Recently I heard some news that has been hard to take.
A friend whom I have known for many years has a mass on one of his kidneys. This friend has been through so much in the past few years . He is a prayer warrior and has prayed for many people around the world at various times. He is one of the few men that I know who loves God passionately and recklessly. His heart is barbaric at its very core and I love how he loves Jesus.
Since I heard this news, I have been praying and fasting as I ask God for a good report for him, after his recent scan.
During this time, I have been so thankful for the internet and to be able to access worship videos on youtube, in particular, Jesus Culture -Encounter 2012.
Jesus Culture and in particular Kim Walker , know how to take you into the throne room to see the very face of Jesus. I am so thankful to them and to God for their ministry.
There is so much power in HIS name... the name of JESUS. Just saying His name is all it takes to bring on his presence, his name causes darkness to tremble, His name drives all fear away, his name is Love ... He is our healer.. our Saviour , our friend, our brother, and yet He is God. My mind can't contain it.. my heart is overwhelmed by Him and His love for me.
There is noone I could run to but him. The bible says "He is my ever present help in times of trouble". I know this so well... He has been my help throughout the years, and I love him so much.
I have learnt in this life that nothing is forever.. relationships come and go , children grow up and move away, nothing is forever except for the love of my Saviour. His love will continue into the other side of Eternity. It is this love that my heart longs for . He woos me with an everlasting love and melts my heart as I spend time with him. He searches the deep recesses of my heart and draws out what is not of him and upholds me as he asks me for it.
How can I not, live for Him?
How can I not, give him everything?
How can I not, fall on my knees in worship before him for all that he has done?
The blessings that he has given me in this life have come out of much heartache.
He requires nothing else but ALL of me and how can I not, but give him all of me?
There is no one in this world who can satisy like Jesus can... He fills my heart and soul and renews my spirit. I love spending time in His presence.. its where he truly reveals who he is.
There is a cloud before me, thick with his presence. I walk in... into the warm healing light. I walk in, hand in hand with my friend into this cloud full of the presence of God and thick with His LOVE.
We are not afraid.. There is a healing in the light of his presence...I hold up my friend to Him , high into the light of His presence. The healing power of Jesus permeates every fibre , every cell every part of my friends being. He is lifted up and transformed before me ... the light of God , the healing power, lifts him off the ground..slowly turns him around in mid air as Gods power touches every part of him. This renewing, redemptive,glorious healing power of the one who spoke this universe and our world into existence redeeming every part of my friend before my own eyes. As he is released.. he lays there.. motionless.... with tears in my eyes I walk forward and touch him.
As he opens his eyes we both look up.... and it is then that we see the face that we have both longed to see for so long, the face of Jesus.. the same face that told me in a dream many years ago to "follow Him"... that beautiful face .. those beautiful eyes.. that beautiful mouth that speaks to us.You are so loved... I have longed for you to see me face to face for us to look into each others eyes and for me to be able to permeate your souls and spirits with my love for you. What you have seen is just a glimpse of my love and glory... there are some things that I have to hold back until that day you are with me forever.. but know this.. I am with you.. there will never be a time when you are alone.
Know I lead you onto the path that I have purposed for your life, keep seeking me each day for your daily bread , your provision each day. Keep drinking ... drinking my fresh living water.. for without it you will perish. Sit with me , give me time to show you the wonderful and marvelous things that I have planned for your life and for the work that I would have you do on earth.
Know that I will be returning soon... it won't be long now .. only My Father knows the time but I sense it wil be near.. there are still many who do not know my love for them... be my hands and feet to them.. my arms and my voice to the nations who have become numb to me.
They have forgotten all that I have done for them. Don't despise small beginnings,teach my love to your children, each one can multiply my love into this dying world 100 fold. I have called you for such a time as this.. separate yourself from the things of this world and from the things of the flesh.. renew your spirit by reading my words for you, love unconditionally , even the ones who despise or ignore me for it is by your love for them that they will come to know me.
Glorify me in the little things and I will be exalted and glorified when the big things arise.
