God is near to the humble,
to those who know their desperate need for Him,
to those who know that without Him they can do nothing.
As I told the women in prison last week:
“Every time I come here,
I feel the breath of God on the back of my neck,
for He certainly shows up for you, and so I get to be a part of that.
The most alive church I know is in the faith dorms of prison!”
My son J. R. came with me to do the filming for He Calls You Beautiful.
On Sunday he went to death row, and came out shaken at the presence of God.
He said, “Mom — they were in small cells, but I was overwhelmed by their joy!”
When one woman looked up at him he was stunned by her radiance.
They spent two hours praying with the women, and as they were leaving, the correctional officer pleaded for prayer as well, sensing a movement of God.
In the faith dorms, where believers are being discipled, again,
J. R. saw so much joy.
When he commiserated that it must be hard to be in prison for Christmas,
they told him it helped them celebrate a real Christmas.
He said:
“I’m a little jealous of them.”
They have lost so much,
and yet they have more than those on the outside often do.
For the next two weeks,
we are going to help each other practice thanksgiving.
Just as worshipping the wrong things takes us into the wilderness,
worshipping the One True God gets us out.
Though our circumstances may not change,
our joy will!
Here I am with four ex-offenders who have been set truly free.
These women graduated from Discipleship Unlimited’s intense 18 month discipleship program in prison. They have been out of prison for several years, staying clean, and living for Him. The recidivism (rate of return) to prison in America is very high, often more than 70%, but because of Christ-centered ministries like Discipleship Unlimited, the recidivisim rate in Texas has gone all the way down to 21%, and of the women who go through Discipleship Unlimited’s after care program, it is 2%.
It is Jesus who makes the difference.
Here I am with just Lisa, whose story I will tell this week.
Sunday
1.What stands out to you from the above and why?
Monday
As is so true of so many, Lisa grew up with terrible abuse and then married an abusive man. Trying to get thin to please him, trying to ease her pain of abuse, she became chemically dependent on meds and that led to her giving into the temptation of stealing some. Her sons were little when she was incarcerated, and her husband divorced her, married another, and moved the children across the country. Prison is hard — she was in what they call the “dog pen” sharing a cell with seven others, with no privacy and tedious daily work.
Lisa’s mind went back to people who loved her. A grandmother who had cared for her and taken her to Sunday School — and the teachers in that school: Mary and Charlie, who showed her real love. While in prison, she was given a copy of the book Linda Strom wrote about Karla Faye Tucker, the inmate who was given the death sentence, but whose vision inspired Discipleship Unlimited.
As Lisa was reading, she was astonished to find that the Mary and Charlie who had so impacted her as a little girl had been a key part of Karla’s life and of Discipleship Unlimited. So Lisa decided she needed to apply for Discipleship Unlimited’s faith dorm, where, if accepted, she would be moved to a part of prison where after work she would be discipled by volunteers from the ministry.
Lisa was transformed by the Lord. She wrote her two sons every week, but she never heard back. When she got out of prison, she began to volunteer with Discipleship Unlimited.
Last week Lisa drove me to prison and told me how much this picture in the Song of Songs meant to her.
St John of the Cross said of this:
It is noteworthy that in the Song of Songs the bride compares the Bridegroom to the stag…She makes this comparison… because of the swiftness with which he shows and then hides himself. He usually visits devout souls in order to gladden and liven them, and then leaves in order to try, humble, and teach them.
When Lisa never heard back from her sons, God was that deer who was hiding. When Lisa got out of prison, she couldn’t afford to make the trip to see her sons. But she remarried (a believer) and just last month they were able to make the long trip to visit her sons. Lisa was afraid.
But her sons, now in their teens, welcomed her with open arms. Her youngest son showed her his bedroom and pulled out a folder with all her letters and pictures. She melted to realize he received them and cherished them. Her husband’s new wife has also welcomed Lisa, and they have become good friends. Now God is that deer who leaps out to encourage and give joy. Lisa persisted when God was silent, trusting Him and not backing away. She passed the wilderness test.
Lisa and I shared the podium at an event to help people learn about Discipleship Unlimited. We were all moved to tears as she talked about being re-united with her sons, attending a son’s game, taking him to school — “the way a real mom does!” Weeping she said, “They were eager to introduce me to their friends. They were proud of me!”
2. Read Song of Songs 2:1-3. How does the bride describe her bridegroom here?
3. Right now, where is God being like a deer who hides in your life?
4. What the enemy wants is to convince you of is that God doesn’t love you. Satan’s goal is to get you to retreat from God. To defeat the enemy’s lies, write down at least five things you know to be true of God that will help you trust Him while He is silent and seemingly absent.
Tuesday: Then Our Mouths Were Filled with Laughter
This psalm was written during a time of sorrow, of weeping, when God was hiding. But the way the psalmist keeps himself from backing up is by remembering a time when God leapt out and astounded him.
5. Read Psalm 126
A. We don’t know what event the psalmist is remembering in the opening verses, but we know how he felt then. Describe it.
B. What promise do you see for those who trust God in a time of weeping, a time of seeming silence?
6. Record a time when God leapt out for you in the past, filling your mouth with laughter.
Wednesday:
Lisa is now studying to be a counselor for those who have become chemically dependent. God is truly turning her ashes into beauty, her mourning into dancing. Psalm 30 again shows a time when God seems silent, but the psalmist remembers a time when God turned his mourning into dancing.
7. Read Psalm 30:6-12
A. How is the psalmist lamenting and crying out in verses 6-10?
B. What is he remembering in verse 11?
8. Remember a time when God turned your mourning into dancing and share it here.
I am often struck by how often God uses a grandmother in a child’s life, as he did with Timothy’s grandmother in Scripture, as He did with Linda Strom’s grandmother. (Linda’s parents were truly incapable of parenting, but Linda’s grandmother often took care of her and told her that God had shown her one day she would be used mightily of Him, and be a missionary to Africa. Linda has ministered to the women in prison in Africa.)
And I think of our own “Laura-dancer” who is raising her grandchildren. She posted this picture from her dropbox last week, entitled: Ashes into Beauty.
9. Did you have a grandmother who impacted you spiritually? Give thanks! Or are you one who is endeavoring to impact your grandchildren with the love and truth of Christ? Give thanks for the opportunity!
