Category: Missions

Consider this your invitation to join my sister, Aimee, our mother, Valeria, my friend Darnelle (who won the book in the give-away), my mama doodle, Gloria, and our dear friend, Janice as we embark on this journey of 90 days with Jesus through the pages of the personal reflections series book by Beth Moore. I would love to add your name to the list!

If you want to join I am giving you plenty of time to locate a book. They can be purchased through LifeWay Christian Supply, Christian Book Distributors, or perhaps your local Christian Book Store. We plan to begin this study in September.

We had first planned to begin in July, but with so many people vacationing and otherwise committed throughout the summer, Aimee and I decided it might be best to wait until school is back into full swing and everyone that would like to join has the opportunity to purchase their books! (Right now it is on sale with both LifeWay and Christian Book Distributors.)

The benefits of this study?
~Time alone with the Lord…learning about HIM! Conversations with Him as we study, learn and pour ourselves out as He pours His Holy Spirit in.

~We can do this study at our own pace each week.

~We can study in our Jammie’s, no make-up, late at night — or first thing in the morning…you choose!

~We will gain spiritual strength and muscle~~ much needed for the the battles ahead as this world changes daily.

So ladies, if you want to join us, put a note on your desk, refrigerator, or set a reminder on your phone…but pick up the book, sharpen your pencil, get a fresh notebook to write what He says to YOU during this time. I will be posting a few more reminders in the next couple of months. Aimee and I are looking forward to this time together as we each share with you our hearts from His word.

Drop me an e-mail that you are joining us in September!

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 (Emphasis mine)

Some decisions are made in hast….some after a long soul searching time….

The best decision I ever made (with the exception of asking the Lord Jesus Christ to live in my heart—and rule my life)….was to become your one and only….For you are my one and only.

“Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” Franklin P. Jones

This ride has definitely been worthwhile. Even though it contained many potholes. At least I was blessed to have you along as the driver of the vehicle—so that when the potholes were hit…I could hear you say….”Mercy!”….and when you ran off the road…you’d say “keep your side on the road”….and when you left the blinker on long after the turn was made….well, you know.

Happy 26th Anniversary “Sweet Man”. I am more in love with you today than 26 years ago! (Wait, is that even possible?)

Luann Prater, speaker for Proverbs 31 Ministries shared her heart with us on Saturday at the “She Speaks Conference”. I urge you to go to the site and purchase the CD of the session, “Preparing for the Battlefield Through Prayer”. I promise you will be blessed.

I won’t go into all the session, for I want you to visit the site —

But please allow me to share this….
When Luann concluded the session, she reminded everyone to go by the “Prayer Room” and find “your name”. So, immediately I made a bee line for the prayer room. I mean, I wanted to know where my name was…

I was already weepy-eyed from the session, but when I entered the prayer room, a feeling of utmost holiness came over me. I had the immediate urge to remove my sandals. I did so quickly and put them against the wall with my bag. Now, I didn’t check the feet of the other women in the room to see if they felt the same urgency, but I knew God had a message for me and I was on ground that had been prayed over and into with the mightiest of fervency.

As Luann had said,the “Names of God” were on both tables, along with little slips of paper scattered randomly all around. As I looked at the first Name of God, it was, El Olam, the Eternal God, the Everlasting God. The next line said: “He is the beginning & the End, The One who works His purpose throughout the ages. He gives strength to the weary.” As I read that, I said to myself and to the Lord, “I am weary”. As I searched the table, peering at all the names, I realized my name was laying directly on that page. As tears began to fall down my face, I realized this was the Lord’s love note to me.
Read Genesis 21:33; Psalm 90:1-2; Romans 1:20. I will share Isaiah 41:28-29 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

I cannot express fully the impact of the feeling of that room. If you can imagine standing at the entrance of the cave where Jesus had just been resurrected …the feeling of expectancy, the urgent desire to “seek Him”. That is exactly what everyone began to do as they entered the room. There were benches for kneeling, chairs placed in circles for group praying, and there were pillows on the floor to fall on your face before the Almighty. There was music playing softly…and I think I could detect the swooshing of the wings of angels as the carried the prayers and praise up to the Father in Heaven.

I knew that I needed to find Aimee as quickly as possible—to show her “her name”! As I began to make my way back to my shoes, I wondered, “how will I find her in this crowd of women”, for by now all the classes had dismissed and there were women everywhere! But when I opened the door, with her back to me stood Aimee, directly in front of me at one of the many book tables. I hurried over and told her “you have got to come find your name!” She looked at my face, tear streaked and puffy-eyed, and I am sure wondered what I had just seen.

As we walked into the room, I slipped my shoes back off and she did likewise, we walked over to the first table, as she began to read, I told her to look for her name as she read the Names of God. I already knew where her name was, but didn’t tell her right away. When she found her name, after she read the page nearest her name, she too began to weep. The Name of God was, “Jehovah-Nissi”—the Lord is my Banner!  

