tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76162289848103585832024-02-02T10:44:17.047-07:00DoorKeeper MinistriesDoorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.comBlogger325125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-33231255934322873212018-03-02T16:20:00.001-07:002018-03-18T11:08:46.442-06:00The "Wireless" Power of God<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"Take delight in the </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">, and he will give you the<b> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">desire</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">s </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">of</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">your</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">heart</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">." </span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I saw the look of gritty frustration on John's face as he blew in the front door. I asked him what was wrong and he fumed, "The truck won't start!"</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"The truck" is an old 1981 Chevrolet pick-up we affectionately call "Ole Yeller." He's had it for years, and it's been like a faithful old friend to him. But since we've been married he's been trying to get it back into good running condition and that has been a slow, piece-meal process. Today was the day he hoped he could get Ole Yeller to pass emissions inspection, but when he went to leave, the old boy just squealed and sputtered and wouldn't even start.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I felt moved by the Spirit to go out there (while John was rummaging in the garage) and lay my hands on the truck to pray. I remember praying, "Lord, YOU know what this old truck means to John. You know it is the desire of his heart to have it working again, and Your Word tell us you love to grant the desires of the hearts of those who take delight in You. John takes delight in you every day, and so I'm asking for this small favor. Holy Spirit, YOU are all power! I believe YOUR power can start this truck and I believe that when I step inside it and turn the key, you will give the power it needs!" I believed it. I really did. And it started immediately! John came running out of the house, looking so amazed. "You did it!" he exclaimed. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"No, I didn't. The Lord God Almighty did."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">As he drove away I went out in the back yard to see how the internet/phone company was doing. We had new service installed because we could not keep good wireless signal with the old company. The technician had the same frustrated look on his face as John had had earlier. "I thought this was going to be a quick job, but I realize now it could take a couple of days. The source tap on the telephone pole is burned out completely and I can't get any signal to your house." </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I knew these events were spiritually tied. I went downstairs to my "prayer closet" and sought the Lord again. He spoke to me very clearly and I believe I am to share His words with all of you - because it is an on-time word. I heard the Spirit say:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>"You were right to appeal to Me to start the truck. You acknowledged that My power can do what the world cannot do. Now I am causing you to have a few days without technology. Without phone or internet, you will be "fasting" from the world, and you will have to depend upon Me instead of your computer. Draw close to me, child. Be glad for the quiet. Now you can tune into MY signal instead of your "wireless" signal. My signal is far more powerful! And the days are coming very soon when you may not have your signals and your technology and your running vehicles. What will you do then? Will you learn to trust me and rely on MY power and my direction? Learn now. Listen now. Practice trusting me, moment by moment, for what you really need. And just as you believed that I would start that truck -- always believe."</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-30585037053061929992018-02-19T08:22:00.000-07:002018-02-19T08:22:22.899-07:00Broken Down in Broken Arrow<i>"Our part is to cooperate with Him in focus, gaze and attention (Psalm 27), so that the pathway through the coming furnace (as in Matthew 24:21) becomes a delight rather than a trauma, because we see Yeshua right by our side." - Yoni Koski</i><br />
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Matthew 24:21 says, "For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now - and never to be equaled again."<br />
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The constant, continuing barrage of carnage and death in American schools, restaurants, concerts and night clubs truly does feel like great distress that is building in intensity. No wonder the Lord described it as birth pains, which continually increase in great pain and distress, until finally, the baby emerges and joy overtakes the pain.<br />
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A kingdom is being birthed! Our part is to cooperate with Yeshua in focus, gaze and attention so that as we move through the coming furnace of affliction, it will become a delight because we SEE HIM RIGHT BY OUR SIDE.<br />
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Before I begin this tale of our car breakdown, I want to be quick to say that I know this does not really qualify as a "furnace of affliction," or a great distress. However, it was indeed a challenging situation and I knew the Lord was using it to show us how faithfully and lovingly He would walk <u>right by our side</u> through every moment of this challenge.<br />