A watching world depends on you ... rise and be healed in Jesus name.. by my stripes you are HEALED. Go in peace and love , remind each other and the world of my love."
He takes my friends hand and helps him to his feet .. and hugs him . It is an embrace that makes my friend inhale deeply, inhaling a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit , inhaling the Spirit of Jesus, inhaling the Spirit of the living God. He wipes the tears from my eyes and kisses my hand ... fresh tears fall on to his hands and I kiss them away as he embraces me. This gentle lover of my soul, my redeemer , my Saviour whom I love with every fibre of my heart and soul. We stand in His presence for a time, unable to move, not wanting to move.. wanting this moment to last forever, not wanting to leave this cloud , not wanting to leave Him.
The cloud begins to lift and slowly starts to dissipate.
We stand in the same place , amazed and changed forever at what we have just seen.
Still feeling his hands on us we look at each other .. our faces are different, illuminated, full of His countenance.. full of joy and love.
We are filled with a new passion, a new depth of love for a dying world ..refreshed and rejuvenated to continue the race ..... show us where to continue Lord.. direct us and lead us as you promised.
We love you so much.
Wednesday, December 05, 2012
Saturday, June 02, 2012
THE GREAT VALLEY
When I first saw Quest Community Church, I was at a stage where I was pretty much over the "organised church". I had seen so much pride and clickyness over the years and there were truly only one or two people, whom I could see , who had a true relationship with Jesus.
Those couple of people were passionate about Jesus and the things of God and they were also very very humble. I did not see an inch of pride in them. They loved everyone the same..regardless of their choices in life. They had the unconditional love that the bible talks about oozing out of the them. I felt akin to these people but longed to find others who felt the same.
I had begun to think that I might not ever find others who felt like me and so I just spent time alone with God holding on to him in this time of drought. When my Son went to Lexington, Kentucky in the USA, to be Quests worship director, I still was completely unaware of what he had stepped into. I watched Quest online origiinally to watch my Son but as the weeks went on, God started doing something so beautiful in my heart. I was seeing that these people had the same heart as me....it was as if God had used the same cookie dough and carved us all out individually. During this time, I went to visit my son after the birth of my first grandson, and when I stepped into Quest physically for the first time, it felt like I had found ,"The Great Valley".
The Great Valley was in the childs movie, The Land Before Time. The movie is about the journey of baby dinosaurs whose land around them has become barren and drought like, and they begin a journey in search of "The Great Valley", a place where the grass and vegetation were fertile and green, the rivers and streams ran clear . It was like, the land of milk and honey that the bible talks about. I had been in that barren land for a long time, picking up little bits of sustanace along the way. I had long given up thinking that there would be a Great Valley here on earth.
I figured that I would have to wait for Heaven. As I stood at Quest and began meeting more and more people , I literally felt like "Littlefoot" standing on the edge of a mountain as my heart filled up with the realisation that I had entered in and was grazing on the fertile grass in "The Great Valley".
Please watch this video as it is a reflection of what God did in my life during this time.......
In May 1999, This church was originally formed by a group of around 60 people who felt led by God to build a church. They hadnt felt qualified and really were making it up as they went along but God was in it all the way. This church would love people radically and tear down barriers that prevented people from seeing Jesus for who he was. Their belief was that if people could truly see Jesus for who HE really was.. they would want him. This would be a community, who would love unconditionally as they loved people as Jesus loved people. Many would mortgage their homes, sell property , give their lives savings to build this church. Their "Yes" to God made a way for God to do an amazing work.
Today, 13 years on, more then 20,000 people have came to know and have a relationship with Jesus because of that yes. A few years ago , the church building expanded to accomnodate the growing population.. again, people from all walks of life , of all varying incomes, came together and gave an outstanding amounts to pay for the church expansions.
This church is like nothing I have ever seen on earth.. The Pastor, Pete Hise is a man of God who literally drips of Jesus. The words he speaks are like "life giving water". He is able to speak from the very heart of Jesus, because he spends time with Him and submits his life to him. You can tell those who have hung out with Jesus from those who havent, by their words and actions.
