JESUS IS "LEANING IN" TO HEAR WHAT I HAVE TO SAY

Recently I was with a group sharing fun, food and fellowship, otherwise known as "living, laughing,  and eating chocolate".  Right in the middle of sharing an experience, it seemed as though there were 5 other conversations going on, so I stopped talking, thinking.......it's obvious that what I'm saying is of no interest to the others.......when one person leaned in, made eye contact with me and said, please finish your story.....I'M LISTENING!   In that instant I sensed the Holy Spirit whisper....I'M ALWAYS LISTENING!    It washed over me......how many times have we just felt like NO ONE is listening.....we aren't even sure if God is hearing our prayers, and JESUS leans in and says, "go ahead, tell Me.....I'M LISTENING!"  In fact scripture says "he inclines His ear to me."

Psalm 116:2
For he hath inclined his ear unto me, and I will call upon him during [all] my days.

Think about all of the conversations going on, all the stories being shared with Jesus RIGHT NOW, and yet HE HEARS WHAT I'M SAYING!!!  How incredible is that......I finished my story, and although the whole group did not hear the end of my story, the ONE that it was intended for, heard it and their heart was touched and my heart was touched because I was reminded......that HE IS LEANING IN TO HEAR WHAT I HAVE TO SAY!

I am overwhelmed by God’s grace and mercy this morning! 

A few days ago a Girlfriend showed me how to tie a scarf to turn it into a cute vest.

This morning, I pulled one of the scarves out that I had worn often,  after I lost my hair due to the cancer treatment .  

As I slipped on the vest, tears formed in my eyes and trickled down my cheek.  I sat down in the floor of my closet and thanked God that I am able to DREAM AGAIN!    Re-inventing the use of one of my scarves that reminded me of days past, full of pain and sorrow, TODAY, brought about tears of gratefulness and praise! 

  

Last fall, our Women’s Conference theme was DREAM AGAIN!   Helen Keller once said, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.”  I know what it is to suffer.  Today, I am so grateful to be a VICTOR not a VICTIM to the suffering.  I am an OVERCOMER!  I AM DREAMING AGAIN! 

The scripture says in Habakkuk 2:2-3 “And then God answered:  Write this.  Write what you see.  Write it out in Big Block letters so that it can be read on the run.  This vision message is a witness pointing to what’s coming.  It aches for the coming, it can hardly wait!  It seems slow in coming, wait, it’s on its way.  It will come right on time” (The Message translation)

Although there were times during my suffering, my vision was clouded, my dream seemed to be fading, God, in His mercy walked me through the “valley of the shadow of death” and today, when I allowed my SCARF TO DREAM AGAIN……………….I too felt the surge of His Presence in my Present!

Although it seems slow in coming, WAIT, it’s on its way, it will come right on time!

DREAM AGAIN!

STILL TRUSTING~STILL GRATEFUL

One year ago today, March 30, I took my last round of Chemo.  This morning I opened my devotion book, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young and that's when I saw it written, "my last day of Chemo".  Last year I had highlighted the very first words on the page, "I AM TAKING CARE OF YOU, Trust Me at all times."  Today as I read those words, tears began to cascade down my cheeks as I realized how powerful those words were to me last year and how POWERFUL they still are to me today! 

I am taking care of you. Trust Me at all times. Trust Me in all circumstances. Trust Me with all your heart. When you are weary and everything seems to be going wrong, you can still utter these four words: “I trust You, Jesus.” By doing so, you release matters into My control, and you fall back into the security of My everlasting arms.


Before you arise from your bed in the morning, I have already arranged the events of your day. Every day provides many opportunities for you to learn My ways and grow closer to Me. Signs of My Presence brighten even the dullest day when you have eyes that really see. Search for Me as for hidden treasure. I will be found by you.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
—Proverbs 3:5

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, “Destroy him!” Deuteronomy 33:27

I had my doctor's appointment last week.  It was a VERY good visit.  I am scheduled for my next PT/CT Scan in June.  Although they cannot tell me, I am cancer free, they can tell me that I am a ONE YEAR AND THREE MONTH CANCER SURVIVOR, and I will continue to believe that I am cancer FREE!  