Thursday: Trusting Him in the Wilderness
Repeatedly the women in prison told me the word pictures in the Song were helping them trust Jesus in the wilderness and not back away from Him. What I saw, and what my son saw, is that truly they were the fragrance of Christ.
10. God allows us, or even leads us into the wilderness for a purpose. See if you can find it in Hosea 2:15-17.
11. How do we know that the wilderness achieved its purpose in the Shulammite’s life according to Song of Songs 8:5?
12. Share a time when God spoke tenderly to you in the wilderness.
Friday: Planning Ahead
Next Thursday is Thanksgiving. Is there any way you could be His fragrance to those around you that day? Be still and ask for His wisdom.
13. This is my favorite Keller sermon, so I know I’ve posted it before, but am blessed each time I listen to it. Listen and share your notes and comments:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxOWWWVDGD0
Saturday:
14. What is your take-a-way and why?
127 comments
Sunday
1.What stands out to you from the above and why?
The faces of the women as they were singing praises to God. The 4 ladies and the story of Lisa (I read ahead). J.R.’s words- “…overwhelmed by their joy and one woman’s radiant face.” Your awesome ministry among the women, Dee.
True freedom and joy are definitely not found in a place but in a Person, Jesus Christ.
Love this! True freedom and joy are not found in a place but in a Person, Jesus Christ.
1.What stands out to you from the above and why?
That JR envied the women, I want that kind of radiance that draws others to Christ. I want to worship my way out of where I am now.
The recidivism rate also stood out to me, I am so grateful that these women find Jesus, and cleave to him, in their most difficult circumstances.
Thanks Dee for feeding these sister sheep, they must love you as we do.
Let’s worship our way out together, Chris!
“It is not happy people who are thankful, but thankful people who are HAPPY”! Good reminder & so true 🙂
Thanks Dee, for sharing the pictures of those dear ladies in prison & how touched JR was by their joy. Praise God for His amazing work of love in their lives! What a blessing for you dear Dee & an encouragement to keep going! It certainly puts our lives into perspective. I’m feeling dry & need to soak in some fellowship at church this morning, & worship our Lord.
Jenny — isn’t that a good truth about thankful people being happy? That has spurred me on to keep thanking Him throughout the day!
What stood out to me was the radiance of the prison women and especially J.R.’s reaction. He said, ““Mom — they were in cages, but I was overwhelmed by their joy!”
He “commiserated that it must be hard to be in prison for Christmas, they told him it helped them celebrate a real Christmas. He said: “I’m a little jealous of them.”
They are freer than most of us who are believers but still are blinded by the cages of the world, the flesh and the devil. Open our eyes, Lord.
Amen Diane…yes open our eyes dear Lord!
Oh Diane I so agree. I actually wrote my response before I read yours.
Yes “Open our eyes Lord”
I agree with what the others have mentioned, the radiance of those women in prison. It seems like the light always shines the brightest in the deepest darkness. My older brother is the executive director of public relations for the southern baptist and he is just leaving Sutherland Springs, Tx as I type this. I just hung up with him and OH the testimony of those Believers in the face of such darkness, HE is being lifted up. Mike was nearly speechless at how these grieving people are glorifying the Lord through this.
Honestly, Dee, I wish I could go with you into those prisons and experience that radiance from those women. It is so good to know that the Lord does give a special strength and radiance to us when we need it the very most…and yet, as you mentioned (I read further) He can seem to “hide” at times but during those times we must “speak truth to our souls” as you have said so often, and oh how I have benefitted so much from learning that. Thank you, Dee.
Mary: You are one who shines radiantly from a dark place — how you have blessed us with that, being right here with us, giving us hope. Thank you!
Monday: I’m doing this now cause I won’t have time tomorrow!!
2). The bride describes her Bridegroom as an “apple tree among the trees of the wood…..under his shadow I delighted to sit & his fruit was sweet to my taste”. She loves being intimately near him & with him. She sees him as far better than all the rest; she desires him.
3). Where is God being like a deer who hides in my life? Probably in my husband. No visible evidence of softening towards God yet. I’m waiting & longing for the day when God will “suddenly” leap out & surprise me!
4). At least 5 things (& many more) that I know to be true about God to help me trust Him are: a). He is my covenant keeping God. b). He knows my heart & hears my prayers. c).He is Faithful d). He loves me with an everlasting Love e). He is my Shepherd & He will never leave me, & He will guide me. f).He is my Rock & my stability, my anchor. g). He is working in my life for my good & His Glory!
1. What stood out? The recidivism rate stood out to me. I’ve met several times with a young gal who has spent time in jail, now on house arrest and looking at prison. My eyes fill with tears for her as I see her continue to make poor choices and stay in that bad cycle. Currently, it has been months since we’ve met, and she doesn’t return my calls. So I cry out to God for her.
2. How does the bride describe her bridegroom here? Like an apple tree in the forest. Not as big or impressive as the other trees, but the one who is most fruitful.
3. Where is God hiding in your life? With my eating difficulties, but also with a problem in my church, and with a mentoring program I had hoped to do which was denied. Now someone else’s plan has been approved. I thought God was leading me in the mentoring, but now it doesn’t look like it.
Mary B. It is so hard when you sensed God’s leading and the door seems to close. Truly a time of trusting, and will pray that He holds you through this.
1.What stands out to you from the above and why?
“Every time I come here,
I feel the breath of God on the back of my neck,
for He certainly shows up for you, and so I get to be a part of that.
Ah , LORD , how you redeem us. His goodness , grace and mercy overwhelms us.
It is our GOD who heals and restores, I am thankful that Lisa and the other ladies let down the walls and saw His pursuit of them. That’s the testimony , isn’t it? How He is relentless in His love for us. I know the more I am still , the more room there is for Him to be tangible in my life. I can see where their incarceration would remove so many of the distractions that we have in the world that keep us from spending time with Him.
Sue-seeker: Yes I agree…so many distractions “that keep us from spending time with Him”. Love this: ” the more I am still, the more room there is for Him to be tangible in my life”
Jenny , sometimes I am amazed at how I don’t make time for Him but I do have lots of time for silly stuff . I’m so grateful that His love isn’t based on my performance!