When Pete looks at you , you sense Jesus behind his eyes. You sense the same thing in others there too. Its as if their hearts are all beating with his heart. The most wonderful thing is that you can watch this church LIVE online and see previous services on their website at www.questcommunity.com
If you are feeling dry, or you are in a barren land or simply have no idea about Jesus.. come on over to Quest and step into "The Great Valley". To those original pioneers, Pete and Jackie Hise and the team, and every person who make Quest what it is today, I thank you. Who would have thought that all those years ago, that you would be feeding a Mum of seven here in Australia.
Thank you for everything you do in HIS name and for the sacrifices you make . Thank you for saying your Yes moment by moment.
Godbless. Jewell x
Here are some videos with the pioneers of the church sharing memories......
Those couple of people were passionate about Jesus and the things of God and they were also very very humble. I did not see an inch of pride in them. They loved everyone the same..regardless of their choices in life. They had the unconditional love that the bible talks about oozing out of the them. I felt akin to these people but longed to find others who felt the same.
I had begun to think that I might not ever find others who felt like me and so I just spent time alone with God holding on to him in this time of drought. When my Son went to Lexington, Kentucky in the USA, to be Quests worship director, I still was completely unaware of what he had stepped into. I watched Quest online origiinally to watch my Son but as the weeks went on, God started doing something so beautiful in my heart. I was seeing that these people had the same heart as me....it was as if God had used the same cookie dough and carved us all out individually. During this time, I went to visit my son after the birth of my first grandson, and when I stepped into Quest physically for the first time, it felt like I had found ,"The Great Valley".
The Great Valley was in the childs movie, The Land Before Time. The movie is about the journey of baby dinosaurs whose land around them has become barren and drought like, and they begin a journey in search of "The Great Valley", a place where the grass and vegetation were fertile and green, the rivers and streams ran clear . It was like, the land of milk and honey that the bible talks about. I had been in that barren land for a long time, picking up little bits of sustanace along the way. I had long given up thinking that there would be a Great Valley here on earth.
I figured that I would have to wait for Heaven. As I stood at Quest and began meeting more and more people , I literally felt like "Littlefoot" standing on the edge of a mountain as my heart filled up with the realisation that I had entered in and was grazing on the fertile grass in "The Great Valley".
Please watch this video as it is a reflection of what God did in my life during this time.......
In May 1999, This church was originally formed by a group of around 60 people who felt led by God to build a church. They hadnt felt qualified and really were making it up as they went along but God was in it all the way. This church would love people radically and tear down barriers that prevented people from seeing Jesus for who he was. Their belief was that if people could truly see Jesus for who HE really was.. they would want him. This would be a community, who would love unconditionally as they loved people as Jesus loved people. Many would mortgage their homes, sell property , give their lives savings to build this church. Their "Yes" to God made a way for God to do an amazing work.
Today, 13 years on, more then 20,000 people have came to know and have a relationship with Jesus because of that yes. A few years ago , the church building expanded to accomnodate the growing population.. again, people from all walks of life , of all varying incomes, came together and gave an outstanding amounts to pay for the church expansions.
This church is like nothing I have ever seen on earth.. The Pastor, Pete Hise is a man of God who literally drips of Jesus. The words he speaks are like "life giving water". He is able to speak from the very heart of Jesus, because he spends time with Him and submits his life to him. You can tell those who have hung out with Jesus from those who havent, by their words and actions.
When Pete looks at you , you sense Jesus behind his eyes. You sense the same thing in others there too. Its as if their hearts are all beating with his heart. The most wonderful thing is that you can watch this church LIVE online and see previous services on their website at www.questcommunity.com
If you are feeling dry, or you are in a barren land or simply have no idea about Jesus.. come on over to Quest and step into "The Great Valley". To those original pioneers, Pete and Jackie Hise and the team, and every person who make Quest what it is today, I thank you. Who would have thought that all those years ago, that you would be feeding a Mum of seven here in Australia.
Thank you for everything you do in HIS name and for the sacrifices you make . Thank you for saying your Yes moment by moment.
Godbless. Jewell x
Here are some videos with the pioneers of the church sharing memories......