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We left home on February 9th for a three-week trip of ministry and visiting family. We were scheduled for a weekend of ministry with a congregation in Lucedale, Mississippi and then a 70th birthday party for John with all the generations of his family gathered in Alabama, followed by visits with my son and family in Pennsylvania and my sister in Illinois. However, we got as far as BROKEN ARROW, Oklahoma and our faithful old 2002 Yukon Denali breathed her last and died! <br />
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Driving through heavy traffic on the big Broken Arrow Expressway, I felt a sudden urgency that we should pull off onto an exit. I wondered why. John still had coffee, I didn't need to use the bathroom, and we hadn't been on the road long enough to trade drivers. What was the urgency? Yet, it continued, so I simply said, "John, would you pull off at the next exit?" He ignored me and drove right on past. The urgency intensified. "John, please would you pull off on this next exit?"<br />
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"Do you need a restroom?"<br />
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"No, but could we just exit off for a minute?" Again he did not respond and drove on past. Finally, as we approached the third exit, I guess he heard the pleading in my voice and he quickly made his way across several lanes and took the third exit. When we got to the top of the exit ramp, there was a loud, startling bang at the rear of the car and then it would not move forward or backward. John jumped out of the car, thinking we'd been hit from the rear, but that had not happened. The car behind us was several feet back, waiting for us to move. But by some amazing "coincidence," there was a large concrete pad, almost exactly the size of our long vehicle, just beside us, where we could pull over and get out of traffic. Single-handedly John began to push and steer this heavy, disabled vehicle over to the right, and I was in awe at his strength, concerned about his heart as he would have to strain so hard to move it. Later, I was filled with the certain knowledge that an angel had helped him, because this was really too difficult for one person to do! Yeshua was right beside us.<br />
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Once the car was pulled over, he realized it wasn't going to stay there, it was going to roll, and would not remain in park. I scrambled down the hill alongside us and found a large stone, about 25 pounds heavy, and brought it up to place in front of the tire, to keep the car in place. We called a tow truck and he towed us to the Chevy dealership that "just happened to be" only a mile and a half away. I pondered what could have happened to us had we not made an exit off that busy expressway. The car would have suddenly died in all that 75-mile-per hour traffic and.... well, you can imagine. Yeshua was right beside us! The Holy Spirit had guided us. Angels gave us strength and protected us.<br />
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As we rode in the tow truck cab, I suddenly panicked, realizing I did not have my cell phone. "Oh no! All my contacts! All my maps for the journey! My lifeline!" Delivering us safely to the Chevy dealer, the tow truck driver gently told me, "I have another call, but I'll take the time to go back to where you broke down and look for your phone."<br />
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Seriously? Have you ever seen a busy tow truck driver offer to go back and look for something you dropped? This one did, and in about ten minutes' time he returned from the place of our break-down and handed me my phone. Yeshua was right beside us.<br />
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After the mechanic looked at the car, we were told the repair would be around $3000. The car was worth $1500. I'm no rocket scientist, but that math did not add up for me! We needed another vehicle, and we needed it quickly, in order to get to all our appointed rounds. We don't finance anything and don't carry debt, so we told the "Previously Owned" car salesman our meager budget for a car, and he looked pretty dismayed. "We only have three vehicles in that price range and two of them are the same model." To make a long story a bit shorter, I'll just say that we took one of the three - a very nice 2012 Buick LaCrosse - and we bade goodbye to old "Dolly Denali," who had faithfully taken us SO many thousands of miles across this country in the service of the Lord. She had broken down in Broken Arrow and her wandering days were over.<br />
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Now came the biggest miracle of all - fitting the tremendous amount of STUFF from the big, roomy SUV into this sedan. Doubt pervaded my mind. No way! We had lots of hanging clothes, two suitcases plus the suitcase full of books and CDs, paper sacks full of our road munchies, a huge cooler full of lunch food and drinks, John's water filter, and a couple of very large emergency supply bins we always travel with. I was certain it would never fit - but the little car salesman was very motivated to make the sale! He scurried around like a squirrel burying nuts for the winter, and somehow, everything got tucked, folded or scrunched into a space. I was truly amazed. Yeshua was with us.<br />
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It was dark and we were tired, hungry, and behind our schedule now by a day. Where to spend the night? We drove two miles to where we saw all the usual hotel signs: LaQuinta, Marriott, Double Tree. Expensive! Way above our price range. John looked down the hill below and said, "Look at that building. Is that a hotel?" Exhausted, I replied, "I don't know, but we can go see."<br />
