Waiting Room

Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her by the Lord. Luke 1/45

And it came to pass....

Misty has been singing a new lyric lately...one of the many new songs the Lord is breathing forth....in this time of Spiritual Awakening.



"I'm here in the waiting room...of unanswered prayer
Still in the waiting room, I'm still in the waiting room...of unanswered prayer.

Keep on askin', keep on seekin', keep on believin',

Prayer... prayer... prayer... prayer's all I've got here
and time... time...time... seems to taunt me... sometimes it haunts me

I know You are God, and Your ways are wonderful
Oh God, and sometimes they're terrible

I'm still in the waiting room ,stuck in the waiting room
still here in the waiting room, of unanswered prayer.

You make all things beautiful ....just in time."

Recently I have felt prompted to 'remember how the Lord has led you'...kind of like the way Moses reminded the people of Israel of the Faithfulness of the Lord during their wilderness journey.

Looking back in my journals....is always a good thing for me...since I haven't seemed able to write for a long time.

Back in 2007, working in Lakefield....

And there I was moaning to the Lord about my living conditions. Will I ever be able to move out of this room and have my own place ???

Mourning the loss of my beloved pet Sam ...will I ever have another puppy to hold and pour my love upon ?? Will the pain ever ease ?

The longing in the heart of this woman to share life with someone....comes straight from the heart of God , who also longs for this.

God is essential ! He wants us to need Him desperately!

So in His love He leads us to the wilderness....

when I think about prayer, when I think about silence, I feel a great painful scream inside of me . Hear me scream Jesus, see my pain, my broken and contrite heart , meet me there, hold my heart, and understand. (Jan.08)

Kind of intense looking at it now....but maybe it was more real then, maybe I was raw, but at least I could write it down then.

So...Nancy...consider what God has done.... who can straighten what He has made crooked?

He changes times and seasons....you anoint my dying with your beauty and myrrh is my gift. The Fragrance of Christ on my life.

Last night gentle whispers reminded me...'who is here in your arms ?'
My puppy Zoey! Did I ever imagine I would ever have her ? No.

'Look around you ... you have your own place...did you ever imagine it ?'
No...not through the veil of my pain...no....but now ?

Actually when I really think on things past...I never thought I would ever have my very own car, never thought I would find freedom, never imagined my dream would come true of spending eight months of my life at the International House of Prayer and my destiny.

One day as my time there was drawing to a close...I was so sad to leave...there was a day in the prayer room, the Lord seemed to be sitting right beside me, and almost audibly spoke to me and said.

"Nancy, do you believe I am able to keep you ?"

Naturally I responded..'of course Lord I believe'....easy to say when there was money in the bank, and I was there in His Presence never wanting to leave.

So there has been a testing in the years since then....he has taken me through the fire, the rain, the pain, the trials, the refining....like the gold...whatever it takes to be one who carries Him everywhere I go.

Today, the season has changed ! The Winds of the Spirit are blowing with renewed hope empowering us with life and joy.



Even though I may still be in that waiting room of unanswered prayer for some issues I have been longing for I will surrender my heart and step into the swirl of the Wind and Fire.



Have your way Lord. Let my life be a Fragrance. The Fragrance of Christ as I give up my life....let it rise before You.

You're Still Smiling

While tuned into the Prayer Room yesterday, Tim Reimher was doing the noon set and as always the lyrics to a song struck my heart.

"After all of these years, after all of this time.
How can it be ?

That Someone like You would love someone like me.

You're still with me....You're still smiling....You're still smiling."

Just picture it....Jesus smiling at you, Jesus smiling at me....

I grew up in a troubled home, where I don't remember many smiles. Life was difficult for my parents especially my mother, and as an adult , I came to understand why her life was tough and why she seemed to take it out on us.
Since I was the first born, somehow I thought all the unhappiness was my fault.

I also seemed drawn into relationships with some people where smiling was withheld as a punishment. Maybe I was even drawn into not smiling as well.
I regret it if this was the result of learned behavior.

There is something wonderful that happens when someone smiles at us. There seems to be an acceptance, sometimes a loving, sometimes just a kindness, or a joy, but when someone smiles at me it's a blessing and causes an immediate response of returning the smile.

I have been caught up in the Spiritual Awakening happening with students and faculty at IHOP-U . Jesus is so present in the midst of the youth, healing, setting free, doing miracles delivering from all sorts of affliction. It's wonderful to see and be part of , even on the web stream.

Freedom....freedom...freedom ...is the declaration, over and over.

Last evening I had the image in my minds eye of The Father embracing the whole body present there and even experienced the feeling of being embraced by Love myself right here at my computer.

I can see Jesus smiling triumphantly as His children are set free and healed.
His smile is beautiful to behold, especially the victory in his face.

Sometimes we don't realize how deep our sadness goes, and how much we need Him to lift our chin to meet His gaze and see His smile of loving acceptance.

again and again and again and again !!