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Jesus death was foretold more than 700 years before he was born......
I find it Amazing that the torture, death, burial and resurrection of Christ was foretold 700 years before his birth. Only God could have inspired these writings...
Isaiah 52:13
The Lord says, "My servant will succeed in his task; he will be highly honoured.
Many people were shocked when they saw him; he was so disfigured that he hardly looked human. But now many nations will marvel at him, and kings will be speechless with amazement. They will see and understand something they had never known."
53:1 The people reply, "Who would have believed what we now report? Who could have seen the Lord's hand in this? It was the will of the Lord that his servant grow like a plant taking root in dry ground. He had no dignity or beauty to make us take notice of him. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing that would draw us to him. We despised him and rejected him; he endured suffering and pain. No one would even look at him — we ignored him as if he were nothing. "But he endured the suffering that should have been ours, the pain that we should have borne. All the while we thought that his suffering was punishment sent by God. But because of our sins he was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. We are healed by the punishment he suffered, made whole by the blows he received. All of us were like sheep that were lost, each of us going his own way. But the Lord made the punishment fall on him, the punishment all of us deserved. "He was treated harshly, but endured it humbly; he never said a word. Like a lamb about to be slaughtered, like a sheep about to be sheared, he never said a word. He was arrested and sentenced and led off to die, and no one cared about his fate. He was put to death for the sins of our people.
He was placed in a grave with those who are evil, he was buried with the rich, even though he had never committed a crime or ever told a lie." The Lord says, "It was my will that he should suffer; his death was a sacrifice to bring forgiveness. And so he will see his descendants; he will live a long life, and through him my purpose will succeed. After a life of suffering, he will again have joy; he will know that he did not suffer in vain. My devoted servant, with whom I am pleased, will bear the punishment of many and for his sake I will forgive them. And so I will give him a place of honor, a place among the great and powerful. He willingly gave his life and shared the fate of evil men. He took the place of many sinners and prayed that they might be forgiven."
Isaiah 52:13
The Lord says, "My servant will succeed in his task; he will be highly honoured.
Many people were shocked when they saw him; he was so disfigured that he hardly looked human. But now many nations will marvel at him, and kings will be speechless with amazement. They will see and understand something they had never known."
53:1 The people reply, "Who would have believed what we now report? Who could have seen the Lord's hand in this? It was the will of the Lord that his servant grow like a plant taking root in dry ground. He had no dignity or beauty to make us take notice of him. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing that would draw us to him. We despised him and rejected him; he endured suffering and pain. No one would even look at him — we ignored him as if he were nothing. "But he endured the suffering that should have been ours, the pain that we should have borne. All the while we thought that his suffering was punishment sent by God. But because of our sins he was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. We are healed by the punishment he suffered, made whole by the blows he received. All of us were like sheep that were lost, each of us going his own way. But the Lord made the punishment fall on him, the punishment all of us deserved. "He was treated harshly, but endured it humbly; he never said a word. Like a lamb about to be slaughtered, like a sheep about to be sheared, he never said a word. He was arrested and sentenced and led off to die, and no one cared about his fate. He was put to death for the sins of our people.
He was placed in a grave with those who are evil, he was buried with the rich, even though he had never committed a crime or ever told a lie." The Lord says, "It was my will that he should suffer; his death was a sacrifice to bring forgiveness. And so he will see his descendants; he will live a long life, and through him my purpose will succeed. After a life of suffering, he will again have joy; he will know that he did not suffer in vain. My devoted servant, with whom I am pleased, will bear the punishment of many and for his sake I will forgive them. And so I will give him a place of honor, a place among the great and powerful. He willingly gave his life and shared the fate of evil men. He took the place of many sinners and prayed that they might be forgiven."
Thursday, February 02, 2012
What legacy will you leave behind ??
I have always seen the importance of this question. What is important to you?.. what is it that you lend your heart and passion to?
Our life will, even now, be leaving a legacy to those who watch from the sidelines.
There are stories that will be told about our life long after we are gone , that will shape our legacy for future generations.
