Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Intercession

I mentioned several reliable prophetic ministries began receiving words from the Lord in January regarding the financial problems we are facing today. Following is Cindy Jacobs' message on her website: www.generals.org

During a January worship service, the Lord spoke to me, ”Cindy, the strongman over America doesn’t live in Washington D.C.—the strongman lives in New York City! Call together my people to pray for the economy.”

The Lord said: ”October 29 was Black Tuesday, the day the stock market crashed, and Satan wants to do it again!”—the economy will crash without effective, fervent intercession.

Shaken to the core at this word from the Lord, I knew that I must call the people of God to converge in New York City the week of October 29 for an emergency prayer rally to cry out against economic collapse in the midst of shaking.

During the week of October 29, some of the finest apostolic prayer leaders from across the country will come together for several days of on-site prayer strikes at key locations throughout New York City, including Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, Mercantile Exchange, Federal Reserve, and the United Nations.

We are calling the body of believers from around the world to join us on October 31 and November 1 in Brooklyn, New York for Convergence ‘08—an emergency prayer rally for the immediate stabilization of our national and global markets.

October 31 is also Reformation Day in Germany. Mike and I were in Germany on this day in 2007, and as we stood before the Wittenberg Door, where Martin Luther tacked the Ninety-Five Thesis, we had four separate dramatic visitations. Each encounter stated it had been 490 years since the last reformation (Daniel 9) and advised that we pray for the beginning of a new reformation.

At that time, I had just finished a two-year period of writing my new book, The Reformation Manifesto (Bethany) on the subject of how to not only be a reformer, but how to reform the arts, media, family, government, education, economic systems, and other areas of society. The political parties within the United States and the United Nations currently run on a platform of reform as corruption is exposed around the world and citizens shout, ”We are tired of being used!” One leader in the U.S. said that it is a result of the addiction to O.P.M. (other people’s money) that corruption has almost destroyed our economic systems.

I am calling you to come from the ends of the earth to P.U.S.H.—Pray Until Something Happens--to shift the economy. What do I mean by “shifting the economy?” Last January, at Chuck Pierce’s Starting the Year Off Right conference, God released a prophetic word that He was going to ”shift the bull and the bear market to become a lion market” and continued, ”And I will have enough shares in this market.”

We know that we are to pray for the nations, but we have not known how to allow the Lion of Judah to run the economies of nations. He is the Creator and knows how to heal nations!

The Lord has shown me that He wants to release a corporate Joseph anointing into the body of Christ in 2009 and 2010. If one looks at the history of the 1929 stock market crash, it is clear that although many suffered, others gained great wealth because they knew what to do in difficult times. This is the manifestation of the Issacar anointing that we cry out to God for during this time of shaking. God will show us what to do.

Although the word I give is a strong, dire one, it is a merciful warning. Judgment can be averted, which allows for blessing and change in economic systems; this will eradicate systemic corruption so that systemic poverty may also be eradicated.

For the Lord says, ”I am answering your prayers and have begun the cleansing of Wall Street; exposing the wickedness and greed in high places. Pray now, and I will begin to give the leaders of the nation wisdom on how to re-vamp and reverse the debtor system currently in place. This is a course correction. If you do not pray at this time, you will miss your day of visitation and the economy will collapse, causing a ripple effect that will sweep the nations with a major tsunami wave.”
”This wave will begin to touch the ground, as even the harvests of the world will be affected. Food shortages, hyper-inflation, and other sorrows, especially affecting the poor will take place.”
”However,” the Lord says, “if my people respond and fall on their face and cry out at this time with a mighty cry, I will hear them and heal their lands.”
”Hear, o nations of the earth! Respond with weeping and travail and pray for the stock markets and economic systems. Pray for your leaders as well for the earth is in the throes of a deep shaking at this moment for the systems of the earth must be reformed.”
”Do not despair and think that I cannot heal—that I will not hear your crying to Me from My throne in heaven. My ear is carefully listening for your sound so I will reverse the curse and bring a blessing upon your lands.”

This is no time for business as usual! As in Joel 2, "it is time for the Bridegroom to come out of the chamber, and fight for the land".

Join us on October 31 – November 1 for Convergence ‘08 in Brooklyn, NY. Together, let’s P.U.S.H—Pray Until Something Happens!

