So Friday night I rented and watched Schindler’s list and also the included documentary of the survivors stories that are highlighted in the movie. And then last night Eric and I watched a movie called The Couple which was pretty much a dive, about a Jewish couple in Nazi Germany around the end of the war. What I found interesting is that while I was totally moved by Schindler’s list especially the end when he realizes he could have saved more people had he not kept his car, or his jewelry, my friend from Poland told me that that scene was mostly Hollywood. He would not have responded with emotion like that.

So I thought. Even if he didn’t respond emotionally like that in real life, it was something my American psyche was needing after 3 straight hours carnage. I choose weepy Schindler.

As far as this week goes, it’s the final week of the fourth module. So Monday through Thursday I’ll be in Eternal Glory of an Intercessor, 1-4pm and Daniel, 7-10pm. It’s done me good to not only pass the remaining few weeks of this pregnancy but also get me into new dialoges with the Father and open my heart to areas that I didn’t realize were operating, good and bad. The longer I say yes to Him, the more I’m convinced that He is way more committed to my wholeness than I am. For that I am way more than grateful. But it also has awakened in me a stirring to actually be more set and steady towards Him and His name. My discernment of my own soul is being heightened.

I have yet another doctor’s appointment tomorrow, so we’ll see what nother week has accomplished. Hopefully not a pound or two. I’m wanting to be on the downward slide of this mountain now. Also, with all this fresh consecration in the air and fasts coming up for the house I’ve been desiring more to do a few cleanses. We had a great time last night talking with a couple of friends of ours about cleansing. While we chatted in way more detail, I’ll spare them.

The next few weeks should “yield” some interesting results. I can’t wait!

What time is it?

I’ve left class two nights in a row just totally messed up. It’s been such an intense time of really getting a grip on the reality of being a ready Bride, being prepared for what’s coming and preparing others; namely my children, nieces and nephews. I get glimpses now and then of the stark realness of it all and last night as I lay in my bed I wrestled.

I wrestled with the Lord.

I wrestled with the torture and/or martyrdom of my children.

I wrestled with what that would look like.

Can I accept that?

Is my love as strong as death?

What does the complete shattering of the people of God look like under the hand of the most wicked man in history, allowed by the very same God that I love and serve?

Completely shattered…

The two-fold offense of persecution and deception at the end of the age (and that is already infiltrating our NA western society)- Who will endure?

I’ve become more convinced this last week than ever befor that it is time to dig deep, and lay hold and actually gain something that will sustain me and my generation. It’s time to shut it down (like Corey says) and get something real. It is not a time to build bigger barns! Dear God, help us to get real. Your hand is on the door.

This all just became even more real with the torture and death of three missionaries in Turkey. Three of our brothers, connected with friends of ours here at IHOP. Tricked into having a “meeting” then bound to chairs and starting with the first each had their fingers cut off, their bellies ripped open, intestines pulled out and cut into many pieces. Then stood up and their anus cut out. Each man had his throat slit and they were stabbed over 150 times. Another man finally broke in to find the suspects running out and a river of blood. They were cought but because they are under 20 years old, they will not be tried as extreme terrorists. Dear GOD in heaven, what time is it?

I realize that this is all pretty graphic, but ya know what, life’s gonna get pretty graphic. Jesus was unrecognizable. I pray that we as a people are prepared for that day. Not our hearts failing us for fear of them who can destroy our body. No, with a fervent heart of love as strong as death that can stand in the face of all this and still say, Jesus, Your leadership is perfect, and still love and proclaim His name.

Let Him be your fear; And let Him be your dread

I love that verse. Isaiah 8:12-13 says, “Do not say, “A conspiracy!, Concerning all that this people call a conspiracy. Nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. The Lord of Hosts, (that literally means the Captain of the armies of heaven…WOW) Him shall you hallow; Let Him be your fear; and let Him be your dread.

We took most of the class tiem last night talking about trembling. Allen was sick and so the teacher’s assistants, Dale Anderson and Nate Rogers taught the two sessions. They both did an excellent job, however i guess I’m a little partial to Dale.

I’ll give you a few great notes that touched me.

