Could it be that these trees, with their roots freely drawing water from the river, were better able to resist the heat of the flames?  Could it be that the more saturated we are in the Word and prayer, the more we will be able to withstand the trials, temptations and persecutions that not only “may” come, but instead, we are assured “will” come?  A friend once said that the only way we will be able to stand in the last days is when the pressure on the inside is greater than the pressure on the outside.  I want to be so filled with God that even in the most difficult circumstances, I will be a Kingdom carrier, bringing hope to others, instead of giving in to despair.

I want to be like the tree of Psalm 1, planted by the river, my roots reaching deep, deep down into the living water.  Especially here in this high mountain desert, where water is precious, and during the heat of summer, the rains are few and far between.  During a desert season, I am forced to stretch my roots deep below the surface, deeper still to find water, because in desert places and seasons, what appears on the surface isn’t always indicative of what is reality.  Indeed, far below the surface of the parched ground of our times and seasons, is a rushing river of water so full of life that just one drink causes a refreshing rush of joy.  And the beauty of it is that I am invited to continue to drink freely, as much and as often as I need.  This invitation is for all, all who have ears to hear the invitation of Heaven to “come and drink, all who are thirsty”…this River flowing from the throne of God, our eternal Source, the Word made flesh, the Light of the world.

Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing.”  John 15:4-5

We have a heavenly invitation from the Shepherd of our souls, to abide in Him, to drink of the water of life He offers.  Will you come?  He is closer than you know.  He knows your heart, and He is longing for fellowship with you.  Will you come?  The psalmist writes, “Be still and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10a.  Let’s allow Him to lead us beside still waters.  Only the Love of God will satisfy.  If my roots are in another stream, it will soon run dry and my leaves will wither and die, and when the fires of trials come, I will quickly burn out.  But with the never-failing, eternal Source of Life flowing from the throne of the Almighty Creator, the Author of Life, I will flourish and be fruitful.  The way to abide?  Prayer.  Worship.  Time spent in the Word, not just through study but in long, loving contemplation of the One Who is the Living Word, an ongoing conversation with God in the “secret place”.  Without time in the secret place, without the refreshing of His Presence, I cannot know how to truly love, and all of my efforts are as a clanging cymbal and a sounding gong…and without love, nothing I do, no matter how impressive of a ministry, will truly have impact for the Kingdom.

“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!  Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.  They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house.  And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.  For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.”  Psalm 36:7-9

My prayer for all of us: “…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19

Jesus, Your words are spirit and they are life.  When trials come, I want to be so saturated in the Word of God, in prayer, with the Love of God filling me up to overflowing.  Oh, to be rooted and grounded in the Love of God!

In His Love ~

Wendy

As I’ve prayed about what this all means, He has been stirring my heart with an idea…to take a team of worshipers and intercessors to different locations on Sunday evenings, to facilitate a time of prayer and worship that will bless and serve those who are hungry for an expression of worship that goes beyond what is possible most Sunday mornings due to time constraints.   It’s a time for some to “taste and see” the goodness of the Lord and to fan the flame of Love through prayer and worship.  It’s a time for pastors, worship leaders and teams, intercessors, anyone to refuel for ministry to the world around us by soaking in the presence of God.  My prayer is that as we gather and are ignited we will become torches that will spread Love throughout our individual church families and into the community.  And because it’s meant to be shared between congregations, it’s a unity builder.

By “unity”, I don’t mean we compromise our beliefs or sacrifice the uniqueness of who we are as individuals or in our expressions of faith.  I believe the only way we will achieve unity in the Body of Christ is when we have our eyes fixed solely upon Jesus, and worship is the key that will unlock the doors in the walls that have been built up over time.  We were all bought by the blood of Jesus and are called by His Name. When we gaze at Him, we begin to recognize Him in the eyes of those around us, and fault finding and judgmental attitudes dissolve in the light of His beauty.  When we gaze at Him, we are changed “…from glory to glory”.  Last year, I dreamed about “singing into the darkness” as the only way to overcome evil in the world.  I am convinced that the only way the Kingdom of God is advanced is when we are focused on glorifying Jesus through devotion to Him and loving/serving others.  When we do this, all other concerns are put in their proper perspective, and He is free to do what He alone can do…because our hands are out of the mix    I believe this is God’s heart, that His people would appreciate each other’s unique expressions of faith as a gift to one another, not a threat. And I think He will be pleased that His children are learning to love one another.

