Saturday, June 18, 2011

Brokenness... Tip #3


Broken...That He may make me Whole!
(Tips for Keeping that Heavenly Love Vibrant)

The last couple post, I have started talking about our need for "Continuous Revival," and I've shared some of the powerful tips that God has taught me that help me live victoriously. (To read the first two tips/secrets, go back to my previous post!) As I continue this series, "Tips for Keeping that Heavenly Love Vibrant," I want to share about Tip #3 - It's simply - Brokenness. It's a strange secret, especially to those not spiritually minded. But it's one of the most beautiful secrets of all.

Discover with me the beauty of "brokenness:" Brokenness before my Maker and brokenness before my fellow man. How could brokenness be beautiful, many might ask? Well, with one look at our redeemer, we see the picture: The perfect sinless spotless Son of God lays broken in Gethsemane and broken on Calvary. He's broken for us...He's broken because of me!

"Reproach hath broken my heart." Ps 69:20 
"This is my body which is broken for YOU." I Cor 11:24
"But He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him and by His stripes, we are healed." Isa 53:5

To receive this "uncomprehendable-to-human-mind-magnificent" gift...we too must be broken: Broken from all self, broken from all self-sufficiency, broken from all attempts to earn our own way to salvation. As we see what He chose to do for us, what we could not do for our self, all pride will be gone...we are nothing apart from Him, and we will be broken.

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, 
a broken and contrite heart!" Ps 51:17

"The Lord is nigh unto them of a broken heart and 
saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Ps 34:18

"He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds." Ps 147:3

"For thus saith the high and loft One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite heart and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isa 57:15

Author of "Continuous Revival" Norman Grubb shares the following:

"We are not isolated units living in a vertical relationship with an isolated God; we are members of a human family also, with whom we live in horizontal relationships, and our obligations are two-way. We cannot say we are righteous before God through faith in Christ and continue to be unrighteous among men...Let me put it this way. We can liken a man to a house. It has a roof and walls. So also man in his fallen state has a roof on top of his sins, coming between him and God; and he also has walls up, between him and his neighbor. But at salvation, when broken at the cross, not only does the roof come off through faith in Christ, but the walls fall down flat, and man's true condition as a sinner-saved-by-grace is confessed before all men."

"Unfortunately," Norman continues, "the trouble soon begins again after conversion - and here lies the basic hindrance to continued revival. Continued revival is continued brokenness; but brokenness is two-way, and that means that walls must be kept down as well as roof off. But man's most deep-rooted and subtle sin is the subtle sin of pride: self-esteem and self respect. Though hardly realizing it, while we are careful to keep the roof off between ourselves and God through repentance and faith, we soon let those walls of respectability creep up again between ourselves and our brethren. We don't mind our brethren knowing about the success we have in our Christian living. If we win a soul, if we lead a Bible class, if we have a prayer answered, if we get good ideas from Scripture - we don't mind it they hear about these things, because we get a little reflected credit because of them. But where we fail, in those many, many areas of our daily lives - that is a different question! If God has to deal with us over our impatience or temper in the home, over dishonesty in our business, over coldness or some other sin, by no means do we easily bear testimony to our brethren of God's faithful and gracious dealings in such areas of failure. And we're slow to share these victories. Why? Because of pride."

As we see in scripture, Saul's repentance was insincere as he desired his sin be hidden from the people. (I Sam 15:30) However, the proof of David's sincerity before God is seen when he told the whole world of his sin in Psalms 51. Openness before man is genuine proof of sincerity before God, just as righteousness and love before man are genuine proofs of righteousness and love before God.

It's interesting and saddening to see that when Jesus was on trial, even some of the chief rulers believed on him. Check out the following verse; may it not be our story:

"Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." John 12:42,43

I have to admit, I think I have all too often fit into the category of those above. I love the esteem and praise of men! Yes, I may be convicted upon a point of truth, or I may be convicted by a failure, but I certainly don't want anyone to know that I failed Him, that He had to chastise me and pick me up yet again.....and so I keep those protective walls around my heart. I battle the trials alone with God, and I celebrate the victories that He gives me in these personal areas alone.

Some may question: Does this "need for brokenness" mean it's ok if we have emotional sin-filled "barfing" sessions? (Ugh...I get a distaste in my mouth just thinking of the concept.) I'm certain that it does not. This is not about "emotional barfing." There is no beauty in sin or in the elaborate details of sin, the beauty is in the Savior. Others may disagree, but as a general rule, I believe we should only share when our sinful behavior has effected the body of Christ, when we are still struggling for victory and need prayer, when we see the need to help encourage another struggling brother that he's not the only one to walk this path and victory is possible, or to glorify our God in the victory we've experienced. But to deny the weakness of our flesh (in the past or present) and pretend that we are righteous (or that we have always lived righteous) when, in fact, we have not or we are not currently, is to live a lie.  James 5:16 says, "Confess your faults one to another and pray for one another that ye may be healed."