1.What stands out to you from the above and why?
I have struggled with the idea of those in prison (specifically on death row) seeming to at the end of their life “coming to Jesus.” However, two thoughts have helped me to resolve my issue with the quandary I have had. One was Karla Faye Tucker who said, (in an interview you shared) that she needed to tell the truth (finally) because since she had come to know Jesus and, “…we were now talking about eternity.” The other thing was listening to Nancy Demoss Woglemuth this past week. She made a comment that neither of the condemned men on either cross next to him knew or believed in him. However, the one man turned his face away, while the other decided that if Jesus was really a king, then he must have a kingdom and he wanted no to be a part of that. This happened during the crucifixion; at the end of the man’s life. I’m happy that Karla Faye wanted others incarcerated to know Jesus, and that you, Dee, go to help them also.
Laura, it was good to see your sweet grandbabies. I know it’s not how you envisioned this season of your life, and I can only imagine your fatigue and frustration at times. But how blessed these babies are to have a grandma who loves them and lays down her life for them. So very hard, but Bravo to you, dear sister!
Thanks Miriam, for the encouraging words! We are just doing what we have to do right now; no “kudos,” just love those two…any of us would do it, I think.
2. Read Song of Songs 2:1-3. How does the bride describe her bridegroom here?
She describes him like an apple tree. She sits in his shade and tastes the sweet fruit.
3. Right now, where is God being like a deer who hides in your life?
Definitely with our daughter.
1.What stands out to you from the above and why?
His power. His Grace. His passion and pursuit of us. And this: God is near to the humble, to those who know their desperate need for Him, to those who know that without Him they can do nothing.
How God surprised and encouraged J.R. when our precious sister looked at him with Christ’s radiance all over her face. So much in this post!
Also, I want to shout it out to the world that it is because of Him that the recidivism rate is so low after being in D.U. program. At 5% with aftercare help-wow, just wow.. Lord you are all powerful over hearts. Hallelujah, you are alive! Your pursuit and forgiveness for you came not to condemn but to redeem us to make us one with you-oh.
Rebecca — you make me want to dance!
2. Read Song of Songs 2:1-3. How does the bride describe her bridegroom here?
Like an apple tree among trees of the forest, bearing sweet fruit, making shade.
3. Right now, where is God being like a deer who hides in your life?
I am not having a rich time spiritually right now. I am feeling depressed, a little afraid that this darkness will deepen. I am not used to thinking that God is keeping out of sight to test me, more that the reason lies in me, why I feel this way.
4. What the enemy wants is to convince you of is that God doesn’t love you. Satan’s goal is to get you to retreat from God. To defeat the enemy’s lies, write down at least five things you know to be true of God that will help you trust Him while He is silent and seemingly absent.
2 Timothy 2:13
“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”
Psalm 106:8
“Nevertheless He saved them for the sake of His name, That He might make His power known.”
Matthew 7:11
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him.”
Deuteronomy 7:9
“ Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.”
Hosea 2
“14 “Therefore, behold, I will allure her,
and bring her into the wilderness,
and speak tenderly to her.
15 And there I will give her her vineyards
and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.
And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth,
as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt.
16″And in that day, declares the Lord, you will call me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer will you call me ‘My Baal.’ 17For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be remembered by name no more. 18And I will make for them a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the creeping things of the ground. And I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land, and I will make you lie down in safety. 19And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. 20I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord. “
This was helpful this morning, thank you Dee. The picture in Hosea of God’s relentless pursuit of his unfaithful people. in spite of his heartbreak’ never fails to thaw my heart.
Chris — such good passages for all of our souls!
Chris: praying that the Lord will shine His Light into your darkness & give u hope & joy. Can’t imagine how hard this must be for u dear sister. Love all the verses u posted…thanks!
Chris , I know that Jesus is close to the broken hearted , He’s not going to hide Himself from you. When I was in the deepest pit He showed me how thankfulness would break those chains . I looked at my life and said there was nothing To be thankful for , it was a lie from the enemy but I was so miserable. My very first gratitude that I wrote down was for a blue hydrangea Bush . That was it ! Nothing else but it was a start . But everyday I continued to try and see Him in His blessings to me and slowly my mind and my heart started to heal. It was a long journey but one that brought me into His Presence that I had never known. I’m praying for you , that the darkness will not deepen. Keep seeking Him , He is Faithful to hear His daughters.
Thank you Jenny & Sue, for your kindness to me. I prayed a lot on the way to work yesterday, it was a better day at work than I have had in a while 🙂
2. Read Song of Songs 2:1-3. How does the bride describe her bridegroom here?
Like an Apple tree that produces shade and the most delectable, sweet apples. This is a picture of intimacy with Him for she desires Him above all others for He satisfies fully. He is her rest and delight.
4. Five things I know are true about God…He is faithful to His word and promises, He will never leave nor forsake me, He knows the plans He has for me and will bring them to completion, He is interceding for me before the throne of God, He desires me more than the good things I can do.
5.A. Ps 126… He says it was like a dream come true or health restored, full of joy and laughter and fruitfulness.
B. Vs 5-6 say that while we may weep and sorrow, as we continue to act in faith, or sow, God will turn our sorrow to joy.
3. Right now, where is God being like a deer who hides in your life?
Well, he was hiding and has come out to surprise the past few days. :)) I can’t give details here but it has to do with something in my marriage and God is giving us joy! My husband has let down his walls and God is changing our hearts, changing our passions, and our prayer is that we become more one in Him. He is turning our daily ashes into beauty. I don’t want to paint a present wrapped up in a neat bow for I am beyond certain there is more to come to try us for we have four boys and he has two full time jobs-we so need to be humbled more-to be stripped of whatever is in the way of intimacy with him for we can’t make it without Him. He will certainly hide again in our life but I just want to share to encourage you-and to enjoy Him and praise Him for what I know only HE has done and is continuing to do.
Rebecca! Joy!!!
😀 So happy to read this!
OH Rebecca!!!! how I have been praying for this for you! I will continue to pray for healing, openness, restoration and joy! this post made my morning 🙂
Cyndi and everyone who has been praying-my heart is SO overwhelmed and melting with His love through you. THANK you for praying and please continue. 🙂
Rebecca,What an encouragement in what you have shared. God is so faithful and He always will be.