Monday, September 29, 2008

This Is the Day the Lord Has Made

I will rejoice and be glad in it....

I went outside to feed the birds, took my Bible, wanted to read a couple of chapters from Joshua, it was nice outside. I sat down in the lawn chair and realized a little too late the chair was wet. Apparently my neighbor's sprinkler was timed to run some time during the night and sprayed the chair. Nothing else was wet except me and the chair. I started laughing and thought this day may be full of surprises.

I pray your day is filled with joy and wonderful surprises from the Lord.

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.

May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Random Thoughts

My parents had a wonderful time at the party as did all the guests. Today I will attend church with them, the priest has all the people celebrating birthdays and anniversaries come up for prayers. He says prayers over each birthday boy and girl and each couple, he's anointed and prays from the heart.

Even in the midst of bad circumstances, the trials and tribulations of life God is so good. No one ever promised us life would be a breeze, but as humans we want an easy walk, it's our nature. I was so distressed reading a comment in the newspaper, a woman was slamming Christians who think God protected our area during Ike amid all the destruction and the loss of 29 lives (so far in Texas). It was not the fact she does not believe in God per se that got to me, it was the venom and bitterness in which she said it. Not always, but many times when someone phrases their words the way she did, that someone has been terribly hurt in life by the church or a group of Christians. I say this all the time - we are witnesses of Christ's love - we must live it out.

The Aggies won yesterday, they played Army. I don't know if Army has a good team and I should be really happy the Aggies won, or if Army has a really poor team and I should be wondering why the Aggies didn't win by 50 points similar to another Texas team's score yesterday.

Even though I am avoiding the news and TV at this time, I did watch the debate, don't know about ya'll, but I didn't learn anything new about either candidate. Time to fast and pray for our country. Many reliable prophetic ministries have a word concerning the USA and the enconomy which they were given in January concerning late October. I know we all pray for our countries, but Americans I think we need to add fasting to the mix, whether it's skipping a meal, movies, TV, however the Lord leads you.

Have a blessed Sabbath dear sisters and remember stay in the Word!

Friday, September 26, 2008

The Big Day - 50 Years

Tomorrow is the big day, my parents celebrate 50 years of marriage. Like any couple they have had their ups and downs, mundane moments, stupendous moments and everything in between.

We are having a little party at a restaurant. I ordered a round cake which resembles a wedding cake with white icing and some gold icing dotted around it, it will look like lace. I also ordered a wedding bouquet made of silk flowers tied with ribbons to place next to the cake.

I am so thankful for my parents even though they embarrassed me with their senseless rules and boundaries from 1974 to 1980, where are you going? who will be there? will their parents be there?

I am so thankful for my parents even though I spent the fall semester of my jr. year in high school grounded for making F's in Trig. Thankfully the next semester I was demoted to the 9th grade boys algebra class and made D's and C's...they were not pleased with those grades either, go figure.

I was so thankful that in 1977 they gave me a Chevette (anyone remember those things?) for my birthday until a few months later they said they almost bought a powder blue Camero for me, but didn't as I might speed. I became thankful for the Chevette again very quickly.

I am thankful for my father taking care of the man who snatched my purse. I am thankful for the ballet costumes my mother sewed from scratch. I am thankful for all the pointe shoes they bought.

I am thankful for the love they show to each other.

I am thankful for my parents' unconditional love for me and the sacrifices they made as they were raising me.

I am thankful for too many things to list, so I will end here with a prayer.

Lord God,

I thank You for my parents. I thank You for their life of service in the community - dad a police officer, mom a nurse - their service in the Kingdom. I ask You to strengthen their minds and bodies. I pray for them to live in health until it's time for them to live in heaven. Please continue to bless them. In Jesus' Name I pray.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

The Balinese Room

When I was posting as Ike was heading my way, I mentioned the Balinese Room in Galveston. It did not survive the storm. It was infamous in the 1950's because of illegal gambling. It's not history I should be proud of, but it does bring a smile to my face. Headliners included:

Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Groucho Marx, Jack Benny, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Duke Ellington, Mel Torme, Jayne Mansfield and Gene Autry. Also appearing were Sophie Tucker, Joe E. Lewis, the Ritz Brothers, Peggy Lee, Marjorie Reynolds, Phil Harris, Guy Lombardo, Ted Mack, and Jimmy Dorsey. ZZ Top wrote the famous song “Balinese” in 1973.