Unfortunately, many stop with confession. They excuse the need to conquer their sin, or have Christ eradicate their sin...and it continues to plague them. Again and again, they share it with their brethren, thinking that their transparency is all that is needed to be right with God. But there is no excuse for sin. As the verse above implies, one of the most important reasons we confess some things publicly is to PRAY for one another that we may be HEALED! Christ has a high standard, we are called to be perfect even as He is perfect. (Matt 5:48) If we are living in a continual cycle of the same repeated sin, it is because sin dwells within us. (Rom 7:20) If we continue to live in the flesh controlled by sin, we will die...there's no "ands, ifs or buts" about it. (Rom 8:13) We must agonize after God until He gives us the victory. (Rom 7:24,25 & I Cor 15:57) And if we fall again, we confess our sin and seek for victory again. Our path must be continually upward, less and less of me and my besetting sin, and more and  more victory in Him.


Deep deep sigh...

Oh the pain of appearing weak before the brethren if we confess though...  Oh the battle we must wage against the enemy if we are to change. It is so much work. It's so much easier just to say "I'm sorry" and continue living... and continue sinning... and continue confessing... and continue living again.

This past ARME Bible Camp that we hosted in April was a difficult experience for me. Over that week, God showed me where I'd allowed a "breach" in my spiritual armor. It wasn't something that I could correct immediately, so although repentant in my heart, I was really struggling to "stand righteous" before my fellow man with the issue not being resolved. As director of programming and carrying a lot of weight and responsibility during the camp, I just felt more and more tension as the camp progressed. Finally one night things came to a head for me with God. I was to lead "united prayer" for the whole group of attendees the next morning....(we had 500+ in attendance that weekend) and it was a honor and huge responsibility. But I just didn't feel right doing it. I asked myself, "Until I get this worked out with God, until I get things in my heart in order, how can I stand before these people and lead prayer? I can't do it! I can't pretend that I'm worthy of this solemn task."

It was humiliating for me to admit to myself that I wasn't qualified to lead, and that there was a huge battle in my heart. (And obviously, none of us are "qualified" in and of ourselves! Only in Christ.) However, as a leader, it was an extra difficult struggle. I didn't want to appear weak to my teammates or my best friends that were in attendance. But I finally resigned myself, I would not stand up front again until the "struggle at hand" was resolved. (It consisted of making something right with a wronged entity and could not be done instantly.) I went to sleep that night with tears in my eyes and a broken heart.

However, God had other plans in mind for me. The next morning I set out to find another teammate to lead our morning united prayer time. (It was too late to make these arrangements the night before as I'd been out late talking to God about it all). However, that morning God stopped me dead in my tracks. "Melody...you need to lead the united prayer today. Do not get someone to replace you!!! YOU need to lead!! But you are not to lead it as the person you want everyone to see you as, "perfect-with-heart-spotless." You need to share that, though not worthy, you come to pray in need of a Savior...for that's where everyone is at...they need to come now, realizing that although everything may not be in line in their lives, that doesn't keep them from coming and praying. In fact, that's WHY they so desperately need to humble their hearts and accept the Savior's healing hand and cleansing blood.

To give a little background on how our ARME Bible Camps run....the whole theme and focus of each camp is revival: Revival in Bible study, revival in prayer, and revival as God's people in mission. Each camp we see the Holy Spirit poured out, but at each camp it happens in it's own unique way. Often times, the spiritual atmosphere will be high, and things continue as the week goes along. However, there has always been a distinct breaking point for the attendees, when collectively, it seems, everyone breaks into a new thresh-hold of surrender and seeking after God. A point when it seems that the Holy Spirit really begins to be poured out in greater measure. Often times we see this within the first couple days, after a powerful testimony from one of our speakers, after confessions and brokenness in morning prayer. However, sometimes it does not occur until the all-night prayer vigil. However at this camp, although already nearing the weekend, we still had not experienced that spiritual break thru. Our entire team felt the need, but the break-thru had not come yet. Something was missing.

Interestingly enough, the week before the camp, our prayer director, Martin, had written our team the following e-mail. As I trembled over what I felt God was asking me to do, I remembered his e-mail.