She explained that the Lord had given her that very scripture when her son had gone missing for a few days last year. As the family sought God, in His love and mercy, He whispered into her heart that He was her Banner! The scripture verses listed was the VERY VERSES that He had given her through those hard days of living.

The name of each woman at the conference was on those tables. Laid out before the Lord, we are vessels for His use. As lives were changed this weekend, the Lord is preparing us to seek Him more, work in His fields, prepare His harvest, doing what He calls us to do, as we live our lives each day. In the world, but not of the world.

Sitting in groups as we were, around the large tables, with the noise of chatter on everyside, I had to “scoot” my chair up close to those around me to hear what they were saying. Ladies, scoot your chair up close to the Father so that you can hear Him as He speaks to your hearts everyday. He does you know. He loves it when we share our hearts with Him.

Have a BLESSED day! I love you all! (I think I surprised all my new found friends when I hugged them, I told them I loved them—for girls…I truly do.)

If I could capsule the Conference for you in two words it would be “Life Changing”. I don’t think I will go home the same person. Oh, my face may look the same…same smile lines, same worry lines, same shell…but not the same person on the inside. I have hugged the necks of some amazing women that I blog with daily. I peek into their lives and they mine, as we share Jesus over a cup of coffe, tea or diet coke—all while living in different time zones! Is that neat or what! Whatever the case may be, we share a common bond and a common goal. Christ is the bond, sharing His love is the goal.

This next slide show will give you a few shots of some awesome ladies, Lynn of “Spiritually Unequal Marriage”, Joanne of “Blessed”, Elaine of “Peace for the Journey”, and Robin of “Robinznest”—I thought I had a picture of Kathy–my snow buddy (Blessed Builder)—but I couldn’t find it! I will look for her again tomorrow and get one!Girls, you have my heart! I love you all!
I wish that everyone could have come to this place of spiritual renewal.

I took a couple of pictures with my camera in the “Prayer Room”—girls, what I saw there and learned before entering will blow you AWAY. But, for the thrill of anticipation, I am saving that blog until I get home. It will ROCK your world. I promise.

As I sat listening to Luann Prater give her talk on “Preparing for the Battlefield Through Prayer”…well, I was a puddle of tears. Then when I went into the prayer room, well, let’s just say I had to go find Aimee quick because we had different classes and I told her—“YOU have GOT to SEE this!”. So,…have I got you interested???

Tonight, Renee Swope gave us a dynamic message on “The Shadow of Doubt”. I told Aimee as we returned to our room, tired but yet with such emotions overwhelming us, “that I felt like I had lived so many years in that shadow”…and as Renee said, it’s time to live in the shadow of the CROSS. It was an amazing presentation with some drama at the conclusion. A tremendous blessing.

Let me just encourage you girls, whether you are interested in speaking, writing, becoming a Women’s Leader, or just a better Sunday School Teacher, it is worth your time and effort to leave off a few “extra” wants this year and save your money to be a part of this dynamic group! Sell some furniture (I did), change a lifestyle, eat out less, what ever you need to do if finances are like ours are continually…pray for God to MAKE A WAY. But do your part. Plan to attend next year. YOU will be more than blessed!

We have our final session tomorrow. Then Aimee and I will journey back to Florida. PRAY—ladies PRAY! When we unpack…I will pull out my notes and give you the titles and speakers for the ones we heard. They were all amazing! You can purchase the CD’s of each session online through Proverbs 31 Ministries. I added the link to my title, so click on it! (I bought some new books too….ssshhhh—don’t tell Jeff—he thinks I have enough—but now really, can you actually have too many books? I ask you! It’s like shoes….you need one for EVERYTHING!!

I love you all—miss you all—and can’t wait to share with you about the “Prayer Room”.

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Amazed is the word that comes most readily to my mind tonight as I sit here thinking back on the events of the day. From start to finish…from neck hug of, what seems like “old friends”, the bloggers that I visit with, to meeting new precious women that have such a heart following Christ…with all their might! Amazed at where the Lord has brought us to.

If you look at the pictures in the slide you will see some “amazing women”. Sharing, speaking, writing and we are learning things that we will take away from this place to help build the body of Christ—simply amazing.

I want to share a little story behind the lavender shawl that is around both myself and Aimee. As we were preparing for this conference, a very dear friend of mine e-mailed me and asked me what Wanda’s favorite color was. I responded–all shades of purple. Arriving in my mailbox just a few weeks later, was the most beautiful Pashmina shawl. Lavender. The softest, most luxurious feeling when I wrapped it around my shoulders—but then when I received the e-mail relaying the message as to the why….well, girls I was a puddle of tears.