Patrons would eat dinner in the front of the restaurant and listen to the band as gamblers would gamble in the back. When the Texas Rangers would come in to raid the place, the band played The Eyes of Texas, all the patrons in the front stood up and began to sing, clap, and dance to block the Rangers path to the back room and buy a little time. Meanwhile in the back, there were compartments in the wall, all the gambling devices would be stored in the compartments and the tables would be set with table cloths, cutlery etc and the Rangers would enter to find a room full of people dining. The Galveston County sheriff would be asked why he never raided the place, he always responded with I am not a member. Finally the Rangers led a successful raid and the place was shut down.

It was a little seedy looking when I was a child in the 1960's but it was a familiar landmark. It was restored at some point and became a fun place to visit.

The landscape of Galveston and many areas in southeast Texas are changed forever, just like our circumstances change. The changes may be good or they may be devastating. One thing that never changes is our Father's love for us and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Keep your eyes on Jesus, because out of darkness, joy comes. Restoration and refreshing through the power of the Holy Spirit comes. I say this often, but I cannot say it enough, our Father loves us!

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Poison Ivy and a Hurricane

Just a little humor regarding Ike. I was rounding up the last of the wind chimes, potted plants, and bird feeders in the backyard, I noticed poison ivy growing through the fence near a sidewalk which runs between the fence and our garage. I gingerly passed the poison ivy as I headed to the garage with my arms full and made it past the offensive weed. I thought, I must take care of you when it dries out and the heat returns. I made 2 more trips past it and then it happened, a gust of wind blew and the poison ivy smacked me in the face - right across my eye, cheek, and lips. I grabbed it (I was wearing gloves) and it smacked my right arm. I thought this cannot be good. Do we have any Burts Bees poison ivy soap, do I have any Benedryl? No we did not have any poison ivy soap, no we did not have any Benedryl. I ran inside and washed my face and arm with Joy dish washing liquid, after all it cuts grease and I determined it would take care of the oil from the ivy. Can you imagine a rash across your face and eye? I began to laugh as I thought about it, who has a poison ivy story in the midst of a hurricane making landfall in your area? I suppose that would be me.

I then began to pray earnestly that I would not break out in a rash. I changed clothes immediately and went back out to finish the yard. A couple more times that afternoon I prayed over the poison ivy. Monday a little red circle the size of a dime appeared on my arm, I thought what is this, is this ringworm, what is ringworm??? My neighbor said you have poison ivy. 1 little spot. I think had I prayed about it when I felt impressed to do so Friday night, that spot would not have appeared, but at that point I thought it was dumb to pray over poison ivy when a tree on the side of my house was creaking loudly and about to fall on the air conditioner and my neighbor's father's truck.

Another life lesson about listening to the Holy Spirit. I want to live by the Spirit and be led by the Spirit...so I should listen when He speaks to me and pray how He leads me...let the words from Phillipians speak to you today:

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Texas Aggies

I was supposed to be an intercessor as Norma Dearing led a healing weekend at St. Martin's Episcopal Church Friday and Saturday, due to Ike the weekend was cancelled. So..I found myself at home with spare time. Did I clean? Did I catch up on Bible Study? No, I slept, read magazines, and watched the Miami Hurricanes (what a name!) smash the Texas Aggies Saturday afternoon. It was so sad, aTm played like 13 year olds against Super Bowl champions, though they rallied at the end and scored a few points. There's always the next game. I am loyal to the Aggies and as a fan, I know sometimes the season can be REAL long!

Seasons in life can seem real long, whether it's due to an illness, unemployment, a hurricane, the Bible has a lot to tell us about these seasons, here are a few verses, let them build your faith and refresh you:

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.


We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

So press on. the Lord is with you. And I just have to say it: Gig'em Aggies!