April 3, 2011

Dear ARME Teammates,

What I fear most is that the sin of pride in my heart (or in the heart of one of our team members) will hinder the outpouring of God's Spirit upon us at our next ARME Bible Camp at Cohutta.

Andrew Murray in his book Humility writes, "The danger of pride is greater and nearer than we think, and that especially at the time of our highest experiences.... Paul was in danger without knowing it: what Jesus did for him is written for our admonition, that we may know our danger and know our only safety."

Let's take the time to truly humble ourselves before the Lord. As we humble ourselves, let remember that just as our love for God means absolutely nothing if we have no love for our fellow man (1 John 4:20), the same goes for humility. Andrew Murray writes: "It is easy to think we humble ourselves before God: [but] humility towards men will be the only sufficient proof that our humility before God is real."  


Hmmm....sounds a lot like what Norman Grubb is talking about in being "broken." At the time I hadn't read Norman Grubb's book, "Continuous Revival," but the principle even then spoke to my heart. With trembling knees and tears streaming down my face, I knew I must go before the group that morning to lead united prayer. Not because I was worthy, but because just like them, I needed my Savior.

So I did. Never one to be nervous on the stage, I literally was shaking...I had hoped not many would attend, after all, it was 6am in the morning. But even though the "united prayer time" was optional, the house was full. I didn't pull any punches. With pounding heart, I told everyone that I had battled with God over whether I was going to lead "united prayer" that morning. I told them I hadn't wanted to do it, and I didn't feel right standing before them when there was an un-resolved "breach" in my heart. But God had impressed me to confess my fault before the brethren and to share from the brokenness of my own heart our utter need of a Savior. So I shared from my heart. I confessed what I was struggling with...not because it affected any of those present, but because I felt God was calling me to humble my hearts before them and share that I too, had need and could not stand (or kneel) apart from Him. Many in the audience had tears in their own eyes as I shared, but I was unaware as I pressed forward by the conviction of my need for cleansing, and that we all needed to come with greater surrender before His throne. "Those who would rather die than perform a wrong act are the only ones will be found faithful." I shared. "We must forget trying to appear righteous before each other, all our righteousness is as filthy rags. We must be righteous before God. We must put pride and self aside and come to our Savior to be clothed in His righteousness. And we must do it TODAY...we never know if tomorrow will be too late!"

As one of my favorite authors quotes...

"It is a lamentable fact that the erring heart is unwilling to be criticized, or to subject itself to humiliation by the confession of sin. Some see their faults, but thinking confession will detract from their dignity, they excuse their wrong, and shield themselves from the discipline that confession would give to the soul...but in passing out of the path of confession, they fail to be faithful examples to the people. They see the errors of others; but how can they have courage to give the advice, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed,” when they have failed to follow this instruction in their own lives? It is not agreeable; because it does not flatter their pride, but reproves and pains? Ministers and people, if saved at all, must be saved day by day, hour by hour. They must hunger and thirst for the righteousness of Christ, the illumination of the Holy Spirit." {FE 239.2}

"Away with this false dignity. Fall on the Rock and be broken, and Christ will give you the true and heavenly dignity. Let not pride, self-esteem, or self-righteousness keep anyone from confessing his sin, that he may claim the promise. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). Keep nothing back from God, and neglect not the confession of your faults to your brethren. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed” (James 5:16). Many a sin is left unconfessed to confront the sinner in the day of final account; better far to confront your sins now, to confess them and put them away, while the atoning Sacrifice pleads in your behalf. Do not fail to learn the will of God on this subject. The health of your soul and the salvation of others depends upon the course you pursue in this matter. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him: for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:6, 7). The humble and broken heart can appreciate something of the love of God and the cross of Calvary. Ample will be the blessing experienced by him who meets the condition by which he may become a partaker of the favor of God." 

"We are to surrender our hearts to God, that He may renew and sanctify us, and fit us for His heavenly court. We are not to wait for some special time, but today we are to give ourselves to Him, refusing to be the servants of sin. Do you imagine you can leave off sin a little at a time? Oh, leave the accursed thing at once! Hate the things that Christ hates, love the things that Christ loves. Has He not by His death and suffering made provision for your cleansing from sin? When we begin to realize that we are sinners, and fall on the Rock to be broken, the everlasting arms are placed about us, and we are brought close to the heart of Jesus. Then we shall be charmed with His loveliness, and disgusted with our own righteousness. We need to come close to the foot of the cross. The more we humble ourselves there, the more exalted will God’s love appear."{1SM 326.2}


Wow...deep breath....