Thankful for answered prayers, Rebecca! I love to see how He is always working in our lives .
I am glad of this sweet thing in you life dear Rebecca!
Rebecca–THIS so blessed me this morning! Rejoicing with you over this!
What stands out to me is Dee’s observation “The most alive church I know is in the faith dorms of prison” and J.R.’s observation “Mom–they were in cages, but I was overwhelmed by their joy!”
My thought is that those women “get” Jesus. They are not distracted by the things of this world. Jesus is all they have and He is enough. If I really believe Jesus is enough I need a whole lot less in my life.
Rebecca: this is so wonderful & gives me hope…what joy for u your husband! May the Lord increase it! 🙂
1. I am super touched by the fact that her little boy saved all of her letters. I just cannot wrap my head around being separated from your children for years! The fact that she has recovered from that and is able to enjoy a relationship with them now is truly a testimony of what Jesus can do. The picture of the women all in white with their hands raised, it reminds me of the scene in Revelation where everyone is singing holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come. There’s something almost Celestial about it.
Celestial was a beautiful word to describe that photo
2. When she describes the bridegroom as an apple tree that gives her good fruit and gives her Comfort in it’s/his shade I can’t help but think that as a lily there’s really nothing she can do for the apple tree. The Apple Tree gives freely of his fruit and comfort expecting nothing in return. Just to sit Underneath Him. She is a lily she is not the Sun or the soil or the water… she is the receiver. This is a lesson I need to learn.
3. I have begged him to give me direction on what I should be doing with my free time. I want to be involved in Ministry, but I don’t want to just be busy or just do something to fill up the time I want to be intentional. There are so many needs out there, I want to be a part of meeting them. But more than that I want to be patient and obedient. The only thing I know for sure right now is that I am supposed to wait until he tells me what to do next. And so I wait, trying to get to know HIM better each day.
4. I have a hard time relating to not feeling loved by God thing…. I think i must really err on the “unconditional love” side of Jesus! for this I am so very grateful…..BUT I really struggle with feeling like I am doing HIM justice down here. I want EVERYONE to understand how loved they are and I never feel like i am doing enough to communicate that to those in my life. I don’t feel like I need to earn HIS love but I do feel a huge responsibility to SHARE that love with as many people as possible. so I will share the things that help me to not get stuck here…a husband that is the string to my balloon. (we would have adopted 10 times by now and i would be a basket case, kids who love Jesus even if they are not always nice to me :-), the chance to spend a couple days with a 1 year old (reminds me to be curious and joyful) , and all the small and big miracles that had to happen for me to know HIS love.
4. What the enemy wants is to convince you of is that God doesn’t love you. Satan’s goal is to get you to retreat from God. To defeat the enemy’s lies, write down at least five things you know to be true of God that will help you trust Him while He is silent and seemingly absent.
1. Emmanuel , God with us. Matthew 1:23 God is always with me , I can’t trust my feelings that He is not here. His promise is to not leave me or forsake me. Dueteronomy 31:6
2. God is Faithful 1 Corithians 1:9 . He is Faithful , always working for our good.
3. God delights in me !!!! Zephaniah 3;17 He looks at me and delights in me , how did I not know this for so long ? The enemy keeps us from the truth.
4. The LORD is my strength and My Shield Psalm 28:7 My strength fails , I am just me . But the same power that raised Christ from the dead Lives in me. He holds it out to me freely , will I unclench what I’m hanging onto and accept what He offers me ? The enemy wants me to chose lesser things.
5. The LORD blesses His daughters with Peace . Psalm 29:11 Ok , it does say He blesses His People with peace but I like to personalize His Word with daughter , She and her . I long to hear Him call me daughter and Beloved and I see it in His Word to me.
In the past I have felt that God was hiding before but in truth He was there , calling me to seek more , to desire more , to see my need. It was truly a refining season.
His Word was always there to remind me of all His goodness to me . I just needed to pick it up and read it . And to praise Him , our praise to Him defeats the enemy.
There was a deep pit that the enemy meant for my destruction but God…. I love those 2 words , but God….. God Always has more for us than the enemy wants us to see.
But God means a ton to me too Sue, I enjoyed your list.
4. To defeat the enemy’s lies, write down at least five things you know to be true of God that will help you trust Him while He is silent and seemingly absent.
God is goodness.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”
Galatians 5:22 ESV
http://bible.com/59/gal.5.22.esv
God is love.
“”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 ESV
http://bible.com/59/jhn.3.16.esv
God is ruler over all, including Satan.
“Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!”
Psalms 103:22 ESV
http://bible.com/59/psa.103.22.esv
God is protective.
“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.””
Isaiah 41:13 ESV
http://bible.com/59/isa.41.13.esv
God saved me by giving His only Son to take on my sin so I could be with Him forever.
“But I have built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever.””
2 Chronicles 6:2 ESV
http://bible.com/59/2ch.6.2.esv
So good, Laura.
I wanted to share this song Psalm 126, Sandra McCracken performed it at the CCEF conference a couple years ago, it has become dear to me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tIuxV8pTJk
This is beautiful, thank you for sharing, Chris. I’ve been reading Psalm 18 the past couple of days.
Chris, this song is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
love this Chris, and your heart
2. Read Song of Songs 2:1-3. How does the bride describe her bridegroom here?
Like an apple tree providing shade and sweet fruit. Shade can be a very pleasant place to be out of the burning sun which is also a protection and sweet fruit is satisfying and pleasing to our taste.
3. Right now, where is God being like a deer who hides in your life?
I don’t have the sense He is hiding from me but more that He stops and gets quiet waiting for me to follow Him as He leads. I have been just too noisy at times and I feel perhaps He just stands off quietly until I settle down and start to watch and listen for Him.
4. What the enemy wants is to convince you of is that God doesn’t love you. Satan’s goal is to get you to retreat from God. To defeat the enemy’s lies, write down at least five things you know to be true of God that will help you trust Him while He is silent and seemingly absent.
This is so so true. I believed the lie that God didn’t love me as much as others. I doubted him. It was a very real hinderance in my relationship not appreciating Him as my true living Father.
These five things are just the tip of the iceberg.
1.) God loves me.
2.) God provides for me.
3.) God protects me.