At the core of religious belief and practice is the mysterious, supernaturally threatening presence. In the soul of humanity is the incredible mark that something out there is so awesome, so powerful, so beautiful that it is terrifying to think on and hazerdous to behold. Deep within the framework of humanity is a dread, a terrifying sense that something out there is worthy of our worship and can either help us or hurt us in our frail condition.

According to the Bible, things tremble when God draws near. The mountains, seas, the throne of God, the stars of heaven, the nations, His people, the enemies of God, demons, God’s people in the hour of judgement. I encourage you to do a word study on trembling. There are many many. This verse stuck out to me.

Tremble, you women who are at ease. Be troubled you complacent ones. Strip yourselves, make yourselves bare, and gird sackcloth and ashes around your waist. Isaiah 32:11

Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mnountain. Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord is coming, for it is at hand! Joel 2:1

Fear is a form of worship. It is a form of bowing the heart in submission. Fear is the recognition of the greatness of something else. You tremble at something that is greater.

We do not have to fear in that day because Jesus told us that when we see these things happening to “look up for our redemption draws near.” Rather let the fear the Lord and let it escort us into sober living, watchful prayer and holiness.

The key to overcoming fear is to understand that the kingdom of darkness is temporary and passing away and to become fascinated witht he Beautiful God who is coming for you!

God, Let my heart shift and adjust when I hear your name-that I’m full of gratitude not only because of where I could have been but just because of who You are.

A Special Edition of "Who AM I"

And if you can play the authentic theme song, you’ll get a prize better than Chick-fil-A for a year!

A little yum yum

Tonight Eric treated me to dinner out with our Australian friends. He even suggested that we go to the Jerusalem Cafe, which I have been wanting to visit ever since we moved here over a year ago. I thought that it was an authentic Jewish restaurant but upon entering and noticing all of the pictures of the Dome of the Rock, I was pleasantly surprised. The restaurant is just a tiny little place with genuine brick walls on the inside and the smells of musty spices in the air. I felt that we had actually entered a cafe in the middle east. I decided on Baba ghanoush , which was excellent by the way. It was served with a basket of soft pita slices. I also ordered a grilled chicken, onion and veges served with curry rice on a bed of pitas which came with a salad. After about 3 bites I was stuffed (with baba ghanoush actually) and got a box. It was good though. After chatting awhile I worked myself up for a Turkish coffee and a slice of baklava. Wow! It was just a great meal, great conversation and great dessert. The coffee was a tad bitter for my taste but I felt like flying when we left. It has the spice cardamom in it which I looked up when we got home. I was wondering why I felt so good and not jittery when we left. Wikipedia says that cardamom was traditionally used to treat congestion of the lungs and pulmonary tuberculosis. Huh. I have been stuffed for like 2 weeks now because, I’m assuming, of all the pollen in the air. I had a peaceful, easy feeling.

I’m thinking the cafe will be the place to take the newbies that come visit. Whatdaya think, javamamma? Hummus on Sunday? A little Turkish coffee before a great set in the prayer room? Oh yeah, I’m thinking Turkish coffee on the way to the hospital before labor. What the heck.

Collecting the thoughts

Tonight completes the first of the three week class of Daniel I am taking. It has been an excellent experience as we’ve had several wonderful times of prayer during the week. The class is meaty and I am digesting much of the first 3 chapters that we discussed this week still. I am so thankful that we have instructors here that not only expound the story line and what we could already read in a commentary for ourselves but relate the principle and NOW word from the chapters. Not just the Sunday school stories but the application to my life and how I’m to carry my heart in the days to come. I am so thankful for teachers with a spirit of wisdom and revelation, who deliver out of the place of prayer. How fortunate I am.

Here are a few nuggets:

Daniel gives us glimpses of the cosmic drama and the battle over the hearts of humanity from a heavenly viewpoint and how prayer governs world affairs. “In prayer you align yourselves to the purpose and power of God and He is able to do things through you that He couldn’t do other wise. For this is an open universe, where some things are left open, contingent upon our doing them. If we do not do them, they will never be done. For God has left certain things open to prayer, things which will never be done except we pray.”

