Well..today was the day! I was so excited to get to the Infirmary and get the God Squad to Alvin and have them do their thing. I got a surprise though! Before I left Alvin last Friday, I, in desperation, laid hands on Alvin and prayed for God to remove his pain and I also asked anyone reading my blog to pray. I prayed for his gut to begin to work and for his body to come into alignment with the word of God. I take the boys to his bedside, and there....is smiling Alvin. I say, hey ( kind of in disbelief)....are you feeling better?! He smiles and says, yes..I'm getting some relief. I asked him if he felt like eating a little...and he said he thought so. I introduced the boys, and told him these young men are here to pray for you, and such is their belief, that God answers if they ask, so can we pray for you again now. He says he would be blessed if we would, and after talking a minute says, "I'm going to close my eye's now"....Jamaican, for "GET ON WITH IT!" So once more, I laid hands on his abdomen, and the boys also, they began to take authority over his body and declare the truth over this poor, crippled clay that Alvin is captured in. I'm so anxious to get up there this Wednesday and see how he is. I had went to visit Leslie also, and after praying for his eye's which were horribly infected when I first arrived, they are now clear and pain free. ?????? I think the Lord is trying to tell me something. To stop being afraid to ask, and not to just ask, but to take authority...the authority He has given me, because of Christ, and do the greater things He promised we would do. I ended up praying for a young women at church Sunday who had fibroid tumors. She was from Kingston and just passing through. Pastor asked Brad and I to pray for those who came forward...felt kind of sorry and hoped Pastor would come over and back us up at some point. I took authority over her body and commanded the tumors to leave, and for full restoration. Afterwards, I hooked her up with Pastor Watson's church in Kingston, and hope we hear back from her. Now...I find myself expecting to have an answer to that prayer.
Now..I'm not bragging...I'm surprised. I'm on a huge learning curve here, and when you work in a place that has no hope apart from the Lord, well....He shows up. We can't turn to medical science.....money.....people. It just isn't available, for the most part. But Jesus is...24/7-365. This is what I wanted...to see God @ work. We Americans depend on our paychecks, our 401K's, our Dr.'s and Lawyers. I knew all that and more, entertainment, lifestyle, and fear just naming a few, was in the way of being in the midst of what God was doing in the earth. I just couldn't take Western Christianity anymore. I'm in love. I don't want a casual relationship with Jesus... I want marriage. All or nothing. All or nothing.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Alvin
Am pondering the fact that the power that raised Jesus from the grave has been made available to me.I went to the Infirmary yesterday. Alvin is a personal favorite of mine, who has been in the Infirmary for 20+ years, bedridden. He always is sunny, ready with a smile and a "you look marvelous today Lisa!" That always makes me laugh out loud! He loves to talk , encourage, and is a very bright man. I noticed the last time he had a rag over his face, and thought, he's asleep and doesn't want to be disturbed. I went yesterday then and the rag is still over his face. I asked him if he was alright. He said, no...I'm in horrible pain. I'm constipated, and the medicine they give me isn't working, and they aren't giving me anything else. I prayed for him, for God to remove the pain, and told him I would talk with someone and see what could be done. I told Marla, and she said Alvin has bowel cancer. So most likely, he has a blockage, that will not be relieved, he is not a candidate for surgery here as Jamaica has socialized medicine. Americans take note of that. Anyway, there is no pain medication either, so Alvin will lie there and suffer a terrible death it seems. I have struggled with my faith in the area of healing. 2 of my good friends were prayed for in total sincerity and belief and both died. Not very pleasantly I might add. I know the confidence must be in God and in my relationship with Him, but this is just something I struggle with still....praying in faith for the sick. And frankly....I don't pray that he be healed of cancer. For what? To lay there in a filthy bed another 20 years? God forbid. But just that his pain be relieved. I just don't think such suffering is his portion. I asked Pastor Watson if he goes up there, because the boys sometimes come up and help us. He agreed to take the "God Squad" as I have dubbed them and go pray for Alvin. I'm so relieved, and so grateful. I have every confidence God will work through them, because it happens all the time with these guys, such is their faith. If you read this...please lift up Alvin to his Father.....that the Lord will draw near and pour out His love and encounter Alvin in a new way...that he know he isn't abandoned. And that his pain be removed that he might pass peacefully from this life to his real home. Not a filthy bed...no longer bedridden...seated at the banqueting table with his Lord. Jesus...look upon Alvin and touch his poor body. Please take his pain away that he may not suffer more in this life, but come home in peace. In Jesus name. Amen.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Re-bless from The Year of Loving Dangerously
RE-bless: when God uses a previous word you had forgotten and completely blesses you over again!