So, with tears in my eyes, but peace in my heart, I called my brothers and sisters forward to pray. And we prayed...we confessed our sins (those that were appropriate to be shared publicly) and we confessed in our hearts, and we re-committed together to make things right before God and with our brethren. What a beautiful time of prayer that was. I felt broken and pained that I'd had to share, and yet a deep peace filled my heart that I had done the right thing.

Right after I sat down, our morning devotional speaker got up. But a fellow teammate called me out of the meeting. "Melody, I have to talk to you right now. What you shared this morning is right where I'm at. I've been holding something in my heart, and yet professing to be surrendered....and God told me today, that was for me. One of the things in my heart was something I was holding against you. I'm so sorry," my sister confessed with tears in her eyes. I was shocked, I'd never seen her cry. But we cried together and hugged and God brought greater unity between us.

The rest of the day strangers kept coming up to me and telling me how my "public confession" had prompted them to make something right with God. One crusty older man with pony-tail going down his back approached me. He looked like a "biker, smoker, druggie" from years gone by. But he grabbed my arm as tears came to his eyes. "Melody! I've pushed God out for many years. I've felt like Christianity was a farce. It all just seemed like a circus or an act. But today as you shared and cried, this old crusty heart of mine began to break up, and for the first time in years God got through to me. Thank you for sharing." [Later this man came forward with the decision to choose Christ and be Baptized, and I wept from the sidelines.] The testimonies continued from this person or that. Some of my teammates told me, "That was the break thru we were waiting for...God's spirit is really being poured out now."And it seemed that their words were true. All of us were really searching our hearts, all of us were going deeper.

In retrospect, all I can say is, I'm ashamed at my own weakness and pride, but humbled and thankful that God broke through and was able to use that "broken experience of mine" to help many others. Pride continues to seek to rear it's ugly head in my heart...it is constantly fighting for supremacy in this area or that, constantly fighting to be acknowledged and coddled. And only when abiding in Christ am I able to be victorious and stomp it out. The battle continues. But I've learned a lot...and Christ is continuing to take me deeper...I'm more willing to be transparent, and more willing to share the daily victories that He gives me. I'm also realizing the significance of this second secret in the area of "Continuous Revival." Brokenness before God and before our fellow man is so key!


One of my favorite books, Steps to Christ, has this powerful quote:

"However trifling this or that wrong act may seem in the eyes of men, no sin is small in the sight of God. Man’s judgment is partial, imperfect, but God estimates all things as they really are. The drunkard is despised and is told that his sin will exclude him from heaven; while pride, selfishness, and covetousness too often go unrebuked. But these are sins that are especially offensive to God, for they are contrary to the benevolence of His character, to that unselfish love which is the very atmosphere of the unfallen universe. He who falls into some of the grosser sins may feel a sense of his shame and poverty and his need of the grace of Christ; but pride feels no need, and so it closes the heart against Christ and the infinite blessings He came to give." Steps to Christ, 30 (1892)

"Lord, please deliver us from our pride and make us broken vessels. Broken that you can make us whole, broken that you alone can fill us, broken that your strength may be made perfect in our weakness."

For those of you desiring to be challenged at a GREATER LEVEL, I encourage you to click on the following link, scroll to the bottom of our prayer page, and download the "BEAUTY of BROKENNESS"


It's something we often share with our camp attendees, and I often share in my prayer travels. And it's impacted many lives, including my own. Until we have a right conception of where we are, we have no right conception of our NEED of Him.

Something else that has really been a powerful tool in helping me draw closer to Him, is going through the CLEANING the INNER SANCTUARY by Leslie Ludy. This is a process and may take days to complete, but it will help you surrender areas of your life to God that you didn't even know you needed to surrender.

One last powerful quote:

"The reason that we carelessly indulge in sin is that we do not see Jesus. We would not lightly regard sin, did we appreciate the fact that sin wounds our Lord .... A right estimate of the character of God would enable us rightly to represent Him to the world. We are dependent upon Christ every moment; He is our source of supply. All our outside forms, prayers, fastings, and alms-giving cannot take the place of the inward work of the Spirit of God on the human heart. When one is fully emptied of self, when every false God is cast out of the soul, the vacuum is filled by the inflowing of the Spirit of Christ. Such a one has the faith that purifies the soul from defilement.... He is a branch of the True Vine, and bears rich clusters of fruit to the glory of God." Sons & Daughters of God, p. 290

So...I have now shared the first THREE Tips to "Keeping that Heavenly Love Vibrant." (To take Secret-Getaways, to Walk Today, and to be Broken Continually!) And with these tips applied, we can't help but experience Victorious Living and Continuous Revival!

