On Being a Warrior

"Being a warrior is not about the act of fighting.  It's about being so prepared to face a challenge and believing so strongly in the cause you are fighting for that you refuse to quit."                                                               Richard "Mack" Machowicz

He turned himself in this morning.  He would serve time for the next fifteen months about five hours away from home.

About a year ago our dear friend began a journey toward Life, running upstream from a life of crime, pain and a childhood of abuse. Jesus freed him of his sin, but the residual lies from living on the streets from thirteen had taught him to do things that now, as a child of God, Daddy wasn't going to tolerate and consequences meant he had to grow up and become a real warrior, fighting a battle that he could win.

Even as law enforcement pulled the truck over that fateful day, he knew in his heart, he'd made a very wrong decision, all just to make quick money for his family. Transporting illegals is a serious crime and the penalty would be extremely costly.    Sentencing came in August of this year when he was ordered to serve, despite the changes God had wrought in his life. 

Initially, we were all shocked, for our life group, "Living the Life", had been praying faithfully for our friend's deliverance from the consequences of his actions.  We've watched him grow more and more in love with Jesus, share his faith daily with strangers, minister to others in need of car re-pairs, help whomever, whenever without being paid and allow the Spirit of God in him to radically change this man of anger to a man of peace and confidence in the God he now served. 

Why, God?  He's leaving four little ones and a wife that adores him?  Why didn't You do something that day?  Why did he have an attorney that could have cared less abou him and didn't really fight for him?  Maybe we could have prayed harder, longer, or done SOMETHING!

These questions whirled around in everyone's head and yet there was a peace.  Moreover, here is where one truly knows if what they believe is based on truth or not. The waves were pounding on his foundation and they will continue for a long time, but he's standing tall.
He didn't give up, run away, or fight back.  He surrendered to the God that loved Him and he grew more.  He continued sharing Jesus, loving his wife and children and serving the body of Christ.  He came over here and fixed my car several times, took off my transmission and made arrangements to have it rebuilt, fixed my dad's car numerous times and bought my Love a beautiful birthday cake for his fiftieth~!

I've never met someone like Mino.  A warrior of such valor, humbly accepting the challenge set before him.  This 'sentence' is just that.  A statement that his life is not his own.  He was bought with blood, pure blood that now runs through his veins.  He cannot help but allow that power to flow through him as he uses this time to bring others to Jesus.

The time he is spending in prison is as a free man in Jesus.  Bars on his cell are only reminders that he was once a slave to sin, but now he is an ambassador for the King of Kings to men who truly are in an eternal prison, separated from the God who is passionately pursuing them through the life of my friend.

I would ask that if you've read this far that you will join with me and others who love Mino and pray for him as he fights on the front lines as a warrior in the kingdom of Light. 

I would also ask that you pray for his wife and their four children:  Pray that God would infuse her with His strength, joy and peace to see His vision for her as his wife and the mother of their children. 

He is faithful, of this I am sure.

If you want to send him a note of encouragement or a book that would help him, just drop me a note and I'll email you his address.  He would really appreciate that!

'Father, in Jesus' name, I thank you for my friend, Mino.  Bless his sleep tonite and surround him with your favor as a shield.  Flood his heart with Your peace and remind him that his weapons are mighty through You as he seeks to know you more tomorrow.'  In Jesus' name, amen.

Is anything too hard for God?

That would be an emphatic NO! 

Yet, last Monday, when my world began to spiral out of control, fear washing over me as boiling water, believing I would melt right where I stood, a decision HAD to be made:  do I believe and stand or quit and run away?

It went way beyond my brain's ability to grasp how deep, how personal, and how applicable God's power and grace would be that moment when I turned heavenward and said, "God, I can't do this again."

 I turned my heart to listen--(called a friend who would hear Him for me because at that moment I couldn't hear anything), she prayed for me and believed for me for freedom and deliverance.  She prayed so many things, I really don't remember all of it.  But it was Life and truth and I knew deep in my soul that I wanted God to be God in the situation.  (I could go off on a tangent now about how important friends are who love God and who tell you the truth, but that'll be for another post!)

TRUTH.

 It's what sets one free.

And because Jesus is the truth,  I am certain that Every time I reach towards Him, I have strength to die to myself so that His life will flow out in order to:

 

...forgive seventy times seven times.

 ...love unconditionally.

...live fully alive.

It is truly amazing what God can do.



I've been quiet this past month and much has transpired in that silence.  Though outwardly, things don't look much different, I know that inside I'm conforming to His image and He's fashioning me for His purposes. 

Now that's exciting.

The above photo reminds me of a Scripture:   " And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]." Ps. 1:3 Amp. version

*Photos taken at Alto Frio Baptist Camp October, 2010*

Do you Fly?

Since the beginning of this new year, I've been kicking around the pebble of good health, the cost of picking it up and putting it in my pocket. 

Sometimes, just kicking the stone seems like enough exercise!

Our son, Josh, is staying with us while he figures out what his future holds.  He is in great health...he runs, lifts weights and generally eats good and buys these green drinks that have the name 'Naked' written on them. 