“These transitions/generations come suddenly and necessitate the people of God respond rightly to the Word of the Lord in the historic moment. Principles will not do in that hour. The people of God must hear His voice and respond accordingly. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. The Revelation 3 exhortations were not the same to each church. We can not simply take truth and blanketly apply it. What would have happened to the people had they listened to Isaiah’s words about staying in the temple because God protects His people in the time of the exile? Jeremiah’s words were completely opposite. He told the people NOT to think that just because they had the temple they would be safe, but to get out of the city.”

Daniel begins in transition and he ascribes the cause of the transition to the sovereignty of God

Daniel illustrates 3 key positions about his life.
1-A response to the Word of the Lord-a positioned heart before God
2-A focused life
3-A history of prayer

The battle ground Daniel chose in chapter 1 was food. Why? Food was the key issue and will be in the end of the age. Overeating and self-indulgence will leave many in a spiritual state of dullness and leanness. This over-fed in the spirit of this age and under-nourished in the Word disposition will leave many unprepared for the trial that is coming upon the whole earth.
See: Deut 32:15-18; Psalm 106:13-15; Ps 78:17-18; Luke 21:34-36; 1 Cor 10:5-11; Eph 2:2-3;

The key principle for receiving mysteries in the house of crisis: Go gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. This principle is the divine divider at the end of the age. Daniel’s history of pursuing wisdom of the Lord and his cultivation of a life in God pays off in the hour of crisis where the voice of God must be heard. It is folly to imagine that in the hour of crisis one can then get ready.

Just a little food for thought. Night, Night.

Moment of Silence

Let us pause for a moment of silence…….as my belly reaches the 40 inch mark.

Here it is Monday morning! What a beautiful day as we had snowfall on Friday evening. That would be kind of a bummer had we not been told in February that this would happen. A precious lady that we know had a dream in which the Lord told her NOT to get out her spring and summer clothes. She then heard Him say that we would have snow, even into April and that with every snowflake that falls He would be saying, “Righteousness, righteousness, purity, purity!” That we as a body and as a bride need to be getting ourselves ready. That we would live righteous, pure lives before Him.

And how then shall we live? How can we live like that? In response to the dream, He then told her, “Day by day, step by step, choice by choice, yes by yes.”

I can’t foresee a way for me to personally holy and righteous for the whole year let alone the whole month or week for that matter. But I can make sure that my next choice is godly, my next response to Him is YES! and my next step is in a path of righteousness. Our God gently leads us. He is SO good. He condescends to my lowly state and gets me going in a right path.

36 weeks

Just a little update…last pic till baby comes. Also, I was richly surprised and blessed today to get my hair touched up and cut. The gal that does it is a little scattered at times but can pull out a sweet color! Bust it, Hannah!

I’ve decided that I need to be in intercession for the trees in my yard. Ever since Al Gore decided to dupe the entire world into thinking we were all going to be scorched of the planet in the next month or so we’ve had nothing but snow, freezing rain and opposite seasons. How’s that for shking up your get rich quick movie, Mr. Gore? Anyhow, looking out my windows instead of seeing beautiful japanese maple and magnolia leaves, I am seeing sticks with soggy lettuce hanging from them. If I weren’t so partial to the sunlight i’d shut the curtains.

It excites me to think that my God would switch up some stuff just to shake things up a bit. Like the ultrasound earlier this week and the canceling of the Global Warming convention 3 times because of snow in Washington DC, he truly is God over times and seasons. It reminds me of Nebucchadnezzar’s confession after being stuck wild like a beast for seven years.

“But at the end of the appointed time I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up toward heaven, and my sanity returned to me.I extolled the Most High,
and I praised and glorified the one who lives forever.

For his authority is an everlasting authority,
and his kingdom extends from one generation to the next.
All the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nothing.
He does as he wishes with the army of heaven
and with those who inhabit the earth.
No one slaps his hand
and says to him, ‘What have you done?’”

Daniel 4:34-35

Speaking of Daniel, last night was our last E12 for this internship because Dale is going to be teaching along side Allen Hood in the next Module. They are teaching a class on Daniel and I’m going to sign up to take it. It starts next Monday and is M-Th for the next 3 weeks. It should make the time fly that’s left before the baby comes. Yippee!