I was listening to a story this morning about a man who had spent time with his 95 year old Aunt. The man asked his Aunt to tell him about his great grandfather. She immediately replied, "Well , let me describe to you Elisha Shroebel Carter like this. She said every night after the meal was over,Elisha and his brothers would pull out the checker board and play checkers... you see there really wasnt much else to do.They had a great time..and then one morning Elisha came to breakfast with his brothers. He said "boys.. I can't play checkers any longer." His brothers replied," Why? What in the world is wrong with checkers??" Elisha replied .. " Well you know evey night when I go to bed, I spend that whole time focusing my whole heart and mind on Christ. I talk to him.. go through the things of the day that have happened and think about the next day.Its a very special time with him... and last night when I went to bed, all I could think about were the moves I could have made on the checkerboard... and I had vowed , Elisha Shroebel said, years ago, that I would never let ANYTHING come between me and my relationship with Jesus Christ."
The mans aunt continued.. "You know he never played checkers again!".
Now you might be thinking.. thats kind of silly.. whats wrong with playing checkers.. and the answer is really nothing.What impressed me is not the issue itself . What impresses me is the tenderness of his conscience, the teachability of his heart, I love the immediacy of his obedience and his desire to not let anything dilute a simple pure relationship with Jesus Christ.
You might say what did that gain him?? Well heaven knows and I know this. He raised 6 Godly Sons and Daughters and THAT is the legacy of this mans life.
It reminds me of a time when we, as a family, had become completely obssessed with everything that was THE LORD OF THE RINGS. We watched the movie, played the games, painted the figurines and collected everything from chess sets to statues to books, playing cards and stickers. We would share stories with anyone who would listen about the similarities of the bible to the Lord of The Rings, and share what Jesus was teaching us about our spiritual lives through the movie.
For those who remember our family at that time would confirm everything that I have said. My youngest twin boys, Benjamin and James when they were only 2 years of age, could repeat quotes from the movies. Their favourite game was getting a stick (turning it into a bow and arrow, with a tea towel tied around their shoulders as a cape) and pretending to either be Legolas killing the Orcs or Gandolf standing face to the face with the Barog as they would declare loudly.."YOU SHALL NOT PASS!! (they would even echo the words at the end.. You shall not pass....ass..asss! Hehe!!)
One night before going to bed, God clearly spoke to my heart . He showed me that we all loved The Lord of The Rings as much as we did him. It floored me to be completely honest, but once I put pride down, I could see it so clearly.
We had all become obsssessed and it was taking away our hearts from the Lord. We still had Jesus in our lives, but he wasnt in his rightful place. He wanted to be our only obssession .. the focus of our passions..our all in all.
Without hestitation the next morning , I explained what God had told me to my children . It was hard for them to completely understand, but they trusted me and that God had spoken to my heart. We built a huge bonfire and took several wheelbarrows down and poured every LOTR item into the fire.
I knew we had done the right thing unto God.. as we were all in tears.. it was breaking our hearts to be obedient as we watched all our treasured items burning. It was one of the hardest things we have ever done jointly as a family.
These items had truly taken up residence in our hearts and our broken hearts and tears were proof of the fact.
It took a few weeks to be completely free of the obsession... and I want to make it quite clear that there is nothing at all wrong with the Lord of The Rings. In fact we still love and have since purchased a few Lotr items.. but the obessession is completely gone now. We have things back in balance. It was a valuable lesson to learn as a family... never to put things before God as it is too painful to let them go at a later date hehe.
I am so grateful for what God taught us during that time. It is a beautiful story of our obedience and love toward Jesus and his love for us. He is such a gentle teacher as he woos us tenderly whispering.. "I want nothing to come between us and our love for each other. Nothing on earth can begin to compare or even satisfy.Trust in me .. as you put me first I will give you your hearts desire"
Looking back over the past 8 years I know that to be completely true.
This story will be shared with future generations as part of a legacy that we shall leave behind. For that I am forever grateful <3 a="" href="http://photobucket.com/images/lotr" target="_blank">
Our life will, even now, be leaving a legacy to those who watch from the sidelines.