"Not unto Him that is able to KEEP YOU FROM FALLING...and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy." Jude 24

Stay tuned for Tip #4 to come in a future blog post! ;-)

*To learn more about United Prayer and hear testimonies from ARME, please visit this LINK!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Walking TODAY in Him... Tip #2


Tips for Keeping that Heavenly Love Vibrant!
All He asks is that we walk with Him TODAY!
"Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path..." 
Ps 119:105 

I remember when I was a little girl, I always looked forward to what would happen "tomorrow" or "next year:" Tomorrow I can go swimming. Tomorrow I can go to a friend's house. Next week I will be leaving for summer camp. Next week Mom will help me make a dress. Next year I will be a teenager. Next year I will graduate. Maybe next year I'll have a boyfriend...

Yes, I did have many fun "todays"...but it seemed in my younger years especially, I was always living for what would happen "tomorrow."

Unfortunately, I also did a lot of living on the experiences of the past - both bad and good. If something bad had happened, I would often continue to see myself in the light of that "former failure." If I tripped up in the present, I excused myself with the rational that I really couldn't do much about it, because it was something affecting me from the past.

If something good had happened, or if I'd had a certain "high point" in my walk with God, I would often continue to live on that memory. The fact that I was struggling today, or maybe my life wasn't what it should be today, or maybe I wasn't happy today was pushed to the back of my mind...because I had yesterday's high to lean upon, and I had a better future to look forward to.

To look forward to the joys of tomorrow, to being grown-up, to being more mature spiritually (like our parents or godly role models), and to the unexpected love that we hope God has around the corner is not wrong. In fact, much beyond the fleeting moments to come, we are told in scripture to look forward to Christ coming. (John 14:2,3) We are told to reflect on the future He's prepared for us. (I Cor 2:5,9) "For we are saved by hope. But hope that is seen is not hope. For what a man seethe, why doth he yet hope for it. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it." Rom 8:24,25

But as I've entered my adult years, I've realized that the are also dangers in living too much in the past or too much in the future, as we did in childhood. If we are not careful, it can prohibit a work that God needs to do in our lives TODAY. Hear me out...

Many of us, myself included, may at times find ourselves living on the spiritual milestones, moments, or heights of the past. (Maybe it was something God did for us from last year, maybe it was that "secret get-away" we took with Him last month, maybe it was something He showed us in His Word last week, maybe it was something from yesterday!) While it's good to reflect on how He's worked in our lives, and to remember special milestones in our past, we can't substitute them for today's walk. As one author puts it bluntly, "We make too much of past happenings and too little of today's walk." If I stay in the past, I may not be walking victoriously in the present. I may even excuse sin or issues in the moment as I look back on my past thinking to myself, "After all, what I did today is not really me. Look at the experience I had with Him yesterday, or the experience I had with him last year. I know, His grace covers my sins today. Because we know each other from before...I don't have to stress about today!"

I love to read....and recently I started reading a powerful little booklet called Continuous Revival - The secret to Victorious Living by Norman Grubb. (He's also the author of Reese Howell's Intercessor - one of my favorite books on prayer from this past century!)  This book on revival caught my attention because after all, my goal is to experience continuous revival! We're all looking for that "secret" right? We all want to be victorious every day. We all want to be alive and walking with Him every day! 

Of course, as I read his book, I realized what he is sharing is not new. The secret is none other but living in an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. But this book breaks things down and makes "the abiding life" practical in ways that are so simple. It's beautiful and easy to understand. Let me share about one of the most fundamental secrets:

"Today's WALK!"

The emphasis in scripture is not on some spiritual high, or victory from the past or expected victory in the future. It's on the walk...the walk of the present moment. The walk of today...

...walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit
...walk in the spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh
...walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called
...walk not as other Gentiles walk
...walk and please God
...walk in [his] statutes, keep [his] commandments and do them
...walk before [him] and be thou perfect
...walk in love, walk as children of light
...walk after the Lord your God
...As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.

When you think about this, it's so obvious! Walking is a step-by-step activity. With a destination in view, to get there you must walk...and keep walking...forward...here and now. The implications are in the present moment, not looking back, not looking ahead, but here and now on the path before us. If I stop and look back, I wont keep moving forward (I might even turn into a pillar of salt like Lots wife), or if I stop and try to look too far ahead, I might stumble at what is at my feet now. After all, why would He tell us, "Thy Word is a lamp to my FEET, and a light to my PATH." It's all about faithfulness in today's moment. It's about not tripping up with what is at our feet.

