2008 Is Going Grrreat

May this update find you in the state of Grace! For the Lord is calling all His believers to communion with Him! This intimate place of communion will bring about a union that can not be broken.

I believe the Lord is speaking, "The flood gates have been opened by My Spirit. The Rushing waters of refreshing are here and the Gates of Opportunity are opened unto all those who continue in Communion with Me! So do not delay, Live in the NOW of my Word. Live and experience Life as never before. For NOW is the operative word! In the NOW there is no pain, no grief, no need!

May this word inspire you to Live in the Now of Open Gates of 2008!
A year of Grrreat possibilities!

We have coined a phrase "Be Kissed By Jesus" this last year. That is how we shall end and begin this new exciting INSPIRING Year.
May you be "Being Kissed by Jesus!"

Midterm?

This is a special time of year for me. It is the midterm, or you could say is the bridge between Christmas and New Years. But for me it is not about the bridging as much as it is about the growing into a stronger spiritual being. It is a time of reflection and a time of taking stock of the year's blessings, and the shortcomings in my life.

Thanking is a great part of my life. Thanking people, thanking the nature of life's circumstances and most of all thanking my heavenly Father for all He has done. I pray that I become more humble and obedient to the Father's call.

The Lord has taken the hurts I licked and nurtured and turned them into His loving heart. You got it. I was enabled to override my ego, my fleshly nature that encourages hurt, un-forgiveness and resentment to grow. I allowed the work of the Holy Spirit to flood my soul so I could receive love and give love to those who continue to try to pull me away from His Grace and purpose!

You might have areas in your life where you have allowed the Father to love you into wellness. Maybe you still have other areas where you need His Grace to touch! I know by taking stock of my past year and applying the Word to those still hidden hurts within, the gates of 2008 will open in my life.

Love attracts love. Peace and Joy are present in our lives when we can live free from the bondage of hurts. Harmony with my spirit man exists when I accept people and life as is.

Let us have communion with the Father.
Let us unite with the Christ within.
Let us allow this union to create an indestructible bond!

Lord, open the flood gates of 2008.
Let us not be late! Nor tolerate—those things not of Him.

Let us love to over flowing, as we rejoice in
His gates of refreshing
His gates of opportunity
His gates of setting us free
His gates of the NOW!

Knowing we are His and He is ours!
Our desires have been instilled within
Causing 2008 to be GREAT!

Remain steadfast in the Lord!

I am who I am?

As I think about my life, my children, my husband, and my possessions, I realize they do not make me who I am. I'm so far greater—much more—deeper and so much more spiritual,

There was a time before conception when I was created by my Mother/Father God. I was fashioned after the Great I am. My spirit being is perfect in every way; just as He is perfect, I am also. I was created in the image and likeness of God Himself. I have the DNA of my creator.

Jesus said to know me is to know the Father. Shall we say the same? Please do not get me wrong. I am not saying I am God or even a little god at that. What I am saying is that the "true me" has nothing to do with this flesh and blood or my cognitive thinking.

We are who we were before we became flesh!

I have come to believe that when we were conceived the Lord breathed His ruah "breath of life" (our spirit man who was before we became flesh) into our fetus being to give us eternal life. There in the spirit man lays the statues of the Lord and our purpose and provision for living life.

Becoming flesh and blood!

There is a song about a little bit me and a little bit you. This is referring to a small infant. Yes! I can see where our sons are a little like me and a little like their father. In looks, personality and sometimes in character they resemble each of us.

When we are born of flesh into this pagan world to parents, who are well intentioned and have the experience and knowledge of this world to pass on to us, we begin our learning process. This is not all bad, either! Yet we are taught to ignore our spirit man and to get "real". "There are NO imaginary friends, monsters, or bogie men." Sometimes we are taught that there is no spirit realm at all. No God, no angles, no devil? We are taught to study hard and achieve all we can. Live life on the defensive, trust no one, and look out for number 1 at all costs.

You might think this is all harsh, however, somewhat true, depending on what family you were born into. The more indoctrinated we become to this world and our intellect the more we loose contact with our "true being".