So...here are some smiles that I treasure..... others that I would like to post I am restrained.

Good Post

A Whole 'Nuther Kind of Alive

Posted on November 18, 2009 by randybohlender

I slipped in to the Student Awakening service tonight just in time to hear Laura Hackett tear into the sing-songy “I was made for / I was made for / I was made for / I was made for / I was made for / I was made for love”.

This lyric probably best exhibits the fact that some things do not make the transfer from music to prose, because reading it back it sounds rather dorky…but sung, at the top of one’s lungs, with 2000 other people who are singing at the top of their collective lung, it’s a different experience.

Across the room, they were bouncing. ‘Dancing’ is too kind of a word for most of what was happening, as it denotes a certain grace and panache. No, the joint was jumping in a pentecostal pogo the likes of which I’ve rarely seen. And why? Because the lyric pings the heart of anyone with an ear to hear it. It declares what we all pray is true – that we were made for something beyond ourselves.

There is a growing discontent with the hollowness of self gratification.

Read the rest here.

To enjoy what Jesus is doing go here.

He Understands

“God even knows how many hairs are on your head. So don’t be afraid.” Matthew 10:30-31

Why did Jesus grow weary in Samaria (John 4:6), disturbed in Nazareth (Mark 6:6), and angry in the Temple (John 2:15)?

Why was he sleepy in the boat on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:38), sad at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35), and hungry in the wilderness (Matt.4:2)?

Why? Why did he endure all these feelings? Because he knew you would feel them too.

He knew you would be weary, disturbed, and angry. He knew you’d be sleepy, grief-stricken, and hungry. He knew you’d face pain.

If not the pain of the body, the pain of the soul…pain too sharp for any drug.

He knew you’d face thirst. If not a thirst for water, at least a thirst for truth, and the truth we glean from the image of a thirsty Christ is—he understands.

And because he understands, we can come to him.

Max Lucado from He Chose the Nails

Simplicity

Tonight I have been pondering the wonder of the Gospel. The truth that the Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world, that I was found to be IN CHIRST , before...the foundation of the world....

I am standing astounded and in awe once again.

God....the Uncreated Transcendent God....sent His Son....

God...put on flesh...and walked among us.....What kind of God loves like this I wonder?

He knew we would reject Him....but still He was willing ....

What love is this I wonder ?

Standing at my window this evening I was thinking about Jesus as a man, walking among us. Walking down the dusty roads of Israel way back when.

God.... just walking down the road out there.

Walking down the pavement outside my building this night. I can imagine Him there.
I thought 'what if He came walking down Armour Road tonight?'

I can see it....I can see Him suddenly...standing down on the road .
He looks up at my window on the seventh floor and smiles a wonderful huge smile.

He waves up at me and gestures with His arm....
'Come On...Follow Me!'
I can't help but smile back and feel with all my being my response....I'll be right down !

I can feel the pull, the wonder of the joy of leaving everything and heading out into the future with Jesus. ( I imagine we would bring Zoey because He loves little dogs).
It's easy to hold the things of this world very lightly at times like this.

I am astounded over and over....

God...walking among us still...calling , inviting, full of joy at the prospect of the adventure ahead.

I am all in Jesus...lets go ! No wonder they followed Him !

There's been a 'shift' you see......

God Entered Time

They will sing about what the LORD has done, because the LORD’s glory is great.” Psalm 138:5

When God entered time and became a man, he who was boundless became bound…For more than three decades, his once limitless reach would be limited to the stretch of an arm, his speed checked to the pace of human feet.

I wonder, was he ever tempted to reclaim his boundlessness?…When the rain chilled his bones, was he tempted to change the weather? When the heat parched his lips, did he give thought to popping over to the Caribbean for some refreshment?

If ever he entertained such thoughts, he never gave into them…Not once did Christ use his supernatural powers for personal comfort.
With one word he could’ve transformed the hard earth into a soft bed, but he didn’t. With a wave of his hand, he could’ve boomeranged the spit of his accusers back into their faces, but he didn’t.
With an arch of his brow, he could’ve paralyzed the hand of the soldier as he braided the crown of thorns. But he didn’t.

Originally printed in
From He Chose the Nails
by Max Lucado

Sometimes it is just so amazing to stop and think about this whole Truth, that the God of Creation, Uncreated and Trancendant God of Love....set aside His Glory and entered time....just for us.

Reflections of IHOP

So Come...and sit with me awhile....a prayer room moment.

In the midst of all the prayer room activity, worship, adoration, supplication and declaration, and unseen figure sits alone veiled to human sight and awareness.

I perceive Him sitting praying to His Father. My heart is immediately drawn to this Man. He is clothed in a dark colored garment, with a soft hood covering His bowed head. He doesn't look at me, but somehow still, I feel His gaze beckon me to come and sit beside Him for a while.

As I look upon Him sitting solitary I sense a deep sadness surrounding Him. My heart responds with a quickening pulse and I hasten to His side. His heart draws me in and I am quieted with tender gratitude. He reaches out and takes my hand in His.