There's something else that often trips us up when we look at our past rather than focusing on today's moment. I alluded to this before. It is false condemnation from our failures, or excuses for present shortcomings. Even though we've confessed our sins and given them to God, Satan loves to throw our past sins up at us over and over again. He also loves to tell us, what we've been in our past, we will also be in our future. But the past is past, and as long as we've given it to God...it's over. We have no excuse to stay in "victim mentality" year after year. Our sins have gone to the bottom of the sea (Mic 7:19), and as the dear Corrie Ten Boom use to say, "There's a sign posted - NO FISHING ALLOWED!"

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, He is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold all things are become new." II Cor 5:17

So today, we walk in the moment, step by step in obedience to Him, following His guiding, looking to His eyes for discernment and direction. "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go. I will guide thee with mine eye." Ps 32:8 The past is under His blood, the future is in His keeping. We focus on walking today...strong and victorious IN HIM.

"I die daily..." I Cor 15:31

"Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation." Heb 3:15

"But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Heb 3:13


"Never the less, I must walk today, tomorrow and the day following..." 
Luke 13:33

In a powerful little book called, "That I may Know Him" the author writes:

"God will not occupy a divided heart or reign from a divided throne. Every rival that holds the affections and diverts them from the God of love must be dethroned. The Lord demands all that there is of us, and there must be no reserve. Christ has purchased us, we are His heritage, and we are to be honored by being co-laborers with Jesus Christ. Wear the yoke with Christ, and daily walk with God. How shall we do this? By laying hold upon the help which God has provided. The Lord has said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7)

"God has bought us, and He claims a throne in each heart. Our minds and bodies must be subordinated to Him, and the natural habits and appetites must be made subservient to the higher wants of the soul. But we can place no dependence upon ourselves in this work. We cannot with safety follow our own guidance. The Holy Spirit must renew and sanctify us. In God’s service there must be no halfway work."


So dear friends, let's stop living on the revival we experienced last year, the revival we experienced last conference, or the revival we experienced last time we really made "quality time" to spend with Him. Let's have revival today! We may not be able to afford time for a "secret get-away" every day, but let's walk with Him today... He holds our hand. He will not fail us. "For I the Lord God will hold thy right hand saying unto thee, fear not I will help thee." Isa 41:13

"We may have the same help that Christ had. We may have the strength for every emergency; for God will be our front guard and our rearward. He will shut is in on every side." God's Amazing Grace, p. 259

"Choose ye THIS DAY whom ye will serve..." Josh 24:15

"I call heaven and earth to record THIS DAY against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." Duet 30:19

I'm sure that in heaven alone will we realize the significance for ourselves and others, of our having lived a consistent daily harmonious godly life here. So let us seek to live TODAY...to glorify our Lord!

[Author's note: By the way, you should do a Bible study just on the topic of "the Walk" - it's powerful!]

Sunday, June 12, 2011

"Secret-Getaways" with my Lover... Tip #1

Tips for Keeping that Heavenly Love Vibrant!

Ok, because of my suspicious roommate, the secret is out, so I have to tell the REST of the story...as Paul Harvey use to say, just to clear the air!

So I have the habit of sneaking away, every so often: Away from the hustle and bustle, away from those I live with (roommates, family etc), and away from distractions that seem to take all too much of my time. Sometimes it will be a quiet secluded corner in peaceful restaurant or coffee shop (even though I don't drink coffee). Sometimes it will be beside a peaceful river or stream. Sometimes it will be up on a mountain trail or scenic lookout. (My favorite is a secluded spot I discovered along the Oregon coast recently - pictured below.)


I have a lot of fun on these "secret getaways" for each time I discover that my Lover has prepared a beautiful feast. And each feast contains "secret delights" and delicacies that I cannot find on my own. In fact, I almost feel guilty to be enjoying such exotic feasts, for I realize that there are many that have not yet discovered this beautiful bounty... the bounty that only gets more delightful and amazing each time we go out.

"He brought me to the banqueting house and His banner over me was LOVE." Song of Sol 2:4

But how can you try to explain such "secret getaways" to your friends....especially to a roommate that has only lived with me a month and is a baby Christian, still trying to just grasp the "ABC's" of the walk. To her my utter consumption and time away with Him doesn't make a lot of sense as she still turns to "good movies" and "Bible study mentors" for her "spiritual high." So to be honest, the last few weeks I haven't really even tried to explain....I've just told her... "I'm going away for some alone time. I'll be back in a few hours."