Friday, September 19, 2008

The Sights & Sounds of the Last Week

The sights and sounds of the last week have been from 1 extreme to the other. Last Friday, I drank my coffee while sitting outside listening to birds, praying, and wondering if my world would look very different Saturday evening. As people came outside, the sounds of saws and drills filled the air. I could hear hammers in the distance. People worked quickly and went over to neighbors’ homes to see if they needed help. By mid day we were as ready as we could be. I sat outside watching hummingbirds and felt an occasional blast of wind from the north. Friday night I watched birds and listened to cicadas make a dreadful noise. The last thing I saw was a burst of light in the night sky to the northwest. I took the bird feeders in and began to pray again. My husband was in bed exhausted from getting so many houses ready and thinking he was going to lose his little shack in Matagorda. The winds began to howl, it was so loud we never heard the rain or thunder. I say we, I should say – I, my husband was still sleeping. I sedated the dogs, they are frightened of storms. Every time I almost fell asleep something hit the house and made a lot of noise. After the storm had passed about 12 hours later, it was very silent. I saw a hummingbird trying to find a blossom on a battered Mexican Bush Salvia when I stepped outside to take a look. I rushed to hang the birdfeeders. Monday the sound of generators was our background noise outdoors. Drills began drilling as people removed the plywood from their windows. I could hear hammers as people were making repairs to their roofs. Then the chainsaws began as people cleared trees and cut dangling limbs. Service repairmen are all over the area, Centerpoint Energy, AT&T, Comcast, we are thrilled to see them. Tonight it was pretty quite, no hammers, no saws and for the 1st time since Sunday, no generators. It is has been much easier to be still and know He is God this week.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

HGTV

The Internet and cable were just restored. I don't watch tons of TV, but I do see myself watching Designed to Sell tomorrow night on HGTV as well as a couple of other shows over the weekend. It will be nice to look at something soothing and pleasing to the eye (unless the designer has bad taste, ha ha ha).

The coffee press came through like a charm, Annette drank coffee while 90 mph winds blew. My husband was so concerned I would be w/o coffee, he bought massive amounts of it as well as the largest box of Carnation instant milk you have ever seen, I bought one too which I have been using to "cream" my coffee and it appears I will be doing so until Arbor Day. I bought 5 days of hurricane supplies which I will now donate along with the box of milk my husband bought. I missed reading the news, missed e-mail, most of my friends are still without power, phones are still sketchy and cell phone service is still a little wonky. I really missed the blogs. I will start catching up on your posts now.

My friend Kathleen lost a huge section of roof over her daughter's room, water damaged their entire house. As they learned, you cannot successfully do anything with a tarp as 100 mph winds blow. She is finding pink bits of insulation all over her house. Her sister in law Kay, who has been my friend since I was 9 years old, lost her house, nothing is left, they live in Crystal Beach, TX. My friend Valerie has water again, but no power, she has her 8 month old twin grandsons with her, she finally left for her brother's house in Bellville, she was concerned about keeping everything sterile for the babies. When we were filling coolers and the bath tub with water on Friday to use in case we lost water pressure, young people thought we were crazy because this is not like the olden days when the last major hurricane hit in 1983...olden days, ha! I was one swinging chick in 1983 and I filled the tub with water just in case we lost pressure in 1983.

My heart aches for those who have lost their homes or had heavy damage. We are all so tired, but to have to wade through the insurance mess on top of such losses, to me is as bad as the loss. I saw the Allstate bus in Sugar Land today, tents were set up in the parking lot, the claims line was beginning to form. I have not ventured far from home as most of the signal lights are out, blinking, or missing.

Please keep those who are displaced in your prayers. Recovery comes, but it takes a while, and in this instant society, people tend to lose their patience. Now on to read your posts, I cannot wait.

Love, Annette

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

It's Wednesday

Our power was restored Saturday, we do not have Internet or cable. What I would give to watch an hour of HGTV and look at something pretty. We had no damage. A huge limb from my tree fell on a neighbor's car, didn't scratch it or ding it. Answered prayer. A huge limb fell from my neighbor's tree onto my car (it was on the driveway because our generators were in the garage with numerous gas cans), no scratches on my car. No lost shingles. No tornadoes. The sailors were rescued from the stranded freighter. Devastation just a few miles from me is complete. Ike kept moving and did not add flooding to the misery. More answered prayer. When my Internet service is restored, I will post some pics. Please join me in prayer for those in our region:

Lord God, we thank You so many lives were spared, we thank You there were no tornadoes, no massive flooding, we bless You and praise you for unseasonable cool weather this week, we ask You to reinforce the weather.