Let us be aware of our drifting into humanity and away from God and our true selves. Let us meditate on the word of God, washing our minds to whom we are, our true identity, power, and authority. Above all, God is Love and we are made of that love. Therefore, tap into the greatest existence, the essence of God and that is you! Tap into your divine nature and become that person God predestined you to be!

The Next Dimension

Are you born again? Are you a believer in Jesus Christ? Do you believe that He who is within you is greater and can over come the world? Are you created in the image and likeness of God Himself?

What about those statements?

If Christ in me is the hope of glory and I truly am a new creature in Christ Jesus, why do I fall short of the cross? Should we pick up our cross and follow after Him? And what in the world does that mean?

I have recently been pondering about who I really am. For sure I want to think the best, yet I fall into the trap of criticizing and judging myself. I am not measuring up to who I am supposed to be! Then the thoughts began to flood into my being my natural human self. I will never be Jesus and I should not expect this mortal man to compare with the perfect man. Yet I do know that I am made perfect! My spirit man is perfect. The light of Christ is within He is forever molding and changing me on the inside. It is only a matter of time that the out side will manifest what the Holy Spirit is doing on the inside.

I get it! Therefore, I surrender to my mortal self, my human circumstances and I allow myself the space to view myself and my life from an objective place. That place is who I am in Christ and who Christ is withn me! The pressure is off. This spiritual dimension is something that most just read about. Most just think about it and imagine it; yet, people do not shut off their emotions and their minds long enough to experience their spirit man. From this place we can see more clearly and are able to know the next action that needs to be taken. All one thing and one moment at a time.

I once made a statement: "God can use me because I don't have much up there!"
It is easier for me to shut off my intellect and easier to allow God to use my complete whole spirit man to minister and speak. Now I am not saying that the intellect has no purpose for it certainly does. But in order to live according to His righteousness and love we must surrender to that new man within and allow our spirit man to direct the human intellect and emotion.

Surrender! Surrender Now! This is the Time and the Place where ever you find yourself whatever condition your are in¦... Now this very second in time. Is there need in your life? In this very moment? In this second let life be! Let people be! Let self be! Then it is easier to go on from here!

I am made from pure agape love and I will exude that love as I surrender to the work that is taking place in my life.. All life is good! God sees your heart, your intentions! It is all there to produce the good within and in my mortal existence. Excepting this process I am able to go forward without reaction and resistance. I can go forward in love and step out in faith with our creator! You know the words of Jesus, I just work where I see my Father working. (According to me)

Is there anything in your life you can do to change the situation, or improve your quality of life, or remove yourself from it? If the answer is "NO", then surrender and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you through. Allow a miracle to happen. Stand in the stance of love! Surrender to the trial or emotion of it all. Where there is surrender there is peace, where there is peace you will find a deep inner joy and profound love you have never experienced before!

Let Love Be Without Dissimulation

(Romans 12:9)

Have you ever heard the words "I love you" from someone you really believed to be your friend, only to find out later that this same person talked behind your back, gossiped about you, and didn't treat you the way a real friend should?

If you confronted that person about his actions, did he admit what he did and apologize for it? Or did he lie and try to cover up his deeds, even though you already knew the facts? Did it deeply disturb you to see him put on a fake face and pretend that he was your best friend and that none of the allegations were true, even though you knew he was lying?

If you have ever experienced a situation like this, you know how very hurtful it is when a "so-called" friend behaves this way. It shows a level of hypocrisy that is deeply disturbing. This type of behavior should never occur among believers, but unfortunately it does from time to time.

To make sure you never fall into this kind of hypocrisy, the apostle Paul wrote and told you, "Let love be without dissimulation."

Love as it is used here refers to the Greek word agape, a word that describes the highest, finest, and most noble kind of love. In the New Testament, it is the single word that is used to describe the love of God. The word agape is so filled with deep emotion and meaning that it is one of the most difficult words to translate in the New Testament. It is perfect, clear without judgments or requirements!