I’ve been dialoguing with area pastors about this idea, and as the Lord opens the doors in His timing, we will be meeting at 4 different locations, each church hosting it once a month.  For now, we are meeting on the 1^st, 2^nd and 4^th Sunday of each month at 6pm. at Crossroads (address above), and on the 3^rd Sunday of each month (beginning this Sunday, August 15^th at 7pm) at Wasatch Church, 4433 South 3100 West in Roy.  I’ll keep you posted, and will update the locations on my website calendar as things progress.

Currently, we are singing and praying through Psalm 84…How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty… it’s been very sweet so far.  We read, pray and sing a passage of scripture, setting it to music.  Come and check it out!  Imagine, 2 hours of the Word washing over your heart and mind and refreshing your spirit.  Please come and visit us some Sunday evening!  And if this sounds like something that might benefit your church family, please let me know.

Our August Schedule is as follows:

August 1:   6pm @ Crossroads Christian Fellowship (6545 Combe Rd, Uintah, UT)

August 8:   6pm @ Crossroads Christian Fellowship

August 15: 7pm @ Wasatch Church (4433 S 3100 W, Roy, UT)

August 22: 6pm @ Crossroads Christian Fellowship

August 29: 6pm @ Crossroads Christian Fellowship

If you’d like more information please contact me via email or @ 801-391-1254.

Blessings,

Wendy

In the beginning, the uncreated God of Genesis hovered over the waters.  His Spirit is still hovering over the waters of creation in us and all around us.  Hovering over the waters of our trouble, the waters of our tears, the waters of our souls, as we wait for Him to breathe His breath of new life into whatever chaos we find ourselves in.  As we wait for the sound of His voice, saying, “Let there be light,” we can be assured that He will speak, in due time.

Over the past few months, through various ways the Lord has prompted me to not be in a hurry to move out of this transitional season by rushing ahead, but to just “be” with Him “in” the chaos and let Him breathe life into me, allowing His Spirit to blow me wherever He wills.  This can be more challenging than it sounds.  I don’t want to miss the gifts He has for me in times of waiting, in times of uncertainty.  Whenever I am in a season of waiting, He reminds me that this is where He teaches me to lean upon Him, not my own understanding.  My own understanding can deceive me into thinking I am making progress, but in reality I might be rushing down the wrong path, only to have to turn around and backtrack to the point where I first headed in the wrong direction.  Better to wait and let the Holy Spirit breathe His life giving wisdom.  He has never let me down, and I am finding this to be so true right now, in this season of my life.

Time and time again since March, I have been amazed as God has confirmed in many ways that I am exactly in the place He wants me.  That He would do this for me means so much, as I have at times felt I was stumbling around in the dark…and yet somehow He has caused me to “stumble” onto the path He had for me all along.  A growing sense of gratitude and Shalom peace has now overtaken me and I am stunned at the wisdom and mercy of my Abba!  As I seek His face, things have come into clearer focus for me, and new open doors and opportunities are becoming visible through the thin mist of what was once a dark swirly fog.  I am taking small steps forward, trusting He will lead and provide and equip as I move with His Spirit.  I will share more about these steps at a later time, but for now, let me say that He is good and His plans for us are better than anything we can imagine or try to make happen in the flesh.  What He has done for me, and others, He will do for you.  Trust Him and He will amaze you with His goodness!

As you allow the Holy Spirit to breathe on you and take you deeper still into His glorious love, be assured that He is faithful.  He is the One who can bring beauty out of the ashes no matter what you are going through.

In His Love,

Wendy