Please strengthen the 1st responders, the city leaders, the search & rescue teams, please heal them from what they have witnessed. Please do a mighty work with the media, tender their hearts, deliver them from the negativity they are spewing in many cases and deliver them from what they have witnessed in the aftermath.

I ask You to pour out Your mercy and grace on those in distress. I thank You that You are our Source, You sustain us and provide for us.

I praise You and magnify You in the Mighty Name of Jesus!

Friday, September 12, 2008

More on Ike - Updated 7:30p

7:30p update - winds are higher, surprisingly just a few sprinkles. One power surge. I will be unplugging the computer soon. In Galveston, The Balinese Room (famous in TX history) is built on stilts over the Gulf looks like it may collapse, it has survived numerous storms. The 61st Street Pier is gone.

6:40pm - the forecast for my zip code: Sustained winds 75-110 mph winds, 5-10" rain with flooding in poor drainage areas, isolated tornadoes.

5:40pm Skies are very dark, winds are beginning to gust at 35 and 40mph. We have had a few rain drops. Some houses at the coast have water in them from waves not rain. My priest asked me what I thought would happen to my roof, I said I prayed for the roof to stay attached to my house and the shingles to remain attached to my roof. Glory to God, He is so powerful, He can set an army of angels on my roof to keep it attached. I have plead the Blood of Jesus over my house and garage, I have plead it over my trees, if the trees fall, I have prayed for them to be set gently on the ground not on my home or my neighbors homes. Thank you for your prayers! We need them. I am so thankful to you Sisters in Christ.


Skies are grey, the hummingbirds are still chasing each other, I am waiting until the last minute to bring their feeders in, they need food before the storm, they are drinking nectar out of the numerous salvias I have planted in the yard. Winds are gusty, we should receive tropical storm forced winds in an hour or 2, hurricane force winds will begin later tonight, the eye will pass and the winds reverse, this is when the dramatic damage occurs, I will be blogging away as soon as the storm passes and we have electricity. Coastal flooding has occurred already, a large pier in Galveston collapsed a few minutes ago and a popular attraction Moody Gardens is swamped. More later.


Ike seems to have drifted east last night. I think due to the size of Ike, we will still experience bad weather, but we may not have the 100 mph winds now because technically we may be on the dry side of the storm. I am not sure though due to the size of Ike.
If you are in prayer about Ike, please pray he does not strengthen, please pray for the pressure to rise, please pray tornadoes do not form, and pray he keeps moving - we don't want him sitting over an area causing more than the usual 8 to 10 inches of rain in a hurricane to fall.

I have about 30 minutes of outdoor work to do, make sure all the drains in the backyard are free of fallen leaves and potted plants and birdbaths to move into the garage. I did most of it last night.

So we will sit and wait. For my sisters in his path, I continue to pray for our safety. Let me leave you with His words from PS 121:

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Matters of Foundation

Did you think I was going to write about the foundation of faith, the foundation of Christianity, or some other weighty matter? I am writing about make-up. I went to a local department store to purchase Prescriptives foundation; they really corner the market on shades for near albino people like me. I told the clerk I would like to buy a bottle of “Real Ecru”, she look dismayed and said – THAT’S OUR LIGHTEST COVER, I THINK you NEED something with MORE coverage. I mean, seriously what a way to tell someone they have aged out of the lightest coverage and need something more along the lines of spackle. I thought 1 day you will have areas on your face which proudly display sun spots and wrinkles & gravity is not a theory, it’s a fact…everything from your forehead to ankles will succumb to it unless our Lord Jesus returns in the next 10 years. (Does anyone think I should repent?)

I decided to buy eye shadow while I was there, she gave me a sample of super line preventer or something like that, I had sales resistance, but I failed with the neck cream which promises huge results. I can’t believe I bought the stuff. I mean short of a team of people carrying my neck and chins around, I can’t imagine it looking much different than it does now.

All this being said, I want you to be assured; if Ike hits our area, I will be able to drink coffee using my coffee press and have good coverage in the foundation department.