I will continue to trust that He will drive out the enemy, saying, “Destroy him!”

Still TRUSTING

Still GRATEFUL!!



My Caffeine Gift From Jesus

After I left the parking lot having stopped by our local Christian Bookstore, Salt Cellar,  I looked up and saw the STARBUCKS sign.  All of a sudden I thought…………….I want a Caramel Macchiato   There was NO one in line.    I placed my order and started driving to the window.   That’s when the thought hit me…………I should have called the office and ask if anyone else would like something……………..but it was too late, I was already at the window to pay.  As I rolled my window down and the rich aroma that is only identifiable with a stop at STARBUCKS hit me in the face and out of nowhere the TEARS started.  The young man told me how much it was and I handed him my card.  It was pretty noticeable that I was tearing up and he said, “are you ok?”   Trying to smile instead of doing the “BLUBBER” I said yes!   As he prepared my order,  the realization of another milestone to my “normal” life had just happened.  It has been almost 2 years since I have  ordered a Caramel Macchiato   (one of my favorite, comfort drinks before cancer).  I pretty much cried all the way back to the office.  As I apologized to everyone in the office for not calling to see if they too wanted their favorite comfort drink, I began to BLUBBER again, as they laughed at me and cried with me over my STARBUCKS run and my caffeine gift  from Jesus!

MATT IS HOME

Over the many years that Gary and I have lived in the Lawton/Ft. Sill community, we have attended MANY deployment and redeployment ceremonies.  With each one, a tear always finds its way, trickling down my cheek, when the National Anthem is played and we witness the tearful goodbyes or the joyous reunions of families and friends of soldiers.  My heart however, has never truly grasped the depth of those emotions until I stood in the stands waiting for our son to walk through the doors after a year in Afghanistan. 

 

The anticipation building with every moment was electrifying.   

I remember 6 years ago watching my son's expression as the doors opened to the sanctuary and he saw his bride walk through the doors.  It was a picture that could only be captured through the lens of my  heart.   It was priceless.  Equal to that photograph in my mind is the snapshot that I took when I saw Lisa's face as she watched with giddy anticipation for her soldier to walk through the doors at the SEC of Ft. Carson.  

Then the music started and the booming lyrics of "I'm Proud To Be An American" began and the tears began to flow.  I have reflected on that moment   Two soldiers, among many,  were being reunited.   One had fought on the battlefield for my freedom, and the other had fought on the battlefield of the homefront to preserve the peace and freedom of my son's  heart.    I'm so grateful! 

HE'S HOME!    Thank you all  for the many prayers you have prayed over the past year for Matt and Lisa!  

BeYOUtiful

Recently we had the incredible BeYOUtiful Girlfriend’s event.  We had over 500 women in attendance, plus a few of our “boyfriends”!   The evening was filled with great food, fellowship and FANTASTIC entertainment with the LFA Jersey Girls, not to mention the very entertaining Runway Fashion Show!  Thanks to all of the models that participated, especially our AWESOME Pastors who were such great sports and who “lit the stage up”…………….LITERALLY.  (of course I wouldn’t be referring to the board shortsJ)   Our special guest, Lauren Nelson Faram was phenominal!  She spoke to the hearts of every person attending, from the Little Girlfriends to the mature Girlfriends!   It was such a great evening and I want to thank everyone that came together to make it one of our GREATEST Girlfriends events EVER! 

Something else happened that I shared briefly about, but would like to share a little more in detail.  In December of 2010 when I was diagnosed with cancer, I must be honest with you, I struggled with being able to see beyond my present circumstance.  I had many questions!  I had many concerns!  I cried A LOT!  One day I received a card from a dear friend and intercessor.  It was dated December 23, 2010.  It read:

                “My dear friend Debbie:  This morning I woke with you on my mind!:)  The reason for that is because the Lord gave me a dream about you! 

                In the dream you were very excited about a new door of opportunity……ministry…….following the Lord to a new place.  It was something I could tell by your words and countenance that it was a NEW work God was working in and through you!

                The joy radiating from your face was WONDERFUL!!!

                Also in the dream we were with a group of women walking into a room for an event…….not sure if it was a bible study or event…….BUT the point was that so many women kept coming in, more and more chairs had to be brought out and we the women of the church kept moving the chairs over to make room for more……..more……..and more!