Recently as I've been dealing with new challenges in ministry and facing changes in my own life and the lives of those I love, I've been taking lots of these "secret getaways." (And honestly, I'm not sure how I would keep going if I didn't have them, for they've helped provide a warmth and sustaining vibrance in my walk with God for a number of years now!)  However, the last few weeks, as I've taken even more time away, I guess my new roommate has become more and more suspicious. After a day or even a few hours away, I come back refreshed, alive, and with a special glow on my face, it's no wonder she thinks something "fishy" is going on. So the other day she texted me while I was away. Here was her exact words, "Do you have a secret boyfriend??? If you do, I think that's wonderful. I will pretend that I don't know and I promise I wont tell anyone. But you don't need to sneak around me, Mel!"

You should have heard the laughter that erupted from my heart. (I've never even had a boyfriend for starters, and when I do, I promise it wont be a secret!) But then I turned serious as I realized, "This girl is serious! She can't imagine why I would take so much time alone with God, she actually thinks something else is going on!" Oh my... so I texted her back not to worry...that I was not trying to pull any "wool" over her eyes. It was just me and God. I think she was a little disappointed she didn't learn some new juicy detail about my life. But as I was thinking about it more, I realized..."Well, her suspicions are right, sorta...." While it sounds really weird and I don't like to look at the almighty God and Creator of the Universe as my "boyfriend" - truly He is the Lover that has captured my heart and keeps pulling me away for solitude with Him. And this shouldn't be a secret in my life...He's not ashamed to share His deep love for me...why should I be shy and reserved to share my deep love for Him???


God has led me to some beautiful places lately, during our secret get-aways. I wont share what has happened during our time together or the things He showed me (after all, some things ARE meant to be kept secret), but I'll just say that it's been wonderful. Truly, each "date out" gets better and better and more beautiful. I can't imagine what it will be like to spend eternity together with Him....

"He that dwelleth in the SECRET PLACE of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the almighty." Ps 91:1 (Emphasis added!)

This is too good to be kept for myself though. You know what?? He has some "Secret-Getaways" He'd like to take you too as well...so why don't you take some extra time away and spend with Him. It's one of my favorite "personal secrets" to keeping my Heavenly Love vibrant and experiencing continuous revival in my life. It's also what helps me have "spiritual food" to share with others. And that's one of the reasons that we need to be continuously revived anyway? Right. Not just so we can hoard all these "delicacies" for ourselves, but so we can share with many others that if they only TASTE and SEE, they will discover that He is goooooooooood, very good. (Ps 34:8)

(See blog posts below with SLIDE SHOW of pictures of some of the beautiful plaees He's taken me recently!)

The "Secret Getaway Pictures"



These "Secret Pictures" go with blog post immediately above... 

Saturday, June 11, 2011

How to BEAR life on the ledge...


I tend to think and reflect on deep levels as most of my blogging reflects, but I love to smile and laugh and enjoy the humor in the more superficial joys of every day life as well. And while I dislike e-mail forwards (in fact, most of them I don't even look at), this one I got the other day was too cute to pass by.

Most of you have probably seen these pictures or heard the story before...I guess it happened back in 2007, out near Lake Tahoe California. But the e-mail pictures and story took 4 years to make it to my inbox...and it was sooo amazing I just had to share it.

So one day this bear was crossing a bridge....I guess because it wanted to get to the other side. (smile smile) And some cars came along and it got spooked. And not knowing what was on the other side of the guard rail, it jumped over the edge....but somehow miraculously, it managed to catch the edge under the railing!!!!! How could a 300-400lb animal do this? I have no idea! But it did! Check out the picture below....


Well, the animal rescue guys weren't sure what could be done, so they left the bear alone...however, they came back the next morning and discovered him still there...asleep on the ledge that had almost cost him his life.



So they decided....they had to create a rescue plan. And they did....by putting this net under the bear. Then they shot him with a tranquilizer and pushed him into the net. Then they lowered him to safety!







And when he woke up, he walked out of the net and was free! Wow!! What a miraculous rescue.

As the e-mail goes: "There is a moral to this story; this old bear made a wrong move and found he was hanging by his nails. Somehow he was able to pull himself up onto the ledge where he saw he was in a very bad, impossible situation and what did he do? Yep, he took a nap and sure enough, God took care of the situation while he was asleep. The moral of the story is that when confronted with a bad situation, sometimes the best solution is to take a nap and let God take care of the rest."

Or in our vernacular....we could say.... "Rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him." Ps 37:7 and "For the Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." Ex 14:14

So....I think I'm going to take a nap right now. God is on the job...and He can figure my life out better than I can...even when I get myself on to impossible ledges.

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

The Bible that FLEW past security check....