To my sisters who live in the projected path of Ike, I hope these verses bless you as much as they bless me:

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Waiting on Ike

Today we will monitor the hurricane center's website for Ike every few hours. We may have a better idea of where he will make landfall. I ask you to still pray he will disipate and keep moving quickly to prevent flooding, pray no tornadoes are formed and pray trees do no fall. Trees falling on houses and cars killed a lot of people in 1983 when a hurricane hit our area.

I have most of the things I need on the emergency preparedness list for the days we may not have electricity. We have a gas stove so we can cook without power. I don't think our water supply has ever been contaminated, but I will buy water today. I want to be like a wise virgin and be prepared. My husband bought a generator for my parents, ours is in the garage. I even have a coffee press to make coffee if we lose power, an Annette without coffee is not a pleasant thing!

Let me leave you with these words this morning:

Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me."

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.


But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Patience & Waiting on the Lord

For those of you who read my blog, you know how frequently I blog about waiting on the Lord, prayer, continue to pray without ceasing, pray with faith, and occasionally the P word - Patience. (Patience is not my strong suit, but I am not terribly impatient.)

Saturday night after I blogged about my parents' 50th wedding anniversary, I received a call concerning my god-son's wife whom I will call Liz. She had twins 12/31/07, was treated for post partum depression in late March and then was diagnosed with Personality Disorder which outwardly manifests kind of like bipolar disorder on steroids. We have been praying for Liz big time for some time now but really ramped it up over the last few weeks. Saturday I had prayed for her through out the day as had her mother-in-law. Saturday night as the twins were to be returned to her for a few days, she called my god-son to say she had been drinking, taking sedatives and cutting herself. My god-son who we will call Mike decided he had to violate the custody orders, but didn't really know what to do. He had to file for divorce a few weeks ago so he had rights with the children and could have the court order she was not to be left alone with the twins for the time being. He loves her, but has to look out for the twins at this point. I was so stunned she cut herself in an experiment to see if she could tolerate the pain to cut her wrist. Liz is 24 and a bright girl. She was so full of life just 1 year ago. CPS was called, they said not to return the twins. It's hard to call CPS, Liz is loved by her husband and his family and we all want her healed, mentally - physically - and spiritually whole in Christ Jesus.

My husband called from West Texas after everything had settled down Saturday night and I started crying. I could not believe these words tumbled out of my mouth - the more we pray, the worse she gets. He can't stand for me to cry. He said Mike did what he had to do, you keep praying.

Of course I do not believe she is getting worse because we are praying. I think a break through is around the corner. I checked out the Living Proof blog today, Beth's message was like an arrow fired right at me - and let me tell you, I am 1 big bull's eye. I laughed out loud when I read it and called my friend, she laughed with joy when I read it. Here is Scripture which was in the post:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

So the next time I have the urge to say Hello. God are you listening, I have been praying for Liz for a long time, I have prayed for Mike, I have been praying for the twins, what is the deal!!!! I will remember my previous posts, I will remember Daniel and I will remember the words from Isaiah.

Glory be to the Lord God Who Reigns from heaven, Who never leaves us or forsakes us!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

50 years & Counting

Last night I told my parents I was throwing them a small party for their 50th wedding anniversary at the end of the month. Dad was thrilled because he wanted to do something and is not up to the planning of it, yet. Mom looked shocked, I could see she was trying to come up with an excuse. I told her I already sent a tacky e-mail to tell everyone to expect an invitation for the party which would take place 09/27.

I have reserved the room. I will call the florist Monday to order some flowers and a corsage. My dad requested the corsage, I can remember him saving money in the mid 1960's to buy her a corsage every Easter. He worked on Mother's Day, so they usually celebrated the day before. He preferred Easter off to attend church as a family that day. I will order the cake. probably a 2 tier cake which looks like a wedding cake, thinking white icing with gold accents.

They have been through the in sickness and health bit the last several years. Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, but it is Parkinson's and then of course dad had surgery 10/31/07 and then again 01/09/08 and the long hospital stay as well as the multiple stays from June to August. Through it all they love the Lord and love each other which brings me to my point, through it all Jesus loves us, our Heavenly Father loves us.