                Debbie, I am so honored that the Lord chose me to speak to my heart about you in the night watch………….to encourage you!!  He knows the awesome journey you have walked so far and how THANKFUL & BLESSED you feel in your heart about the wonderful abundant blessings God has poured out upon you and yours to this very day…………….in the dream you expressed this too……….

                How awesome it was to see that praise for the past and then to see the THRILL in your heart for the future! 

                I am excited and encouraged myself that the Lord Jesus allowed me to see a glimmer of “ALL” that is GOOD that He has worked!”

                After receiving this encouraging, prophetic word, I referred to it many times during the difficult days of my TRUSTING journey.  It gave me HOPE! 

                This friend did not know that we were scheduled to be ordained.  Part of this prophesy concerning the NEW work God was going to do in and through me, was realized on April 26, 2011 when Gary and I were Ordained as ministers with the Assemblies of God.

                The rest of the prophesy was fulfilled on Friday night, April 20, 2012, when at our BeYOUtiful event, we sold out and had to continue to add more and more and more chairs. 

 

                I am rejoicing as I write this blog!  I am overtaken by His great mercy and grace! 

Grateful to serve with you!

Still TRUSTING,

Pastor Debbie

WOW! Has it really been that long?

Wow!!  Has it really been that long?  When I looked at the date that I last wrote on the blog, I honestly thought something was wrong with the website!   But, no...........I have simply not updated my blog since January 11.  Between blogging for the church website, writing articles for GLife, and continuous interaction on Facebook, I have simply not been very diligent in keeping my personal blog updated.    So, here goes............in January we were very busy with the C2C (Connect to the Cause) Campaign here at LFA!    The Cause is all about making a difference.  It is about relationships, authenticity, and connection. 

 It's about connecting people to God!  

It is the springboard for the Compassion Ministry that LFA is launching in 2012.

  The first part of February we were in Orlando, Florida for the National Institute of Christian Living with Dr. Mark Rutland, President of ORU.   The middle of February we were in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the Greater Things Conference.  Since we were already in Louisiana, Gary and I decided to go visit my brother, Rick and his wife Maxine for a few days.  We had such a great time!   As Gary put it, "we were there to eat Maxine's cooking and visit."  Gary enjoyed the red beans and rice and the gumbo that Maxine made!  Although I couldn't eat it with all the wonderful spices that Maxine uses,  I certainly did my share of visiting!  We had such a GREAT time in their home. I Love them SO MUCH!

 

In March, I enjoyed taking my Girlfriend's Task Force on a Retreat to Coyote Ranch, in Wichita Falls, Texas.  I enjoyed the fun, fellowship and ministry time shared with these awesome women!   They serve alongside me in the Girlfriends Ministry.  Each one of them are gifted in so many ways.  They bless my life personally and they bring so much to the table as we minister to the women of  LFA!    

We are looking forward to a great year with the GIRFLRIENDS of LFA!   

This past week we again attended the National Institute of Christian Leadership with Dr. Mark Rutland at ORU in Tulsa, Oklahoma.   We are so grateful to our Pastor and Church Board for giving us this opportunity.  I am so thankful that my health is improving and that we are able to continue our education through the NICL.   We are learning so much! 

I am in the middle of planning our next Girlfriend's event which is coming up on April 20! 

I can't help but reflect on where I was this time last year. 

I weighed 112 lbs, I was bald, I had pretty much lost my voice and 

I was struggling to make it through the day. 

This is what I blogged on this day 1 year ago:

"I continue to be blessed by so many of you through Text, Facebook messages, e-mails, cards, etc. Although I may not be able to talk with you, my heart melts with love and appreciation for the continued love and support that me and my family have received from all of you!"

Today, my heart is full and running over!  

• I have gained weight (thanks to all of the Oreo Blizzards and Mixes)
•  My hair has COME BACK (curly, and I love it:) 
• My voice is back (maybe not as strong as it use to be, but it's all good) 
•  I am able to work a full day (most of the time:)
• I am able to walk 1 mile (and sometimes 2) 

I TRULY HAVE SO MUCH TO BE GRATEFUL FOR!