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It was an elegant facility known as the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center. We approached the reception desk and spoke to Benjamin. "Do you have a room available?" To my astonishment Benjamin said they had a standard king room and with my AAA discount the price was $80.00; less than a Super 8 in this area! I was grateful and handed him my credit card. While he checked us in, I shared with him the events of our day. Completing the check-in process, he handed me a key and whispered, "I gave you an upgrade. Enjoy."<br />
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Wearily, we lugged the suitcases up to the third floor and as we approached the room, I noticed it had a sign above the door that read "CABIN SUITE." We turned the key and my heart was simply flooded with the deep, abiding sense that Yeshua was not only right beside us, but making this pathway through the furnace a DELIGHT! It was the biggest hotel room I've ever seen in my life - decorated like a lovely cabin in the forest, with wood beam ceilings, paintings of bears and elk on the walls, a huge hot tub and an over-sized four-poster king bed. It felt like God was wrapping us in His huge arms with a loving hug, letting us know that in the midst of adversity He would not only be with us, but bless us.<br />
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Our part is to cooperate with Him in focus, gaze and attention. Psalm 27: 4-5: <i>One thing I ask of the LORD, this only do I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock."</i><br />
<br />Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-42902099345463077552018-01-21T12:58:00.000-07:002018-01-21T12:58:08.600-07:00In the Shadow of His Hand<span style="font-size: large;">Oswald Chambers: "<i>Whenever God gives a vision to a saint, He puts him in the shadow of His hand and the saint's duty is to be still and listen. There is a darkness which comes from excess of light and that is the time to LISTEN. Never try and help God fulfill His word."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wow. That timely word deeply spoke to me; perhaps it speaks also to you. I feel that I cannot see and I cannot hear right now in the spirit realm. I feel blind and deaf like a person groping in the dark. Yet I had not considered that it <i>is</i> dark in a shadow! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8l9ged3pSAhtsCifY9UlUrXM6cO12alaE61FLSjof-BfUyltNREcm_CWFRc0gHYqVCGRitIcbj0jJ-yE_g4NoA3m7rzGyq4TmkcGpx8_4vSBQVJexJM_X26NChcqj5UpQiEAgwixKe7O1/s1600/shelter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 91: "<i>He who dwells in the shelter of El Elyon (the Most High) will rest in the shadow of El Shaddai.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8l9ged3pSAhtsCifY9UlUrXM6cO12alaE61FLSjof-BfUyltNREcm_CWFRc0gHYqVCGRitIcbj0jJ-yE_g4NoA3m7rzGyq4TmkcGpx8_4vSBQVJexJM_X26NChcqj5UpQiEAgwixKe7O1/s1600/shelter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="195" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8l9ged3pSAhtsCifY9UlUrXM6cO12alaE61FLSjof-BfUyltNREcm_CWFRc0gHYqVCGRitIcbj0jJ-yE_g4NoA3m7rzGyq4TmkcGpx8_4vSBQVJexJM_X26NChcqj5UpQiEAgwixKe7O1/s400/shelter.jpg" width="301" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Is that why it has felt so dark in these past few months? Because I am in His shadow? God gave me a vision exactly a year ago; a vision for a new ministry He wanted to birth. Since then I've been looking at properties, trying to "feel my way in the dark." The vision seems stalled and the provision has not come forth. Perhaps I've been trying to help God fulfill his word! Is it really stalled on HIS timetable? His plan? His blueprint? No, it's me...trying to shorten the process I have to go through to be ready. Oswald Chambers went on: "<i>Abraham went through 13 years of silence, but in those years all self-sufficiency was destroyed." </i>No more helping God to get the job done! No more thinking that I know more about the fulfillment of this vision than He does!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What if I set aside all thought of this future vision and decided to be content and joyful in the present? What if I learned to accept the silence of this darkness as the shadow, the shelter of El Shaddai - the dark, quiet place of the womb where I wait for Him to bring birth?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You have me in the shadow of Your hand, Father and it is my duty to be still - and listen - and know that You are God.</span>Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-92052947561619602582018-01-07T10:05:00.000-07:002018-01-07T10:10:04.413-07:00Waiting, Watching, Trembling<span style="font-size: large;">On the last day of 2017 I sat before the LORD and asked Him to speak to me a Word about 2018. I waited a long while in the quiet, making sure my own mind was uncluttered and able to hear and receive what was on HIS mind. Eventually I heard the Spirit speak:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"WAR. Many wars will break out. You will see much death - but also great signs and wonders. These times will cause you to tremble with fear; but do not be afraid. Wear my Word like armor. Use the Sword (the Word) as your weapon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Israel, My beloved, My delight, will suffer. Pray! Pray and believe! My Word will be accomplished.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"The fall of the wicked is a foreshadow of the fall of governments. Chaos comes and unless one is in the Strong Tower of My Name, they will crumble.