Agape occurs when an individual accepts, recognizes, understands, or appreciates the value of a person, or circumstance causing the viewer to behold this time in life or person in great esteem, awe, admiration, wonder, and sincere appreciation... Unconditional... To lie down or surrender all that is impure and unjust in it all or in the person. That bible tells us it is all GOOD. Such great respect is awakened in the heart of the observer for the circumstance or person he is beholding that he is compelled to love and love through it. In fact, his love for that person or object is so strong that it is irresistible. God works all things together for His good. Awe to see through the eyes of our spiritual heart!

Perhaps the best example of agape is found in John 3:16:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." "Love" in this passage refers to God's agape love for us. You see, the human race was so precious to God and He loved man so deeply that His heart was stirred to reach out and do something to save him. In other words, God's love drove Him to action. God's agape love was so profound that it knew no limits or boundaries in how far, wide, high, and deep He went to show His love for us. If necessary, agape love will even sacrifice itself for the sake of that situation or person it so deeply cherishes.. You can see from this description why agape is the highest, finest, and most noble form of love. This is precisely the kind of love that should exist between believers and believers in their ! life's walk.

The apostle John also wrote, "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:18). Here, John is trying to define "Agape Love", he makes it very clear that real agape love is not merely a matter of speaking easy and empty words; rather it is accompanied by actions that are truthful (actions speak louder than words). It is hypocritical to claim to possess such love while at the same time engaging in unfaithful behavior such as backbiting and gossiping.

We all need to activate God's "Agape Love" which is forgiving and helpful, willing even to sacrifice oneself for the sake of someone else.

A Heat for AFRICA: The Liberian Connection

You might want to ask us, "How did this all happen"? Well it was a combination of the prophetic word, people speaking their heart, and others hearing the call within!

This is how I recall it. I met Carol Kipp about two years ago now, at a WOW conference. We were on a prophetic team who were to give words of encouragement to women seeking God. Heaven only knows the reason I was asked to participate in this conference. I believe it was to meet Carol. That is where our relationship began. Later on the Lord spoke through her and she said I was called to Africa…. Oh my, I knew deep down in my heart she was right.

I will fast forward to the events of May 2007. Dick and I were traveling back to Rhode Island and stopped off in North Carolina to meet with Carol and Alan. This was the first time the four of us got together. I believed the Lord would have us encourage Alan in health and well being. Then Carol gave us another prophetic word telling Dick that he was called to teach and we were to go and do crusades overseas—Africa came up again!

Now there is a student at Rhode Island College Dick has had the pleasure of knowing for the last four years. Nyah Gonkar has an intriguing story on how he has come to the United States from Zahn Clan Nimba County, Liberia. He escaped the civil war by the love of God and became a US citizen. Since then he has been reunited with relatives in the states as well as back in Liberia. His testimony will be posted at another time. Well, in October 2007, while attending a Web development course Dick was teaching, Nyah began to share his deepest desires about Liberia and the possibilities of creating a Website about his village to in some way help his brothers and friends in Liberia.

Later that same week, we received a call from another young gentleman from Liberia who had been in the states for ten months attending school in Georgia. He found our ministry while reading The Good News Today, a local Christian newspaper published in Rhode Island. Kelvin met with us and Nyah to tell us of his ministry in Africa. He is beginning the process with our ministry to gather the information we need to pursue a working relationship with his ministry. Two Liberian connections in the same week!

Dick asked Nyah to find out how we could speak with the pastor at his village. Within a week, Nyah had set up a conference call with the Associate Pastor Alphanso Boore. It was a brief conversation early on a Sunday morning. They have a cell phone, but only have coverage in one spot in the village. The calls have to be scheduled so they know when to listen. The three most important things he said they needed were Bibles, transportation (motorcycle or bicycles), and supplies for the children like paper and pencils. There are no vehicles in the village and they need the bikes to get to the nearest town, which is an eight-hour walk. In their village, they have No electricity, No running water, No bathrooms, and mud homes with thatched roofs.

Meanwhile in North Carolina, our friend Carol received a prophetic word that she is to learn the black culture, and that she will be sent to the area that has been affected the most by the civil war, Liberia, and that a man named Moses would set a path for her to begin churches. We spoke of this over the phone and began to get excited together with what she knew in her heart and what was happening with us. Just think, we would do crusades and she and others would follow up by planting churches.