4.) God saved me and has given me eternal life.
5.) God has given me hope.
Bev–I like this: “I have been just too noisy at times and I feel perhaps He just stands off quietly until I settle down and start to watch and listen for Him.”
6. A time in the past when God leapt out….less than six years ago, we were in despair over our son. He had been difficult to raise, nearly from the beginning. Now he was in his late 20’s and spiraling down. He was living with us, having trouble keeping a job and living paycheck to paycheck. He was very depressed and spoke openly about his despair. We weren’t sure he wouldn’t try to take his life. Then through circumstances only God could orchestrate, he met a lovely Christian woman. In rapid succession, everything reversed for him and today they’ve been married for 4.5 years. Emotionally he still struggles some, but overall is so thankful to God for where he is at. We sing the praises of God through all this, and thank Christ for our daughter in love.
7.A. The Psalmist says that when God hid, it brought dismay. It brought a feeling of destruction and being turned to the dust of death
B. In vs11, he recounts how God turned his wailing into dancing. God took the sackcloth and exchanged it for joy, and silence for songs of thanksgiving.
You give me hope! Thank you!
Mary B — how we love love love stories like this.
Mary B, your story gives me hope. So glad God met him in his despair. Praising God for his mercy for your son!
I have a son going through a similar yet different experience right now. His job, his emotional health, his ragged relationship with a certain female in his life … all in deep distress! We don’t see a way out right now. But God will rescue my son, though we don’t see how! Crying out to the Lord for my son.
8. A time God turned mourning into dancing…there was a time I was suicidal. I hadn’t made up my mind to do it, but I had chosen the means and had that available. We were in the darkest days of our marriage. It was right before Thanksgiving, and I was driving when I saw a snowmobiles on the lake. He was skipping over open water. I stopped the car and yelled at him. I told him he was being very foolish and stupid, to endanger himself that way. That his death would cause other people great pain. In that moment, God put the realization in me that He saw my situation in the same light. He cared for me, and my death would hurt others. I got rid of my means, and I’ve never been that low again. I didn’t exactly dance after, but I continued in the dance of life with Christ as my partner.
Wow Mary, this story hits home for me. I have never made a plan for suicide (I’m a chicken), but I have thought I would be better dead than alive, and actually wanted it because the pain was so great at the time. So cool that God provided a way to see your situation outside of yourself! I’m glad He did.
Thank you, Laura! I am so glad to be an encouragement to you!!
Mary , what an intervention on our LORD’S part . To have you see the snowmobile rider at just that time. For God to show you how your death would impact others. The enemy is such a deceiver but thankfully God is Mightier.
5. Read Psalm 126
A. We don’t know what event the psalmist is remembering in the opening verses, but we know how he felt then. Describe it.
He felt like it was a dream (too good to be true but it was really happening). He overflowed with laughter and shouts of joy and praise to God. There was gladness.
B. What promise do you see for those who trust God in a time of weeping, a time of seeming silence?
That restoration and gladness will come from the Lord. But I see here the sorrowing and weeping ones kept moving ahead in the hope and promise God will turn things around and produce blessing for them. It reminds me that in the end God always wins.
6. Record a time when God leapt out for you in the past, filling your mouth with laughter.
In our first year of marriage we were both needing jobs while my husband went to college. It was a month of job searching and we were praying but not sure where and how God would provide. Our funds were running low. On the same day my husband and I both got a call that we had been hired and we started to work at our respective jobs at the same time. We were a couple of happy kids to say the least.
Sweet story in 6.
5. Read Psalm 126
A. We don’t know what event the psalmist is remembering in the opening verses, but we know how he felt then. Describe it.
He is elated; excited!
B. What promise do you see for those who trust God in a time of weeping, a time of seeming silence?
There is a promise of good times again; fruitful times when they will be rich in their joy.
5. Read Psalm 126
We don’t know what event the psalmist is remembering in the opening verses, but we know how he felt then. Describe it.
They were overcome with joy and gratitude. One senses that the emotion was heightened because it was a corporate experience rather than an individual one.
B. What promise do you see for those who trust God in a time of weeping, a time of seeming silence?
That joy will return and that there will be a harvest. This psalm affects me deeply.
I hope I do okay at sewing my tears.
6. Record a time when God leapt out for you in the past, filling your mouth with laughter.
Most of the time when Gods has wowed me I have felt more awe than laughter.
When I think of laughter I think of working at church with a group of ladies. We do a tea at our church. I prefer the work in the kitchen to sitting at a table all dressed up and being quiet, in the kitchen we laugh 🙂
Chris, You will definitely reap a tremendous harvest from the tears you have sown. Your tears are precious to God.
Last week Dee included an introduction to a book by John Eldredge called “All Things New”. I down loaded it on my Kindle and read it. I really think it could be a very real encouragement to you personally.
Praying for you sweet girl,
Bev
Thank you Bev, I will look up that book. My book stack is embarrassingly large at the moment. I used to devour books but now seem to have a hard time reading for longer periods. I think it may have to do with my vision. I have an eye appt. 🙂
9. My opportunities to connect with my grandchildren face to face are limited, but not the opportunities to pray. The throne room is always open! I am grateful for every opportunity to encourage that young family.
10. Hosea 2:15-17 says in that the wilderness God wants to grant Israel the means of fruitfulness (the vineyards), and exchange trouble and destruction for hope. It says Israel will again sing, and that the relationship with God will move from being master and servant to husband and wife. It says God will remove the worship of idols from their lives and lips.
Interesting, because Sunday’s sermon at my church was on Israel recounting the time in the wilderness. Pastor shared that even today in Israel, to go to the wilderness means to go to your death, because you can’t survive the experience outside of God’s miraculous intervention. Isn’t that cool? It makes me consider that when God calls us into the wilderness that His purpose, among others, may be to put to death in us something that needs to die.
Thank you Mary for sharing that the wilderness means death. It is sticking with me.
I though of Hagar and Ishmael. How awful it was for Sarah to send them away to die and how awful for Abraham, no wonder God had to intervene, assuring to him that Ishmael would not die but would also be made into a great nation.
4. What the enemy wants is to convince you of is that God doesn’t love you. Satan’s goal is to get you to retreat from God. To defeat the enemy’s lies, write down at least five things you know to be true of God that will help you trust Him while He is silent and seemingly absent.