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Things will happen <i>suddenly</i> - and the changes will be almost too fast to follow. Not all will be as it seems. Seek Me. Seek My Word. It is Truth. The deceivers shall be <i>many</i> and you must pray for discernment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"The fall of the wicked, the greedy and the corrupt this year is written: 'Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high; to escape the clutches of ruin.' (Hab. 2:9) For the earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea! You (Lord) came out to deliver your people, to save your Anointed One. You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness, you stripped him from hand to foot!' (Hab. 2:14, 3:13)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was the end of the Word God gave to me and so I inscribed it in my journal and wrote below it, "Abba Father, my tiny frame stands at the window, my nose and fingers pressed against the glass, waiting, watching, trembling...."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is a time, as never before, when we must be a people who are watching and waiting on God, undistracte</span><span style="font-size: large;">d by the world and all its noise. He made it clear that His Word is our safe place. He will do battle, as we remain in Him. And this morning, January 7, 2018, He took me to these passages and asked me - and all of us, His people - to pray them earnestly in the days ahead, for this is a prayer for this hour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Isaiah 64:1-4</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before You! As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your Name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before You! For when You did awesome things that we did not expect, You came down and the mountains trembled before You. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Abba Father, our tiny frames stand at the window, our noses and fingers pressed against the glass, waiting, watching, trembling...."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-31824576519487703672018-01-01T09:31:00.003-07:002018-01-01T09:31:43.824-07:00Believe That You Have Received<span style="font-size: large;">Mark 11:24-25: <i>"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours. And when you stand praying if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This past weekend, as we all peered into the new year of 2018, the Lord God illustrated both of these verses for John and me in very powerful ways. I know it's important that I share and bear witness to what He did and what He has taught me, so that others will receive these words of Yeshua and understand them in the context of our own daily lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Saturday morning John's right leg was swollen and walking around was causing him great pain. Given his past heart attacks and known vascular issues, we both began suspecting a blood clot (Deep Vein Thrombosis). Knowing how serious this could be, I told him we needed to go to the Emergency Room. John refused and said, "No, let's pray." My husband's faith! It always emerges so strong in the face of adversity! I placed my hands upon the affected calf area and began to decree over the clot, that it was crushed, destroyed, loosed and demolished in the name of Yeshua! I spoke authority over it in His Name and commanded it to be destroyed by the power of His Blood. Then I spent the morning make tea for John, filled with tumeric, ginger and cayenne pepper, knowing that these good herbs open up the blood vessels. Within about two hours the swelling went down, pink color returned to feet and toes, and the pain completely left him! "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours." John believed and John received. Yet, I was reading a commentary on this verse and I think his caution is important: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #414042;">“We should not interpret verse 24 to mean</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #414042;">, ‘If you pray hard enough and </span><em style="background-color: white; border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; color: #414042; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">really believe</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #414042;">, God is obligated to answer your prayer no matter what you ask.’ That kind of faith is not faith in God; rather it is nothing but faith in faith, or faith in feelings.” (Wiersbe)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He makes a good point. Faith <b style="font-style: italic;">in God </b>means we trust God to give us what He knows is best for us. I am rejoicing that He answered John with complete healing and our part is to share the testimony!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Holy Spirit has been illustrating Verse 25 to me over the past few days regarding the story of my son. I just shared in another blog about our conversation where he asked me not to speak of my faith again, and SO many of you responded with similar stories! It is amazing how many of us are struggling with prodigal sons and daughters. What a blessing it is for us to share our pain and pray for one another! But the Spirit is teaching me something vital from this verse: "</span><i style="font-size: x-large;">And when you stand praying if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins." </i><span style="font-size: large;">Holy Spirit is speaking to me that this means we are never to place our "ministry" ahead of good relationships with people. As in Romans 12:18 <i>"If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." </i>And so, in response to this counsel, I have been reaching back in to my son instead of withdrawing from him (which is probably what he expected me to do). I have made the promise that, weather permitting, we will drive out to Pennsylvania next month to spend some time with him and his family over President's Day holiday weekend. That means we will be there for our seventh wedding anniversary. Delighted, he promised that he and his 11-year-old son would cook us an Italian dinner! He and his wife both called last week and we had positive, joyful conversations. In the midst of writing this blog, just now, he texted me, "Happy New Year, Mom!