At the same time, Nyah spoke with his brother in Liberia about getting a Post Office Box as a means for us to begin to send packages to them. As it turned out, Moses is name of the gentleman that will be checking and delivering packages to Nyah's brother, Earnest. Moses will be very helpful with housing and setting things up for us when we visit. Does that sound familiar? The prophetic word our friend received about Moses. Yes, God already has Moses in place!

Many of the people in the village are farmers who sell and barter for other goods in town. Their village consists of about 2,000, men women and children. About 150 of which are church going people.

We were told that a missionary came into their village in the 1800s and set up a church. They have had little interaction with other Christians for fellowship or Spiritual strength. I could hear the plea in his voice. They speak Mono in the village and English. The Senior Pastor, Peter does not speak English.

We are moved with compassion to have a relationship with these loving people of God.. The task is much too big for us alone; yet I know that God has it all planned. He got us this far. A week ago we received a video of the people of the village and their church service. Viewing this video, you would be moved as we are to reach out and touch them in some way. We will be happy to share it with those who are drawn to helping the Yekehyee Inland Church.

Since then friends of ours told us of a Pastor in Florida that will be going Liberia! It was time to get the word out for people to begin to pray for God to open doors that no man can shut and close those that are not in His plan.

Another friend of mine, Pam told me she had packets she and her daughter put together with some Sunday School Children. She has donated ninety of these packets. Each includes toothpaste, brushes, crayons, a little car for boys and hair ties for girls, stickers, and pencils!

We have been in touch with Pastor Tony and his missionary team from Florida. We met Tony through our son and daughter who live in North Port, Florida. Amazingly enough, the timing is perfect. Tony told us he would most definitely meet with them at the village and deliver these packets to them. Dick and I will be going to Florida in December and will be taking these packets with us. God's timing! There is no striving here. God is making a way to reach and answer people's prayers from this Liberian Tribe.

Thus far, our offerings have been small packages of books of John, a Thompson Chain Reference Bible, an NLT Bible and a number of New Testaments, two children's Bibles, some pencils, healing cloths, and our books. There is much more to do. Much more to praying to do—for them and for those who will be touching their lives.

The work had not begun yet.. Is He tugging on your heart to contribute to this work, or perhaps to go to Africa and visit the village delivering a message of the love of Christ? Do you want to help build their school? Maybe you could contribute to the drilling of a well, purchase bicycles or even a motor bike?

As time goes on, I will be adding to this Liberian blog telling you of the progress and process. Please, pray and seek God about participation in this great adventure the Lord has us all on.

You might have your story to add…

Nothing Shall Separate You From the Love of God

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
— Romans 8:38,39

the apostle Paul wrote these verses, he had been living in very excruciating times because he was a Christian. He had been a victim of rejection from friends, persecution from the government, and had lived many months of his life in an isolated prison cell. No matter what his circumstances were at the time, Paul had discovered a divine truth: Nothing no circumstance or situation in this life has the power to separate you, the believer, from the love of God our Father.

Then Paul said, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38,39).

It means to be persuaded, to be convinced, or to be rooted not being swayed by another's opinion. This word tells me that Paul was being tempted to embrace different conviction. This also implies that this had occurred to Paul in the past but is still so strong that it continues to be his conviction in the present. The same it is with us and our experiences with Christ and God the Father. He was persuaded, and he continues to be persuaded. Therefore we have been persuaded, and we continue to be steadfast in that same belief.

Paul's primary meaning is that the love of God is so strong, even physical death cannot separate us from His divine love. Death may separate us from the earth and from people we love, but it is impossible for death to separate us from the love of God, for God's love doesn't stop with the cessation of life.

It is a fact that many believers feel overwhelmed with life's situations. In fact, they often feel so confused and weighed down that they wonder if God is still near to them. This is why Paul adds that even life cannot separate a believer from the love of Jesus Christ.