So, lately he's been asking me if I want to run with him, to which I laugh and say I'll walk and he can run...we've gone out once, tho he's asked often like last nite when mom came home from the hospital and I had to redo all her meds according to the hospital's discharge papers.

 I laughed because it was a joke to think I could just pick up and go...although it would have been a great stress reliever!

But today, as I've been reminding myself...

He loves me, I'm His, my body is His...

 so walking for my health is no big deal...plus the temp was in the 60's and school went great and we were finished before 2:00.  So out we ventured.

It was delightful to listen to the boy's conversations about so many different things...like Isaac asking, at first, "Mom, why do people let their dogs wander?"  And when I didn't respond, "Mom, why do dogs let their owners wander?" All just to see if I was listening to him.  We just cracked up and discussed that dogs don't have the control they should over their owners! 

Then he says, "I can't walk with you anymore because I"m going to lose too much weight and these pants are gonna fall down!"  They actually did slip down below his undies as he was running in front of me and I had to stop running from laughing so hard! 

Such a dry sense of humor.

Anyway, we walked for forty minutes and although I felt my muscles twitching, I felt exhilarated and wanted more.

I grabbed my MP3 player and headed out to the trampoline...

ALL BY MYSELF! 

For another twenty minutes, I flew-straight into His arms and we danced and jumped together.

While flying, I had a few revelations:  

(don't ya just love it when you're feet aren't on the ground how you can hear better?)

I'd been listening to lies... 

'If you get up on that trampoline, you might hurt yourself or get too tired or any number of things could go wrong.'  

Ha! 

Every time I jumped a little higher, I had to laugh at myself at how ridiculous I must have looked, but yet how freeing it was to be doing it.

(Sidenote:  As I sat here writing, my dad came up with chocolate covered cherries and offered me one...when I said 'no thanks', he continued with why I could/should have one...'You've jumped, right, and all the sugar is gone!'  I stuck up my hand and said, "GET BEHIND ME, SATAN!"  He said that wasn't nice...to which I reminded him that Satan knows my weaknesses and those are one of them!)

Another revelation was that He was laughing with me.

 Jesus was with me on that springy circle and He was for me having fun and we were having fun together...

Life has been very challenging since mom came back home.  She is still in a lot of pain, her meds are different, I have to cook a meal for her (and she's become very picky, too!) each time (no sandwiches or letting her rough it on her own) and she requires being watched in order to be sure she eats (her appetite has dwindled tremendously), just like one would care for a baby.

My time is not my own, even more so now, and her health  is literally dependent on me (staying alive) by being aware of her needs ahead of time and meeting them.

I am not complaining because I see this as a season and I have thrown myself into it in order to celebrate her and the time we're together.  But...as a result of these changes, I have felt guilty to do anything for myself or have any 'fun'...another lie I believed...ugh!

Then I saw how exhilarating and fun life can be when I let go of the boulders that I'd been dragging around, stooped down and picked up that little pebble of health and dropped it in my pocket.

Flying isn't really that difficult; it just requires one to jump and grab hold of His arms-whether or not one is on a trampoline! 

Do you fly?

"But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

                                                                                                                          Isaiah 40:31

Free to be~

From Visit with gramma

I love this Life!

Wow, so much has gone on in one week.

First off, my love had been involved in a film project with a wonderful man of God named Tom Allen, who works with Campus Crusade. Friday night was the unveiling of the film and our very own Joshua-David did the drawing of "Destino Man" , a comic book character that comes to life and fights against 'Mexican't' for a Latino guy trying to decide to go to college. It was a cute movie and at the end when the credits ran, there on the screen was my name alongside my love's...I thought, 'what did I do?' Oh, yes, Jef brought home some cloth to make a mask and I showed him how to do it! I've never seen my name scroll down on a film credit before!!! That was a fun evening.
Sat. morning, I went to a sewing store that was closing and found some amazing deals...too many to mention, but the best was getting twin needles for $1 a piece!~
I've been sewing my heart out now that 'school' is over...(they'll probably learn more now that we've put away the schedule and they can just be free to learn!)
That afternoon, Josh, Dan, and Eric came over for cake to celebrate Dan's birthday that was last Thurs. That was enjoyable and I love them guys!!!


Then, Sat. nite, we went to the church we've been attending and were *affirmed as members along with over 100some more people! They had put up a huge screen and we drank root beer floats and watched, "The Alamo"!

Halfway through, I was ready for bed and the boys didn't care for the 'black and white' screening, so we headed home. That was such a treat.