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is all as if the Lord is showing me that sometimes we must forego preaching and our righteous airs and keep meeting people right where they are, with that love that Yeshua must have shown when he ate with the tax collectors. Maybe the tax collector's wife made him a nice Italian dinner and maybe He smiled with gratitude and showed such a love that they came to really KNOW Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is not really new to me. I've reached out to this family for many, many years now. I spent an entire month there when my grandson was born, and did my best to fill the house with the fragrance of the Spirit and the deep love of the Lord. But I can't give up. You can't give up. When we stand praying, we must forgive them of their sins - and when we pray, we must believe that we have received it.</span><br />
<br />Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-1929143528474938502017-12-17T09:51:00.000-07:002017-12-17T09:51:34.850-07:00When Two or Three Are Gathered<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes we have absolutely no idea what God has planned, and how He puts his "teams" together. Yesterday was one such day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I drove to one of Denver's largest hospitals to spend the weekend with a dear sister in the Faith who is very ill with cancer. When I arrived the nursing staff filled me in on the latest report. It seems she was refusing all food and all water that morning, as well as any medications or treatments. I was quite surprised at this news. I had not realized the illness had been so aggressive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I entered her room I noticed the woman sitting near the window, saying not a word. I wondered who she was, but I wanted to focus on my friend, so I pulled a chair up next to her bed and tried to engage her. Her eyelids were fluttering rapidly and her teeth in a continual, rapid clicking. She was not responding or using any words. So, I opened my bible and began reading over her the healing words of Psalm 91 and Psalm 139. Then I began to sing and give God worship for her wonderful life. Slowly she began to respond. After a couple of hours, the clicking and fluttering ceased, the eyes engaged mine, but still no words spoken.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The woman at the window closed her eyes when I prayed and smiled when I sang. Finally, I went to the cup of water at my friend's bedside and put it to her lips. "This is living water," I told her, "and Yeshua wants you to drink. Drink and receive life!" She looked again into my eyes, this time with comprehension, and she drank deeply. My heart was filled with joy. Next I tried a little food - fresh, organic veggies, her favorite. She began to nibble on the food and then she began to eat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I continued in praise, both spoken and sung, to fill her room with the Word and with worship. Finally the woman at the window got up and helped my friend to use the bathroom and to take her vital signs. "I am Edna. I'm a CNA," she told me, "assigned to sit with her all day today and <i>keep her safe</i>." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"You are a believer, aren't you?" I smiled at her. "Oh yes, ma'am," she replied enthusiastically, "and I can see that today we are going to get to watch our God at work!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The rest of the afternoon we partnered, Edna and I, to "keep her safe." We sang old hymns together, and my friend began to sing them too, in a soft, hoarse voice. Then she began to giggle, so we all giggled together, in the joy of the Lord. A soothing bed bath was given and as the woman comforted my friend's body with her gentle touch, and warm soap and water, we kept singing, giving God glory. Then as she removed the covers from the hugely swollen, red legs, we both gasped. The swelling was down, almost to normal size legs! My friend began to move her leg for the first time that day and it was no longer painful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I stared at Edna. "You were assigned here today. I was assigned here today. We are two or more...and we are powerful unto the pulling down of strongholds and victorious in the Mighty Power of the Holy Spirit!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My friend's body had rejected the last three attempts at blood platelet transfusion. I mused about the pattern I was seeing. Food and water had been rejected, but was now being blessed into her body. What about the platelets? Could we bless those to her body too and cause her body to accept them? She had to have them to stay alive! So when the nurse arrived with the little bag of life-saving platelets, Edna and I began to pray, and my friend prayed in the Spirit, right alongside us. Now we were three, asking the Lord to bless these platelets to her body, that she would LIVE AND NOT DIE, that her blood would be restored! In less than an hour we got the news. God had answered. Her body received them. It was a glorious moment and my friend began to wave her arms around in a "happy dance," a huge smile across her face, victorious in her spirit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I won't soon forget yesterday. God had put together His chosen team to win a victory. He was right in the midst of us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Matthew 18:20: When two are three are gathered together in My Name, I am there in the midst of them.