1. When satan lies about God having enough of me and that I am a failure and He doesn’t care: Well, He is in me for I am sealed with His Holy Spirit-When God seals or commits-HE NEVER breaks it and there is nothing I did to achieve it anyway for He did it all so there is no failure big enough that would cause Him to unseal me. 🙂 He won’t leave me and more than that-He loves me when I fail Him which makes me not want to fail him and makes me want to press in and confess and turn: lamentations 2:22-23: The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease for His compassions never fail, they are NEW every morning. Great is your faithfulness.
2. He was abandoned, spit on, and ridiculed- left alone in it so I wouldn’t have to be. God abandoned Him on the cross so that I would never be “left alone” in my pain or my hurt. God backed away from Jesus so that I can press into God and be held by Him and soar with Him like an eagle-oh His love!! SO that leads me to Isaiah 40:31-and when I think of what He did for me how can I not wait and trust-but OH I must remind myself so this question is SO good for me this morning: “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
3. This is how He feels about me from the Song:
Song of Songs 2: 2 : Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the young women.
Song of Songs 4: 1a and 9: How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes,….
Song of Songs 6:5a: Turn your eyes from me; they overwhelm me.
4. When satan wants me to back away telling me God has given up on me: (God wants me to press in for He wants to hear my voice.)
My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside,show me your face, let me hear your voice;for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.
Such richness in answer to 1.
7. Read Psalm 30:6-12
A. How is the psalmist lamenting and crying out in verses 6-10?
Going from a place of confidence in verse 6 where life felt prosperous and secure to God hiding his face from the psalmist caused him great dismay. It was an empty and painful place that left him feeling dismayed and pleading for mercy. A place of being lost and needing God to intervene. I see Christ in verse 9 where the psalmist says “what profit is there in my death”. Death in the side note of my bible says it means my blood. For the psalmist to shed his blood and die cannot save him. Twice he asks God for mercy. God had mercy on us in our hurt and emptiness by Christ dying and shedding His blood he brought us up out of the pit and gave us cause to praise Him.
B. What is he remembering in verse 11?
He is remembering how God heard his cry for mercy and met him in his time of dismay which turned his heart from heaviness and despair to active joy.
8. Remember a time when God turned your mourning into dancing and share it here.
When our little Aerilyn Kate was born 4 years ago with spina bifida we had no idea what we were facing with her. We didn’t even really know what it was but our new baby granddaughter had been flown with our son from Tyler Texas to Dallas Children’s for surgery and we were traveling 12 hours drive from Nebraska to Texas to be with them. It was a very heavy feeling with so many unknowns for the future. Today that little brown eyed, black haired beauty brings a great deal of love and joy to our lives. On Sunday at church she came charging up to me with her bright yellow walker absolutely thrilled to see me. As I grabbed her up in my arms she hugged me tightly around my neck laughing. My mourning for her has been turned to dancing (great joy) but it will only get better. Because there is coming a day when Christ will restore and make all things new. And I will see Aerilyn literally dance on whole and strong legs. (Yes I have tears in my eyes as I write that. )
9. Did you have a grandmother who impacted you spiritually? Give thanks! Or are you one who is endeavoring to impact your grandchildren with the love and truth of Christ? Give thanks for the opportunity!
I had two unconditionally loving grandmothers and I treasured their prayers. I had the privilege of growing up close to them and they taught me by example how to be a grandmother. My sister and I both consider the name “Grandma” to be an honored title because of our loving Grandmas. It is a great privilege to “love on” and pray for grandchildren.
Dee, Thank you for sharing those pictures of Laura’s two beautiful grandchildren. It absolutely delights my heart to see those and Laura, be assured that God will richly reward your efforts on their behalf.
Oh how I love the story of your grand daughter Bev! She is a beautiful reminder of why God left us here; to take care of and love each other. She ministers to you as much as you to her 😊. So sweet.
Funny that I have not much considered the harvest when I get to heaven. I suppose you are right Bev, but I’m sure I have done many other things that offset my goodness here, however I know I’m not supposed to think that way…saved by grace, I know.
8. Remember a time when God turned your mourning into dancing and share it here.
I was sitting on the porch after a chemotherapy treatment just enjoying the sun , recouping after the rough weekend. . As I’m sitting there , hundreds and hundreds , maybe thousands of monarch butterflies start to fly through our yard . They were migrating ! I just sat there and they flew on my left , to my right and above me, all around. I laughed out loud for the beauty of it.
It was a pretty spectacular Creation show. And I remember thinking ” butterflies ? they symbol new life” And at that moment I felt like I was going to be okay from the cancer. It’s been 26 years and they’ve never migrated through there again.
I’d like to say that after such a kiss from the King that I’ve never struggled, that I’ve always trusted Him but that was so far from the truth. But He didn’t give up on me , He is Faithful even when I didn’t know His true character. He is good to keep pursuing us.
Sue…I haven’t ‘met’ you and have been gone from the blog for many months…but this post just brought me such amazement! What a loving, merciful God we have to bless you with that unparalleled beauty when you so needed a touch from his hand. He came to me in an intimate way once many years ago as I was in the throes of sorrow and it anchored my soul in a way I’d never quite felt before.
Hello , Wanda ! So nice to meet you here. It was a most memorable moment ! My anchoring came later . I was a Very slow learner 🙂 . I just marvel at His pursuit of us , that we would know His great love for us . That we don’t miss out
Sue this gave me chills!
7. Read Psalm 30:6-12
A. How is the psalmist lamenting and crying out in verses 6-10?When things were going good he thought he was strong, but in his adversity he realized how weak he was and he cried out to the Lord for help.
B. What is he remembering in verse 11?
How his mourning was turned to dancing and how he had his sackcloth replaced with gladness.
8. Remember a time when God turned your mourning into dancing and share it here.
After I had been terribly betrayed by 2 close friends; they wouldn’t discuss it with me and wouldn’t tell me why. It forced me to focus on Christ and rely on Him for comfort, to give up the idol I had made of friendship. It brought me closer to my family and to the ladies here.
I still grieve over that betrayal but love your response, Dawn.