There are stories that will be told about our life long after we are gone , that will shape our legacy for future generations.
I was listening to a story this morning about a man who had spent time with his 95 year old Aunt. The man asked his Aunt to tell him about his great grandfather. She immediately replied, "Well , let me describe to you Elisha Shroebel Carter like this. She said every night after the meal was over,Elisha and his brothers would pull out the checker board and play checkers... you see there really wasnt much else to do.They had a great time..and then one morning Elisha came to breakfast with his brothers. He said "boys.. I can't play checkers any longer." His brothers replied," Why? What in the world is wrong with checkers??" Elisha replied .. " Well you know evey night when I go to bed, I spend that whole time focusing my whole heart and mind on Christ. I talk to him.. go through the things of the day that have happened and think about the next day.Its a very special time with him... and last night when I went to bed, all I could think about were the moves I could have made on the checkerboard... and I had vowed , Elisha Shroebel said, years ago, that I would never let ANYTHING come between me and my relationship with Jesus Christ."
The mans aunt continued.. "You know he never played checkers again!".
Now you might be thinking.. thats kind of silly.. whats wrong with playing checkers.. and the answer is really nothing.What impressed me is not the issue itself . What impresses me is the tenderness of his conscience, the teachability of his heart, I love the immediacy of his obedience and his desire to not let anything dilute a simple pure relationship with Jesus Christ.
You might say what did that gain him?? Well heaven knows and I know this. He raised 6 Godly Sons and Daughters and THAT is the legacy of this mans life.
It reminds me of a time when we, as a family, had become completely obssessed with everything that was THE LORD OF THE RINGS. We watched the movie, played the games, painted the figurines and collected everything from chess sets to statues to books, playing cards and stickers. We would share stories with anyone who would listen about the similarities of the bible to the Lord of The Rings, and share what Jesus was teaching us about our spiritual lives through the movie.
For those who remember our family at that time would confirm everything that I have said. My youngest twin boys, Benjamin and James when they were only 2 years of age, could repeat quotes from the movies. Their favourite game was getting a stick (turning it into a bow and arrow, with a tea towel tied around their shoulders as a cape) and pretending to either be Legolas killing the Orcs or Gandolf standing face to the face with the Barog as they would declare loudly.."YOU SHALL NOT PASS!! (they would even echo the words at the end.. You shall not pass....ass..asss! Hehe!!)
One night before going to bed, God clearly spoke to my heart . He showed me that we all loved The Lord of The Rings as much as we did him. It floored me to be completely honest, but once I put pride down, I could see it so clearly.
We had all become obsssessed and it was taking away our hearts from the Lord. We still had Jesus in our lives, but he wasnt in his rightful place. He wanted to be our only obssession .. the focus of our passions..our all in all.
Without hestitation the next morning , I explained what God had told me to my children . It was hard for them to completely understand, but they trusted me and that God had spoken to my heart. We built a huge bonfire and took several wheelbarrows down and poured every LOTR item into the fire.
I knew we had done the right thing unto God.. as we were all in tears.. it was breaking our hearts to be obedient as we watched all our treasured items burning. It was one of the hardest things we have ever done jointly as a family.
These items had truly taken up residence in our hearts and our broken hearts and tears were proof of the fact.
It took a few weeks to be completely free of the obsession... and I want to make it quite clear that there is nothing at all wrong with the Lord of The Rings. In fact we still love and have since purchased a few Lotr items.. but the obessession is completely gone now. We have things back in balance. It was a valuable lesson to learn as a family... never to put things before God as it is too painful to let them go at a later date hehe.
I am so grateful for what God taught us during that time. It is a beautiful story of our obedience and love toward Jesus and his love for us. He is such a gentle teacher as he woos us tenderly whispering.. "I want nothing to come between us and our love for each other. Nothing on earth can begin to compare or even satisfy.Trust in me .. as you put me first I will give you your hearts desire"
Looking back over the past 8 years I know that to be completely true.
This story will be shared with future generations as part of a legacy that we shall leave behind. For that I am forever grateful <3 a="" href="http://photobucket.com/images/lotr" target="_blank">
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