Oh My...

I have often heard in many Christian circles...shoot...I've even said it myself, "I am going through the wilderness period right now." Or, I am going through a "dry time" in my life or in my walk with the Lord...

Nevertheless, though that may genuinely be the case...it doesn't mean that what we are experiencing is from God.

I have lived most of my life in a "dry season." Dry as in not sensing the presence of the Holy Spirit. Dry as in not hearing the Lord's voice. Dry as in bored. Anyone relate to this?

"The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose...For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert.
The parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water..."
Isaiah 35:1,6,7 

I've come to learn over these past ten years, that...well...the wilderness is our own choosing. This has nothing to do with circumstances...I'm a testimony of that. In the past ten years, my immediate family has faced death, stage-four cancer, divorce, separation, miscarriage, a major move, job changes, and apostasy. Still, these have been the ten most joyous, happy, exhilarating, Spirit drenched years of my life! 

What is the difference? All Jesus, all the time. Making His Presence in my life priority and hearing from His written Word daily. Did this happen overnight...well...not counting the forty years prior...the answer is yes. One simple decision to not let anything deter me from "secret place" time with the Lord (Matthew 6:6, Psalm 91:1 NKJV).

What are you going through right now? Be encouraged by reading all of Psalm 35. Underline what speaks to you and meditate on HIS words to you from the Psalm. Facing fear? Try Psalm 91. Drink it in. Ask the Holy Spirit to let His streams flow fresh again in your parched and weary soul.

He will, you know. He never disappoints...you just have to take the time...and come.

photo: Hemingway & Hepburn

Knowing When To Quit

My husband loves to tell our church staff one of his favorite phrases from another pastor: “I love to STOP stuff!” In other words…know when it is time to “drop” something.

“Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich. 
Be wise enough to know when to quit.”
Proverbs 23:4 NLT

Solomon most definitely has a point. Though he is speaking to us through the millennia in regard to gaining wealth above all else in life, the principal applies to many other aspects of our journey in Jesus.

No…I am not giving license to quit your marriage or give up on your family members! I am talking about those business, ministry, shoot…even a kitchen remodel type endeavor…you fill in the blank…whatever it is that is just plan running you ragged, because He is not in it. It may be time to examine your heart, your motives, and what the real reason is you are wearing yourself for something that feels dry as a bone.

Yes. So much of the Scripture tells us to persevere, endure, and be steadfast. Nevertheless, there are times when the Holy Spirit is just trying to get through to us that enough is enough. I am SO grateful for His brakes on my life through the years. I've already wasted a lot of time leaving skid marks on the road because I wasn't willing to hear Him say, “It is time to stop this child, I don’t have this ______ in mind for you, at least not now.”

So. If this is for you…go to prayer. Wait for Him. Hear Him. If this doesn't speak to you currently, I’ll bet you know someone it does. Maybe it’s time to have a loving heart to heart and go to Him prayer together. Stopping is hard…but the new, open doors He brings are oh…so…delightful.

photo: Latte Art