I am so glad He led you here Dawn 🙂
7. Read Psalm 30:6-12
A. How is the psalmist lamenting and crying out in verses 6-10?
He is feeling the absence of the presence of the Lord that he has known previously. He is thinking he will die, he is crying out for mercy.
B. What is he remembering in verse 11?
That joy has followed mourning in the past. That praise has come after a time of silence.
8. Remember a time when God turned your mourning into dancing and share it here.
I have two, one relates to our marriage. About 26 years ago we nearly got divorced and Bill had an affair. It was a seriously dark time for me. But the Lord used it to humble my husband, forced us to deepen our knowledge of ourselves, and caused us to begin to communicate on levels we never had previously. I know that God has held our marriage together supernaturally. We had our 33 anniversary last April. I am so grateful that we’ve continued on together.
I lost my mom when she was just 65. I was really close to my mom, I still miss her so much, she was an excellent person. My dad had heart disease and smoked for years, my mom was into nutrition and took pretty good care of herself, it was a shock to all of us when she went first.
The joy part of the story came in the form of relationship with my dad. My mom and dad had a rough relationship. I think I had always seen my dad through my mom’s eyes, with all the hurt she had felt. After she was gone I cared for my dad, cleaning his house and things. I had a chance to see him with my own eyes. I am glad to have had that opportunity.
Chris , so thankful for your transparency. My husband and I both acknowledged that the LORD is the one who kept our marriage together in the midst of our trying to destroy it. We weren’t even walking with Him but as we look back we see His hand over it all. I still don’t know why we received such Mercy but I am so Thankful.
My mom died at age 66 but sadly we were not close. So thankful for Heaven where that relationship will be restored.
Sue-seeker, I love how you say that Christ was leading you even when you weren’t walking with him. That is exactly how my life was, step-by-step when I was rejecting Him He was leading me.
Good stories, Chris.
10. God allows us, or even leads us into the wilderness for a purpose. See if you can find it in Hosea 2:15-17.
In verse 14 God says He will speak tenderly in the wilderness and from there He will make restoration and He will make the valley of trouble a door of hope. And from that place there will come joy as in time past. And from that time and place He will be acknowledged as the loving Husband He is and all other idols that were in his place will be taken away and forgotten.
I see a heart change taking place from being in the wilderness. That is what God really wants from me is a heart change that gives him his rightful place as Husband of my life.
11. How do we know that the wilderness achieved its purpose in the Shulammite’s life according to Song of Songs 8:5?
Because from out of the wilderness she came “leaning on her beloved” which implies a close dependency on and love for Him.
12. Share a time when God spoke tenderly to you in the wilderness.
When my father in-law whom we loved dearly had been diagnosed with cancer we were hurting over the news. He was in a hospital in a larger city. The next day my husband and I were staying overnight in a relative’s home. We had to be at the hospital very early in the morning so we could see him before going to surgery. We had set an alarm on a clock radio that was unfamiliar to us. When that radio came on it was tuned to a Christian radio station and there was a song playing with words taken from scripture. They were from Psalm 73. “The Lord is the strength of my heart, He is my portion. The Lord is the strength of my heart, His nearness is for my good.” Laying there in the dark we were both overtaken by those tender Words from our heavenly Father and were able to share with Dad that passage before he went into surgery. It was a song we had never heard before and have never heard since and in searching for it I could never find it. God spoke tenderly when we needed Him to.
Bev , that is beautiful. I love the way He ministers to us in music. He truly does sing over us.
Bev & Laura, your conversation above about investing in the lives of grandchildren made me think of this, I think it was my most favorite session at a CCEF conference ever…well maybe my second favorite! Alasdair Groves was the speaker, he made the content of the session into a blog post:
https://www.ccef.org/resources/blog/treasuring-others
Thanks for sharing the article Chris. Very enlightening indeed!
7. Read Psalm 30:6-12
A. How is the psalmist lamenting and crying out in verses 6-10?
He is somewhat cynical at first about God’s helping him and then surprised that God actually attended to him when it seemed like he was forgotten. In the end he is elated.
B. What is he remembering in verse 11?
He remembers what it was like to be in mourning and the feeling of releasing that burden.
Yes Chris, Thankyou. I really appreciate what the author has to say. It is encouraging and helpful on several fronts.
12. When did God speak tenderly to you in the wilderness?
I have shared it before, but when we went through a white water time in our marriage. When it dawned on me how much trouble we were really in, my spirit immediately whirled around to God, like a small child begging “up!” And He picked up my spirit and carried me for the next month. It was still incredibly painful, but I would not have survived that time outside of Him.
How can I be God’s fragrance on Thanksgiving day? By resting in Him at all times. Especially if it gets too loud or confusing for my taste. To let His nature show through me. Specifically in what I will share during my three chances to share what I am thankful for with the group. I am thankful that He is the one orchestrating my journey through life, and I do not need to be afraid. I am thankful for every wilderness time He has taken me through, because it has helped me get rid of things in me that are useless. And I am thankful in this day, to be present with Him every moment.
Share a time when God spoke tenderly to you in the wilderness.
I remember crying out to God in the dark time , telling Him I was so sorry to bother Him but it was me again and could He please help. and I remember hearing that still , small voice in my soul
” you’re a Daughter , not a bother ” .
I remind myself of that often.
I love this Sue, it sounds like something he would say 🙂
Love this, Sue.
6. Record a time when God leapt out for you in the past, filling your mouth with laughter.
I’ve been thinking on this for about a day; I have had several times when God slowly worked in my life, but this question specifically means He leaps out at you, unexpected. I can think of two times like that. Once was earlier this year when I was lamenting to myself about giving a donation to Nancy Demoss Wolglemuth’s ministry; I had wanted to for a very long time, but the money never seemed to “be there.” I happened to hear a program where several people did give even though they weren’t sure how they would come up with the donation. They prayed and God provided almost immediately for them. I made a mental note and thought am would sure like something like that to happen for me. The next day, I was asked to tutor a student and my husband needed help at his work answering phones for the day! The total amount of money ended up being about $130 and I was amazed. Not one, but two ways to contribute! God is good.