One of the first revelations I received, was from EGS (Encounter God Service on Friday nights at IHOP) , Corey Russel preaching outing of John 17.
The Father loves me the way He loves Jesus.
Jesus is interceding for me. Will the Father not answer His prayers? Of course He will! Jesus is praying for me and I am not stronger than the Father! John 17:26…so that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them. The same pleasure the Father has in Jesus He has in me. That’s blowing my mind. I receive that Lord, and I renounce every lie about your character from the enemy. You are Good. You are gracious. You are slow to anger. You are anxious to have mercy. You are faithful. You do not lie. You stay the same. There is no shadow of turning in You. You see my heart and accept me. I believe and receive this. I will rest in it.
One of the first revelations I received, was from EGS (Encounter God Service on Friday nights at IHOP) , Corey Russel preaching outing of John 17.
The Father loves me the way He loves Jesus.
Jesus is interceding for me. Will the Father not answer His prayers? Of course He will! Jesus is praying for me and I am not stronger than the Father! John 17:26…so that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them. The same pleasure the Father has in Jesus He has in me. That’s blowing my mind. I receive that Lord, and I renounce every lie about your character from the enemy. You are Good. You are gracious. You are slow to anger. You are anxious to have mercy. You are faithful. You do not lie. You stay the same. There is no shadow of turning in You. You see my heart and accept me. I believe and receive this. I will rest in it.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Swan Dive
Water From the Temple
Ezekiel 47
The day before our flight to Jamaica, I was captured by this chapter of Ezekiel.
At IHOP, since November of 09, we experienced what we labeled an “awakening.”
The Holy Spirit began to move in power in a way I had not personally witnessed before.
I actually stood back for a couple days just observing and praying. Having witnessed a lot of exaggerated, and postured charismatic activity years ago, I got burned out on that kind of thing. What I didn’t know then and may have kept me from cynicism and withdrawl, was that any move of God will have our “flesh” in it. We, unfortunately, are all He has to work with. So consider that! People, not because they are wanting to deceive, but because they want a touch from God so badly, may exaggerate or even pretend to manifest the Spirit. But in the midst of all that, is the Holy Spirit at work, teaching, leading, guiding us into the power of God. We’re like toddlers in a play pen, and we have to learn to steward His power, and use it in Holiness and righteousness....something we are NOT prone to.
I say all that so that we are not ignorant or afraid when the River is poured out....because it starts ankle deep, then knee deep and pretty soon...if you don’t know how to swim, your not gonna jump in! Your going to stand on the shore and criticize the weaknesses, and how everyone is doing it ‘wrong”, instead of receiving what God wants to give you.
And you want this.....
"It will come about that every living creature which swims in every place where the river goes will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there and the others become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. "
WOO HOO! Not only that but there is “fruit” for food and “leaves” for healing. The water does that....because “it flows from from the sanctuary.
It's starts in the place of Prayer and Intimacy. I want to Swan Dive into this thing!
Ezekiel 47
The day before our flight to Jamaica, I was captured by this chapter of Ezekiel.
At IHOP, since November of 09, we experienced what we labeled an “awakening.”
The Holy Spirit began to move in power in a way I had not personally witnessed before.
I actually stood back for a couple days just observing and praying. Having witnessed a lot of exaggerated, and postured charismatic activity years ago, I got burned out on that kind of thing. What I didn’t know then and may have kept me from cynicism and withdrawl, was that any move of God will have our “flesh” in it. We, unfortunately, are all He has to work with. So consider that! People, not because they are wanting to deceive, but because they want a touch from God so badly, may exaggerate or even pretend to manifest the Spirit. But in the midst of all that, is the Holy Spirit at work, teaching, leading, guiding us into the power of God. We’re like toddlers in a play pen, and we have to learn to steward His power, and use it in Holiness and righteousness....something we are NOT prone to.