Our Father loves us so much, He sent His Son to save us. It is so simple, we cannot save ourselves, we cannot be good enough, but through grace we are saved. The Bible tells us:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus

Friday, September 5, 2008

The Splendor of Jesus

Do you ever think of the royal majesty and splendor of Jesus Christ and His return? As a Texan, royalty in some ways is hard for me to imagine, royalty here usually involves boots, hats, and football. Splendor involves wide open country, hills, bluebonnets, etc. I saw the Crown Jewels in England, though nice, they didn’t knock my socks off (ok there was 1 stone I would have been happy to pry out of a crown and wear home), but Jesus is so impressive when He returns everyone’s socks will be knocked off.

John said, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.” Earlier in Revelation John says I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
When I was little, I thought His sash would look like a sash from a beauty pageant, did I think it was going to say Mr. Heaven? Prince Charming? I also thought one crown would be enough for Him, after all we wanted enough crowns for everyone. I really had a vivid imagination.
I wonder if that day will begin like every other day or will Christians feel a move of the Holy Spirit and know something big in the Kingdom is about to happen? Only the Father knows the day or the hour, but will Christians on earth feel something deep within, an extra burden for prayer for the unsaved, that sort of thing?
We do know how the story ends, our gracious Father has poured out His message through the Bible. Stay in the word, seek 1st the Kingdom of God, stay in prayer. Be ready…our Bridegroom is coming, and when He does - at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Waiting on the Lord

Deer season is approaching, my husband just left (he was scheduled to leave at 1pm) to go for the annual work weekend on the lease. It's about the only thing he'll leave for earlier than scheduled. He left me a list of things to do for his business, one of which did not include writing myself a pay check....just kidding.

I think we can be like that with the Lord, aside from leaving Him of list of things we would like for Him to do, we may jump the gun and go ahead with something that is His will but the timing is all wrong. Not only must we seek His will, we must await His perfect timing.

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God.

I wait for your salvation, O LORD, and I follow your commands.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.
Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

It Finally Happened

I was let go from my part time job yesterday. I told my husband it was the 1st time in my life I lost a job, 1st time I was fired. He said you were laid off, you were not fired. Then he said the thing that made me want to bop him for a second, he said - it was a part time job (24 hours a week), you should only feel partially bad. Apparently I gave him a look, because he said he was trying to lighten the moment.

I know God has a plan for me, He has never dropped me in the fire and He never will. For now I will try to build up my business a bit but not too much and be in prayer about finding a part time job or remain in business for myself. I am thankful for the time I worked for Jackie, she is a mighty woman of God, was such a blessing to me when my father was in the hospital especially the 6 weeks he was in ICU in January and February. Please join me in asking the Lord to bless her.

I want to share some verses with you, hope they bless you as much as they bless me, from John:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Colorado & the Banquet

I had a short but sweet visit to South Fork and Creede, Colorado. 64 was the warmest day and it sleeted for a while Friday afternoon. I saw a lot of wildlife, besides the chipmunks and squirrels which are everywhere, I saw a beaver, a coyote, deer, elk, a bear, and on the way to the airport antelope. I did not see a moose or chocolate mousse. A friend thought it would be nice to see a moose while eating mousse, the idea certainly had merit.

I spent a lot of time in prayer and in the Word. And sadly, came in to watch TV every 4 hours to check on Gustav updates. I prayed for the storm to diminsh and to keep moving. Prayers for it to keep moving are necessary, we don't want it to sit like Allison and Fay did.

I will post pictures tomorrow, they are still on my camera.

The Lord brought me to the passage about the Banquet 3 times in 2 days, and I will share it.

Luke 14:15 - "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."

Luke 14:16-20 Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'"Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' "Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'

I believe this passage applies to our lives on earth as well as our eternal lives, some people believe it applies only to our eternal lives. I have entered the hall only to tell Him I cannot or will not be seated at the table and will be back later. Some of you may have done the same thing. He brought some of my excuses to mind. They are not necessarily bad things, however they took me into the realm of Annette's will be done or even worse Annette's will be done in Jesus' Name. I repented, I hope the next time I am invited to the banquet, I run to the table with joy and sit down to dine with our Lord Jesus Christ.

And I cannot wait to see all you at the table in heaven!