The second leap happened when one of our sons was 16. He had a bad habit of disappearing for days at a time. Totally scary. I usually could figure out where he was, but this particular time I had absolutely no idea. I laid on my bed and prayed that God would find him. Immediately the phone rang. it was a woman so didn’t know and she asked if I was his mother! She said he had been on the swing across the street from her house for a day or so hanging out. He knew her daughter. Another amazing leap from God.
Oh , Laura, He was so good to calm your heart by letting you know where your son was . And it was “ immediately “ !
Dee,
Thanks for sharing this sermon again. I can see why it is your favorite. I hope everyone who has not listened to it before will take the time. He gives great richness and perspective to the meaning of our tears and their place in our lives and our faith walk.
His information on the Psalms and their value in how to express our feelings is so good.
This sermon reinforces the reality that because of the Cross it is not about us. Self pity has no place in our lives but it is all about Jesus. Our tears will be redeemed when we bring them to the Cross of Christ.
Last week I sat and prayed with a sweet young friend who is at the end of a difficult pregnancy and waiting for a C-section. The birth of her first child became life threatening for her. And her last pregnancy ended abruptly in miscarriage. Now as we await the birth of this little boy it was with tears we prayed together laying all the fears at Jesus feet. This sermon encouraged my heart joy is soon to come.
Bev — love how you live your life.
Keller’s Praying our Tears
the Psalms tell us three things about tears. To expect them, invest them and pray them.
expect them like streams in the Negev. We go through dry times, times of tears, even when we haven’t sinned. Being a person of faith can make the tears more..
Our heart of stone has been removed
There was one perfect heart on this earth, the Man of Sorrows.
To be like Him means we will have tears. If you don’t expect it, you’ll grieve and then question ‘why’.
Invest your tears …. Sowing in tears brings a harvest, so don’t just cry, plant your tears. See sorrow as an opportunity to grow. The sheaves are joy. Not just tears giving way to joy, but a harvest, an increase of joy. Even an eternal weight of glory. Avoiding tears doesn’t change you. But how to plant….
Pray them. Put your tears in three things…
a realization of grace, knowing God understands and is safe with our tears
in a vision of the cross. Why is this so important? We have the ONLY God who suffered with and for us. He suffered the abandonment we deserve when we tell God to go away. Ps 39, last verse. This is the magic that turns our tears to gold. Take your tears and think about Jesus’ tears. This takes away your guilt, God is not abandoning you. It takes away self pity, keeps you from shrinking and becoming too self centered. And it takes away your impatience, when you don’t understand what He is doing in your life.
In an assurance of His glory. You WILL return with joy. Not might, or maybe, but will. All prayer brought far enough becomes praise. It may take years. The assurance takes away your fear of weeping, that it might last too long or go too deep. Your tears might be part of what brings a harvest of joy for another.
my thoughts on Keller are that I am convicted that while I often feel sorrow, I resist it. I try to avoid tears, literally and figuratively. Now I might just be asking for a softer heart to feel as He does.
Great notes, Mary.
Hi everyone! I’ve just caught up on reading responses & my heart is singing & in wonder of all the tender ways that the Lord has met each of u (& me) thro the seasons of our lives. Wow, such mercy & loving kindness. Now I have to go to work so will hopefully write when I get back! Loved the Tim Keller sermon & it gives me such hope to know that all the tears that have been sown for my husband & kids will be rewarded, & one day I will return with songs of joy, carrying my sheaves with me! Yes Lord!!! 🙂
REBECCA: I know others have had this happen before and I’ve forgotten the answer. I started getting emails with the comments from the blog on them. I guess I inadvertently clicked on the box below when I commented here yesterday. (must be because it’s the first time I’ve ever used my highly sensitive ipad to post here). I thought I had taken care of it by deleting the ‘subscription’ but maybe I should choose ‘suspend’ ?? I just tried that. Maybe should have waited to ask here until i see if it works. I’ll let you know otherwise! 🙂
Tim Keller: Expect tears; Invest tears; Pray tears.
As in Ezekiel 11:36, God takes out our heart of stone & gives us hearts of flesh. We are softer & more vulnerable; we feel evil & pain around us. Jesus was a man of sorrows & He had a perfect human heart. When we plant our tears with prayer, it gives us an opportunity for fruitfulness & growth. It changes us, & it will bring JOY.
As we pray our tears we need to come to God with A realization of His grace; A vision of the cross; Assurance of Glory to come.
All true prayer will eventually end in Praise! It may take decades but it is a promise. The tears & the weeper will be transformed by God’s glory &we will reap a harvest of Joy! Hallelujah!
Next Thurs is Thanksgiving. Is there any way you could be His fragrance to those around you that day? Be still & ask for His wisdom.
I’m going to keep praying & listening for the Lord’s leading in this. My husband & I are going to meet our 3 adult kids in Baltimore. We will spend 3 days together & it may be intense at times. Praying that I will be the fragrance of the Lord to my unbelieving family & to my son’s girlfriend who will be joining us. Lord please still my heart & give me wisdom! 🙂
Praying , Jenny , for your time with family.
The Keller sermon was so good.
My biggest take -a- way was when he said to look to the cross , that my sufferings are nothing compared to the suffering Jesus endured. That the Father does not abandon me but Jesus experienced real abandonment on the cross. Jesus was rejected for me so that I am not rejected. That Jesus tears produce the welcome into God’s presence
I don’t think that I will fully understand the Glory of this until I reach Heaven.
10. God allows us, or even leads us into the wilderness for a purpose. See if you can find it in Hosea 2:15-17.
He wants to be with us and perhaps that’s the only time He can get our attention?
11. How do we know that the wilderness achieved its purpose in the Shulammite’s life according to Song of Songs 8:5?
He comes to her.
Hi Sisters,
I’m in Minneapolis and will be speaking to Widows tonight getting ready to go through the holidays without their spouse. 150 — many are very young because of suicide or drugs or accidents. Please pray for a mighty anointing!
I will pray Dee.
I am praying Dee, that the Lord will go before you, that the hearts of the hearers would be drawn to Him, that he will use you to lift their heads and the you will feel strength and power as you travel.
The first anniversary of my brothers death is this coming Monday. My heart for my sister in law makes me tender to your audience.
Yes Dee. may the Lord anoint you with power, wisdom & discernment. What a blessing you will be to those dear ladies!
Dee , will be praying for everyone, that His Presence is felt by all .