I say all that so that we are not ignorant or afraid when the River is poured out....because it starts ankle deep, then knee deep and pretty soon...if you don’t know how to swim, your not gonna jump in! Your going to stand on the shore and criticize the weaknesses, and how everyone is doing it ‘wrong”, instead of receiving what God wants to give you.
And you want this.....
"It will come about that every living creature which swims in every place where the river goes will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there and the others become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. "
WOO HOO! Not only that but there is “fruit” for food and “leaves” for healing. The water does that....because “it flows from from the sanctuary.
It's starts in the place of Prayer and Intimacy. I want to Swan Dive into this thing!
Friday, April 8, 2011
I'm Rich!
I had an epiphany last week. I was saying good bye to my oldest son, Aaron as I was being dropped at the airport, flying back to Kansas City, to finish getting ready for this trip. As always it was extremely painful, especially since he has gone through so much turmoil and personal pain in the last year. On top of that, my four year old grand daughter was in her carseat, downcast and sad because I was leaving...again.
It hit me as I went weeping, into the airport, that the reason that it’s so painful, is not because it’s “bad” to leave, (something I struggle with each time because it “feels” bad) but because my life is so rich. I have so many people I love and am in precious relationship with. I can’t stand to leave any of them. The worst pain is family...but then also dear friends, old and new. I may not know some of them for years, but God has sown them into my heart and given me His love for them. Like Jamaica...the patients of the Infirmary...how special they are to my heart. Other’s have been with me a long time..through thick and thin, pain and joy, weeping and laughing. Still, the newest of my relationships...barely begun through IHOP and CRI...how jealous I am to know them more. They are so extraordinary, with fiery tender hearts for the hurting, lost and wounded. Like Mary of Bethany, they have chosen the “better” thing and are being transformed into something so beautiful.
So when I’m home, and it’s time to go...pain. When I’m in Kansas City, and it’s time to go...yet more pain. When I’m in Jamaica and it’s time to go..pain, pain, pain.
What a privilege. To mourn means you have loved. It means you have something in your life, worth grieving for. How rich am I?
So here I am once more, in beloved Jamaica...I’m going to receive all the joy, laughter, love, sweat and tears it has to offer. And become richer still.
To my family who have had their share of pain because of my journey...because of these choices I make...I say rejoice! We’re rich! Isn’t it wonderful to love one another so much, we don’t want to be apart! ( you can slap me later :-)
Wondering what tomorrow will bring..........give us all dreams and visions Lord...just like you promised, and are even now, pouring out on men and women, young and old. Release your power! In Jesus name!
It hit me as I went weeping, into the airport, that the reason that it’s so painful, is not because it’s “bad” to leave, (something I struggle with each time because it “feels” bad) but because my life is so rich. I have so many people I love and am in precious relationship with. I can’t stand to leave any of them. The worst pain is family...but then also dear friends, old and new. I may not know some of them for years, but God has sown them into my heart and given me His love for them. Like Jamaica...the patients of the Infirmary...how special they are to my heart. Other’s have been with me a long time..through thick and thin, pain and joy, weeping and laughing. Still, the newest of my relationships...barely begun through IHOP and CRI...how jealous I am to know them more. They are so extraordinary, with fiery tender hearts for the hurting, lost and wounded. Like Mary of Bethany, they have chosen the “better” thing and are being transformed into something so beautiful.
So when I’m home, and it’s time to go...pain. When I’m in Kansas City, and it’s time to go...yet more pain. When I’m in Jamaica and it’s time to go..pain, pain, pain.
What a privilege. To mourn means you have loved. It means you have something in your life, worth grieving for. How rich am I?
So here I am once more, in beloved Jamaica...I’m going to receive all the joy, laughter, love, sweat and tears it has to offer. And become richer still.
To my family who have had their share of pain because of my journey...because of these choices I make...I say rejoice! We’re rich! Isn’t it wonderful to love one another so much, we don’t want to be apart! ( you can slap me later :-)
Wondering what tomorrow will bring..........give us all dreams and visions Lord...just like you promised, and are even now, pouring out on men and women, young and old. Release your power! In Jesus name!
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