Paul lets us know that no spiritual being, good or bad, has enough power to separate us from God's love. Not any other creature
The word "principalities" is from the word archai. This is the same word that Paul uses in Ephesians 6:12, where he describes the rank and file of the devil's kingdom. Archai is the Greek word for a ruler or one who has long held a lofty position of power. The plural version of this word depicts an entire group of high- ranking demon spirits that have held their positions of power since the most ancient times. Although angels and demonic powers are indeed strong, they are not strong enough to disconnect a believer from God's love.

Paul had been arrested, bound, and restricted by evil governments on many times, but none of these actions were ever sufficiently powerful to separate him from the love of God. A jail cell may have separated Paul from other believers. However, even in the deepest, darkest, most horrible cell, Paul could go within him and feel and experienced the love of God.

In addition to these points Paul has already mentioned, he uses the phrase "things present" to let us know that nothing that currently exists is able to prevent a person from experiencing God's love. In this case, it means nothing presently existing or nothing that currently stands is sufficient to separate a believer from the all-powerful presence of God's love.

But Paul doesn't stop with the things that presently exist. He goes on to say that "things to come" are also not able to separate a believer from the love of God. Paul has already said that nothing currently existing is strong enough to separate a believer from the love of God. Now he boldly declares that nothing will ever happen in the future that will contain enough power to hinder a believer from knowing and experiencing God's love.

As he continues, Paul also declares that neither "height, nor depth" shall be able to separate us from the love of God. The word "height" is the Greek word hupsuma, which expresses the notion of something that is overhead.. It would include anything that is lofty, such as the sky and the heavens above. The word "depth" is the word bathos, the Greek word that expresses the notion of something that is exceedingly deep, like the deepest, darkest parts of the sea. Now Paul uses these illustrations to say that nothing in the sky or in the deepest parts of the earth has the power to keep one of God's children from knowing and experiencing His love.

To make sure absolutely everything is included in this comprehensive list, Paul adds "any other creature" to the list. The word "creature" is the Greek word ktisis, and it categorically refers to all created things in both the physical and spiritual worlds. Absolutely nothing in either of these spheres "shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The words "shall be able" is from the word dunamai, which describes strength, capacity, or ability. The word "separate" is the Greek word choridzo, meaning to sunder, to sever, to disunite, to tear apart, to disconnect, to cut off, to disengage, or to withdraw.. Notice that Paul says that nothing is capable of tearing a believer "from" the love of God. The word "from" is the Greek word apo, which means away and implies distance. This clearly means that there is nothing that can put distance between a believer and his Heavenly Father.

Romans 8:38 and 39 could be interpreted:
"I have been persuaded, and I still remain convinced, that death, nor the circumstances that often arise in life, nor powerful satanic beings, nor even an entire group of high-ranking demons, nor anything that exists today, nor anything that could possibly happen in the future, nor any governmental power, nor anything in the highest heavens, nor anything that resides in the deepest depths, nor anything that has ever been created is capable of disconnecting us from the love of God or of putting any distance between us and the love of God, which is in Jesus Christ our Lord."

Never forget this message Nothing in this world has enough power to disconnect you from the love of God. No angel, no demon, no government, no creature — and no mistake of your own making — will ever be capable of cutting you off from the love of God. God's love is greater than man will ever be able to comprehend. It reaches to the highest mountain, and it penetrates to the lowest parts of the earth. Regardless of what you are facing in your life today, God's love is with you — and nothing will ever be able to disconnect you from this awesome, powerful, all-consuming love!

Pray along with me:
Lord, I am so grateful for Your love that never fails me and never leaves my side. I am filled with faith knowing that nothing in this world has the power to disconnect me from Your awesome, powerful, life-transforming love. In moments when I feel overwhelmed by circumstances or problems, I ask that You give me a special awareness of Your unfailing love in my life.
I confess that God's love is with me and never leaves me. There is nothing that can happen in this world or in my life to disconnect me from His awesome, powerful, wonder-working, life-transforming love. I walk through each day in peace because I know that the Lord loves me. I have been persuaded, and I remained convinced, that nothing can separate me from the love of God, which is in Jesus Christ my Lord!
Amen! Amen