One Pashmina shawl for me…and one for Aimee, April Powell sent us these precious gifts to represent a “hug” from Wanda. So, with one end wrapped around Aimee, and the other end wrapped around me, we received our hug from Wanda. In a color that she would have chosen if she would have bought them herself, we were loved. We were hugged. Thank you dear sweet April.

Now, ladies—(and if my sweet man is reading)–tomorrow is back-to-back meetings! So, it is off to bed we go! We are two tired chicks! (Aimee is serenading me one of the old Lawrence Welk songs—“Good Night, Sleep Tight…pleasant dreams and all that jazz)…LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Hey ya’ll! It is 1:25 a.m. here —and I am pooped! I have just finished printing…I am packed. All except shoes. Aimee told me that she has an entire suitcase devoted to shoes! Where am I going to sit!!! Oh, yeah, that’s right. I’m drivin’. Did I ask you to pray? Well, pray.

Okay, Iris, I am thankful for EVERYTHING! Now, since I am tired, and have a LOOOOOOOOng drive ahead tomorrow…in less than 5 hours, I am headed to bed. I will post from the conference!!! That way, you can feel like you are there!!!!

Love you all!

P.S. If you don’t know where we’re headed…scroll on down. I am too tired to type anymore…..

She lost her brother today. Unexpectedly. She needs all our prayers and encouragement. My heart goes out to her today having recently faced this same heartache.

Her heart is breaking, her health is not good, but the LORD is sovereign. He is our Guide through this vapor called life. If you have a moment, go over there and pray with her. If you feel lead, place something on your blog encouraging others to pray for her as well.

We must all lift one another up as sisters-in-Christ.
Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galations 6:2

“The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
“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.” Psalm 59:16 (NIV)
“From the end of the earth I call to Thee when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2 (NASB)
“For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help, The afflicted also, and him who has no helper.” Psalm 72:12 (NASB)

God, Your word says, ‘You are a very present help in times of trouble…’ Denise’s family needs Your help right now, for this is a time of trouble for them. Please let Your Presence become very real to them. I ask that you would lift the heaviness of their heart, and that You would bear their burden of sorrow and begin to exchange it for peace and hope. Father, shower them with unexpected tokens of Your love, so they would know how much You really do care.
God, we do not understand suffering, but we are grateful that You have promised to be with us in the midst of it. Let Your words be a comfort to my friend in this time of tears.
In Jesus mighty name~ Amen

Adapted from the “Pray-it-Say-it” Cards (top right of my blog)

“You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip. I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed. ~ Psalm 18:35-37

I have seen “gentleness” in action. I have witnessed the sweet spirit of the Lord in others. I have been blessed with gentle spirited sisters. They were not so blessed.

I was the one with the “physical strength” growing up. The one that helped mother “re-arrange furniture—before school” (ya’ll see where I get it from?), on a morning when it was time for a “change” in the house.

I was the one that learned from Pa-pa how to crank the “chain-saw” (small one) so that I could cut wood for the fireplace in the winter. I LOVED doing that! I know that sounds crazy. He also taught me the correct way to chop what we called “lightered” –from an old “lightered stump” to start a fire with. Now, it seems you can buy “starter” wood!

I was not the gentle one. But my two sisters were. I was the “doer” —Action—must have been my middle name—still today—-I like staying active. But I love the gentleness in others…and wish it for myself.

God has a gentle way with me…in my “not-so-gentle-way”. He directs my thoughts when they turn harsh about certain things—back to a gentle flow. Just this week—I had trouble with my “gentleness”—especially when I heard that family that is near and dear was spoken of with un-Christ-like feelings —my gentleness meter plummeted. My “chain-saw” meter went up! Words can cut like a saw—leaving the affected one ragged and torn.

Lynn, of Spiritually Unequal Marriage prompted me to “watch closely” my words and thoughts. In her post “The Water Drop Experiment” (which we all need to read—again–especially me!) Her post reminded me of things I tend to “forget”—especially when someone I care about is attacked —by the enemy. And the enemy uses anyone willing to be used. I don’t want to be the used. I want to be the “gentle blessing” in someones life. As my dear sisters always have been to me.

The best example of gentleness I have ever witnessed on this earth, was from the marriage of my sister Wanda and her beloved Mark. You never really know what a person is made of until they are tried in the fire. As Mark stood by her bedside—with unwavering faith—the gentleness of his love poured from his heart by his actions, words and deeds. He has a very gentle spirit with those he loves and I am thankful that my dear sister was the recipient of such…for almost 26 precious years. Today would have marked that 26th year. Thank you Mark, for your loving gentle ways—and for everything you have been and continue to be for each one of us. She is celebrating with the LORD today.

I am thankful for my family. For the gentleness of the Holy Spirit—as He guides and directs my heart and mind. I am thankful for healing in broken hearts and homes. I am thankful for the loved ones that will be making that all important commitment to Christ….soon. By faith they are on their way!

Visit Iris… for more gentle—but thankful hearts!