."
Psalm 89:2

Wisdom

Happy is the man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding, for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold.

She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths peaceful.

She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who hold onto her are happy. Proverbs 3:13-18

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalms 1:3

This painting I did last weekend live during a beautiful worship service at Christ Church Kirkland. I had the privilege of attending a conference they hosted on the prophetic arts. I learned so much. The visual arts teacher was Rik Berry (his website has been down a couple days I hope it is back up soon). What an amazing artist and teacher.  

How Dreams Help Me Help Others- One Example

About three weeks ago I heard a phrase in a dream about a woman I know at church. I don't see her very often outside of Sunday morning and since it was such a strange phrase I kept it to myself. I saw her briefly on a Sunday morning 2 weeks ago and said to her in passing. "I had a dream about you the other night." She said "Oh yeah does it have to do with this?" Well I had no idea she was desiring or thinking about what she said. So I wondered, what is the dream about Lord and what are you up to here? There seemed to be no correlation, but I wasn't concerned about it. The next Sunday my prayer meeting ended earlier then usual so I went to the nursery to help and there she was. As we got to talking I understood what my dream meant and told her about it. Since what she is walking into I am intimately acquainted with I had some advice and we were able to pray together. Without the dream though it may not have come up. It was a key that helped me and maybe helped her to know that God is in control.  

Photo courtesy of my 6 year old son.

Protected

"For He will give His angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways." Psalm 91:11 

http://www.chelseacarbonell.com/

Must Read Books: Adoption and Orphans

This is not a big list (just two books), there are so many great books on this subject out there but I will share my absolute favorites. The MUST reads.

"The Strength of Mercy: Making a Difference in the World One Child at a Time" by Jan Beazely

link to book on Amazon

This is a beautiful true story of the first adoption from Romania that started the agency: (the one we went with to adopt our twins) All God's Children International. It is so beautiful and is such a perfect example of an adoption journey where God was the author and brought them through incredible odds. I have bought and recommended this book to friends and relatives and all say they could not put it down. I read it in an afternoon. It is inspiring and amazing.

"There is No Me Without You: One Women's Odyssey to Rescue her Country's Children" by Melissa Fay Greene

link to book on Amazon

This book is so wonderful that it is hard to describe. The subject is the orphans in Ethiopia caused mostly by the AIDS epidemic. The author brilliantly goes from micro to macro describing the personal lives of peoples involved and then the societal causes and political debacles that cause and effect such anguish. She focuses on what one person can do when they choose a life of love and sacrifice, even if the person is not perfect, just doing what is in their power in love. The writing is top notch which is a huge plus. I gained a vaster perspective on the world and a greater education on the issues that face our world. Most of all it enlarged my heart for the orphan and the suffering ones.

What does it mean to live a prophetic life?

First of all it is anything but boring! Living a prophetic life means being open to adventure, realizing nothing is coincidence. Most of all it is being in a consistent state of expectation stemming from a life of prayer and trust in a personal creator. It is exciting! God warns me or should I say counsels, advises and alerts me of what is to come. He gives me little hints. I often wonder, was that God? It this really going to happen? But then when it does I am in awe. Our Creator is an Almighty One that is in the details. Little details add up to unmistakenly know:

God is here.

In the photo above I am meeting one of my two little twin girls in Ethiopia for the first time. Just a few years before I would have never have dreamed I would be doing this great adventure and being part of such a grand plan. My family's life being linked and sewn together with little ones in Africa needing desperate help.

Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think- according to the power that works in you- to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20