You read about stories from years back, about Bible's that snuck past security check points, but to be honest, I've never really seen it happen in my own life...

Well, today one of my friends from across the ocean shared how God did just that with a Bible I'd sent her a few weeks back. As the story goes, she was out studying her Bible one day and accidentally went off and left it in the park. As she told me about it on the phone, it didn't seem that she had easy access to another Bible either. Wow...can you imagine?? I have three of them on my shelf....pretty much all collecting dust. (After all, one is all I need at a time!) So to only have one Bible and then lose it, would be a true tragedy indeed...and one I can't imagine happening.

Well I had just gotten the new Remnant Study Bible. (Wow!!! Do I ever love this Bible....I think it will be my Bible for the rest of my life....if I don't wear it out first.) So when Raluca told me she had lost her only Bible that she had with her where she was working in Romania, I knew I had to send her one immediately. So I did. I also gathered a few other powerful books that I wanted her to enjoy. What fun it was to collect those things to send to someone that I knew was soooo hungry for the Word and for Biblical stories of faith and inspiration. Well, as I put things together....since the Bible was so heavy (well, not that heavy, but heavy enough for one package) I decided to mail the books in a separate box. But they were BOTH mailed from the same post-office at the exact same time. We expected it would take a week or so to arrive. However, I was shocked when 5 days later the package with the Bible was in her hands. And she didn't have to open it for the customs security or ANYTHING. They delivered it right to her!!!

It didn't seem that amazing to me though....until she told me more today....and until I found out that TODAY, almost 3 weeks since the Bible arrived...she JUST NOW got the "other package" - The one with all of the books. Well, actually, it's not in her hands yet because they didn't deliver it to her door like they did the Bible....they told her that it was waiting at customs for her to come and get and open for them.

Isn't it AMAZING that the BIBLE package slipped past customs right to her doorstep almost overnight....and the others....well, they took their good old normal time??

Makes me think maybe the Angels were flying it there....because after all...they knew what was inside. Isn't God good??

Saturday, June 04, 2011

Because He Lives...


Sometimes God allows us to struggle up steep mountain paths, only to realize when we arrive at what we thought was the top...there is still far to go. Sometimes He leads us down a long road only to realize when we get to the end....it is not the destination we thought it would be. Sometimes God allows us to walk through deep waters...but in the waters we discover He is carrying us...He is carrying us through. I just praise the Lord that there is nothing He allows us to walk through alone.

"But now thus saith the Lord that created thee...fear not for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by name, thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest in the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Isa 431,2

Although the road may seem long and we may grow weary in the journey, there is a reason to continue on. This reason is summed up in the lyrics to what has become my "newest favorite song."

The reason we can go on?

"Because He Lives!"

Because He lives, 
because He rose in mighty triumph from the grave.
I put my trust in Him and seek
to follow Him in faith.... because He lives!

Because He lives, 
I shall find strength to stand against the tempters power.
He is my refuge and defense in every troubled hour...
because He lives, because He lives....

Because He lives, 
I can bear whatever burden may be mine.
I am encircled in the arms of love divine,
because He lives....because He lives.

Because He lives, 
He will banish every shadow of my pain.
Every sorrow will be swallowed up in Him,
for in His hand is healing for the weary soul.
This I know...this I know....because He lives....

Because He lives, 
my heart is filled with peace amid a world of fear and
through the blindness of the night,
in Him I rest secure, because He lives...

Because He lives,
there is no task so great that I cannot endure.
I bear no heartache that His tender mercy cannot cure...
because He lives, because He lives...

Because He lives, 
I can bear whatever burden may be mine.
I am encircled in the arms of love divine,
because He lives, because He lives.

Because He lives, 
He will banish every shadow of my pain,
every sorrow will be swallowed up in Him,
for in His hand is healing, for the weary soul...
this I know...because He lives....

Because He lives, 
I will fear no darkness.

Because He lives, 
I will walk in light.

Because He lives, 
I will praise His kindness.

Because He lives, 
hope shines ever bright.

Because He lives, 
I will seek His righteousness.

Because He lives, 
I'll follow where He leads.

Because He lives, 
I shall conquer even death,
And I shall live, because He lives....

Because He lives, 
I will rejoice with Christ and glorify His name,
and with the willing voice of gratitude
proclaim, my Savior lives!

Because He lives, 
He will banish every shadow of my pain,
every sorrow will be swallowed up in Him...
for in His hand is healing for the weary soul...

This I know, this I know....BECAUSE HE LIVES!

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And thou after this skin, worms (heartbreak, sorrow, loss) destroy my body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." Job 19:25,26