My heart surrenders as His love floods my soul. We sit quietly together in the house of prayer, while the worship team offer their devotion to His Throne. The songs are of the Lamb, songs of His Great Worth, songs of His Great Sacrifice.

As he holds my hand, he tenderly invites me to explore the wound I know is there. This is just one of the wounds Love knows. The hands that formed the galaxies and lovingly fashioned my heart, held fast to the cross of suffering and death. I am humbled as I think upon His restraint and submission.

Then I know it's my turn. Can I search your wounds dear one ? Oh no! My heart cringes. He knows . I long for His touch, even though my fingers are bent and twisted and I am so ashamed that I am not beautiful enough for Him.

I am dark, but lovely.... and it is with joy He whispers

Behold you are fair my love! Behold you are all fair! You have dove's eyes.

The King has brought me into His chambers and I am finally home where I belong.
(October 28, 2005)

Gone Too Soon

Come to Me

“Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Come to me…The invitation is to come to him. Why him?

He offers the invitation as a penniless rabbi in an oppressed nation. He has no political office, no connections with the authorities in Rome. He hasn’t written a best-seller or earned a diploma.

Yet, he dares to look into the leathery faces of farmers and tired faces of housewives and offer rest.
He looks into the disillusioned eyes of a preacher or two from Jerusalem. He gazes into the cynical stare of a banker and the hungry eyes of a bartender and makes this paradoxical promise:

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:29).

The people came.

They came out of the cul-de-sacs and office complexes of their day.

They brought him the burdens of their existence, and he gave them not religion, not doctrine, not systems, but rest.

“Come to Me”
By Max Lucado

My Prayer

Let the winds blow.....let the winds blow

Fling wide the door to my soul
Open up the door to my heart
Have Your way....have Your way.

I won't be afraid, I will face the wind
I won't be afraid, I will embrace the flame

Take me thru the fire, take me thru the rain
Take me thru the testing, I'll do anything

Test me, try me, prove me, refine me
Like the gold....

Fling wide the door to my soul
Open up the door to my heart
Have Your way.....

(Worship set Oct.18 6 pm. FCF Service: Misty )

Isaiah 42:1 - Fear not for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name
you are Mine

When you pass thru the waters;I will be with you
When you pass thru the rivers, they will not sweep over you

When you walk thru the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze

for I am the Lord your God....

Since you are precious and honored in my sight and because I love you
Do not be afraid, for I am with you.

More Worship

She who has been forgiven much....loves much.

MRI

The Sound of Music

Today I experienced musical theatre for the very first time. My son Jonathan took me to the Princess of Wales Theatre here in Toronto for the Sound of Music. It has been playing here for at least a year and is soon ending its run.













I was so impressed by everything from the superb vocal talent of all the cast, the orchestra and the music of Rogers and Hammerstein to the way the sets were so amazingly slid into place.

A wonderful day with my son was a lovely bonus. It was like magic.

I have always loved this story and when it made its debut with Julie Andrews in the movie , I was so very young I not only fell in love with Christopher Plummer but must have seen the movie at least ten times in 1965.

I guess I'm very romantic at heart and would most certainly take to the hills with some very handsome 'Captain' myself if given the opportunity.

Don't be afraid....take courage....I am here !

Just Can't Stop Worshipping !

Worship just seems to want to pour out of me these days and so I am compelled to share the moment with you.

God's Kids

I just love God's kids especially Cory Asbury. When the joy of the Lord hits him it makes my whole heart smile it's so contagious. No one else can love you / like I love you Lord/ I was made unique in Your heart/I was made to bring you joy!



Picture me right up there at the front dancing with joy with the rest of His kids.

Family Time

Naturally we had to visit the park named for Jasons' Grandpa Del and Anneka and Aila's Great Grandfather. I am sure he was smiling on from heaven.



This is a recent addition to the park in honor of fallen fire fighters from our city.




Back at the apartment Anneka spent time on the computer. Just like her mom....in many ways.



Zoe in the meantime seemed somewhat overwhelmed by all the company.



Bedtime was very fun for everyone as you can see.


Here is prayer time. Aila had a song of encouragement. Goes like this.

'My Lord is so Great, so Strong and so Mighty
There's nothing my Lord cannot do .(clap clap)

The mountains are His , the valleys are His
The birds in the sky are his too . (tweet tweet)

My Lord is so Great , so Strong and so Mighty,
There's nothing my Lord cannot do !



This morning breakfast at Smitty's . Pre-food activity included coloring.



A tearful departure...for Aila and Grandma.



Aila sang me another little song that I just have to mention. It is such good advice for all of us. The faith of little children. Makes me understand why God loves them so much.

God be in my mouth and the words that I am speaking
God be in my eyes and everything I see
God be in my hands and the actions that I am doing
God be in my heart to love my neighbors and my friends.