Sunday was a glorious day.
Since our pastor has been on sabbatical, he's made sure that we've gotten fed well and this past Sunday we heard a video presentation by John Ortberg entitled, "Shadow Mission". Based on the story of Esther, it was extemely eye-opening and there were moments that spoke very loudly about leadership.
After the service, Love encouraged me and together we went to a leader and asked if we could pray because I knew in my spirit that I just needed to pray. I know now that it was a deep healing of my soul and another moment of letting go of the past and moving forward.
How precious the Spirit of God in us is to walk us down paths that are painful, yet the narrowness is an ever real knowing that we've found His life in us and He won't share us. He wants all of our hearts and so when those moments come that I am drawn to remember painful past memories, it's His way of leading me to His heart for me-complete devotion to Him, not matter how difficult it is to 'go there'!
The funny thing is that that morning while I was reading the Word and talking to Jesus, I specifically asked Him to make Himself real to me because I was 'feeling' lost.
When we finished praying, I recognized the 'shadow mission' has been thoughts that lie to me about how I see myself. I acknowledged it to God, myself, the enemy and repented for looking to myself and forgetting that Jesus in me is the hope of glory. If I have any talents, gifts, desires, abilities, dreams, and passions, He put them there, He'll bring them to pass and I am hidden in Him.
I am secure in Jesus. Nothing can snatch me out of His hand.
When I have forgotten the truths about whose I am, that's when the enemy has come to rob me of my peace, relationships, then fear makes itself comfortable in bed next to me and I lose sight of His love and His grace to pick up the weapon, His Word, and fight the enemy by the power of the God of Heaven's Armies. But God, HE hears my prayers, the times I literally cry out to Him for revelation, strength, love, grace and as I asked on Sunday morning, 'You said you reward those who diligently seek You'; that's what I did and once again, I'm content in Daddy's lap!

To cap off that marvelous day, we headed to a beautiful home for lunch with a family we'd never met. Jef works with a girl and her husband's sister and brother-in-law invited us to come to their new home in Boerne. (Check out this site!) Wow, what an amazing home!!! They've only been in it for three weeks and so there is much to do, but I was in awe of all the built-in book shelves, the round room, the 'Castle' that was a water cistern:
There was a built in pool that needed to be cleaned, but the frogs I'm sure don't want it cleaned out!





The girl Jef works with has quad step children, age 10!

So, there were six ten yr. olds and a three yr. old, as well! They were so adorable!

Here's the Guadaloupe with its ginormous trees. Oh to live on this river!


I took pix and cooled my feet, but the rest of the gang had a blast in the most refreshing river around!


We capped off the evening at Subway and then home to watch 'Ever After'.
That movie so reminded me of that morning and how my Father has given me His name, His royalty and that I have to renew my mind to that truth everyday in order to receive all that He's promised!
I will fight the fight of faith. It's a fight that's already been won!~

P.S.-To top off the victory that this week has brought, I cannot forget to mention that my mom, who's been battling for her health, told me on the 28th that she beat the devil. This comes from someone who has no clue about spiritual warfare, but decided to live and not die. She was really battling anxiety attacks due to the fear of dying, not finishing off her life the way she believes, and the lies the enemy was telling her...but she whooped him by the word of her testimony and belief in a God that loves her! I am in awe of the power of God to hear and answer before we call! Glory to God and Praise and honor to Jesus! You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

*affirmed*-There were two classes to take to belong to this fellowship, but I wasn't in town for the second class, so now I have to finish in July, when Jef will greet me as a new member! ;o)

Spring Rain and Beauty~!

The droplets speak a language all their own...it's the language of a 'nearer than your breath' Father calling everything that lives to Sing His Praises...so the rose sings and opens fully to His call.

It's fragrant and attractive...do you smell it? Can you feel it? He rescued us, He set us free, He breathes His life in us and then He waters us to grow into a complete rose, full of beauty and vibrant...

so attractive!

Joy Catchers...

The sun peeking in between the blinds this morning, calling me to run free and the voice of Daddy telling me some time during the night that I've allowed the enemy to stop me from experiencing His joy by wallowing in self-pity...(why have I allowed that to go on for so long?).
Yesterday, I finished reading, "The Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis to the boys and there's a chapter that speaks of a beautiful woman that has a husband that's walking around with a 'doll' on a chain that he won't let go of (the man is as small as an organ-grinder monkey, the "Trajedian" a tall man)...self-pity...it speaks for the husband and in the end, the husband shrinks and becomes so small he can't be seen anymore.
The chapter slapped me, scolded me and rebuked me for allowing that ugly 'thing' to rob me of joy Jesus went to the cross to give me...
My heart's cries have been to be passionately in love with Jesus and so I came into the Light and renounced this attack and have been meditating on being in the kingdom and experiencing every moment of every day reveling in His love, absorbing His peace and transformed by the strength of His joy.
He did it. Says that 'for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame and has set down at the right hand of God'. Also says that the God of Hope will fill me with all joy and peace in believing that I may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit...the precious Holy Spirit living in me. He does it, He is honored when I walk in love, the light and express His power in my heart and life.
I woke up thinking that there is something I can give to others...to make a 'joy catcher'. A something or other that anyone can grab hold of and keep their joy; it's our strength and we all need it, right? Any ideas of what that 'thing', i.e.-bag, etc, might look like? Share them, please...
Don't you just love how Daddy draws us to Himself and then fills us with Himself.
...the rocker is calling me.
But I'll have to sit in mine, not my sister's in Florida!