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now it is one week later since I wrote the words above. I did not want to publish this blog until I had my friend's permission and she has now granted it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">John and I visited her again yesterday, exactly one week later. The Sabbath was here again and my friend had called me in the morning, asking if we could come. I gathered together a little kosher Pomegranate wine, a small loaf of crusty bread, two tiny olive wood wine cups from Israel, and my Bible. When we entered her room I was overcome with joy and astonishment, my memory hearkening back to what I saw one week ago in this same room. I had know in my spirit that she was literally at death's door that morning, and she told me she had known it too. The fluttering eyelids and clicking teeth, the altered brain waves, the rejection of food and water -- all these things were signs that she was truly in the Valley of the Shadow of Death. But, my friends, the glorious news is that she passed THROUGH that valley (as the psalmist tells us) and was delivered by God's merciful hand!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, we celebrated yesterday. My friend had such joy in setting up her little hospital bedside table with the small decanter, the little olive wood cups, blue napkins to make a "tablecloth" and a few gold-wrapped coins someone had brought as a Hanukkah gift! We sang the sh'ma, we prayed the blessings over the bread and the cup, we prayed to bless our children and grandchildren, and then we gave God all the mighty praise He is due! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When our little service was over, my friend got really excited about just having a small celebration with what she had to offer from her little dorm-size refrigerator: hummus to spread on the bread, Kalamata olives, and slices of red pepper. I am certain that after four weeks in a hospital room, after countless transfusions and poking and prodding of her body, after untold nights of sleeplessness and finally, the darkness where death tried to take her, this little "party" seemed like a huge vault back into some sort of "normal," where she could set a lovely table and celebrate a special Shabbat with friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Again, my heart gives God deep thanks and praise, as He demonstrates for us once again, "</span><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When two are three are gathered together in My Name, I am there in the midst of them."</span></i></div>
Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-21143591157919302822017-12-13T11:18:00.000-07:002017-12-13T11:18:52.594-07:00On the 24th day of the Ninth Month<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Shalom, beloved friends! If you have been blessed by these messages this past year, please consider sending us your year-end donation. See the bottom of this blog for wonderful free offers that we will send back to you with each donation. We love you and praise God that you walk with us in this ministry!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Haggai 2:20-22: <i> The word of the LORD came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the [ninth] month: Tell Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, that I will shake the heavens and the earth. I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yesterday morning the LORD spoke to me in my prayer time and said, "I want you to study the book of Haggai with me this week." I read through the whole book and when I got to this last paragraph (above), my spirit was greatly quickened. These verses are a continuation from verse 18, where the prophet mentions the "twenty-fourth day of the ninth month." The ninth Hebrew month is Kislev, the month we are in right now. The 24th day was yesterday (Tuesday), the day the LORD asked me to study this prophecy. I never cease to be utterly amazed by God's perfect timing in all that He does and all that He shows us! He led me to a prophecy that was given ON THIS DAY in approximately 538 B.C.! Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah had returned from Babylon along with the remnant of about 50,000 Jews. In verses 10-18, on the twenty-fourth day of Kislev (the ninth month), Haggai is drawing upon priestly knowledge to tell the people that the LORD is able to bless their meager crops and offerings to make clean what is unclean through their re-building of the Temple.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, last evening was the first day of the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, and this feast recalls the cleansing of the Temple altar by the Maccabees after it was horribly desecrated by the edict of the evil ruler Antiochus Epiphanes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, you're saying, "Great, what does this have to do with me today?" It has everything to do with where we are today, in terms of Israel, Jerusalem, and also many of the "foreign kingdoms" spoken about in this prophecy! As we look through spiritual lenses, through the eyes of Haggai the prophet, we see that this prophecy was fulfilled on the 25th of Kislev in 165 B.C.E. by the Maccabees, who cleansed the temple and re-lit the lights of the menorah; and we also look ahead to 2017 when events seem to be fulfilling this prophecy a second time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">God says that on this day He will be shaking the heavens and the earth, and overturning royal thrones, shattering foreign kingdoms. Anything outside the borders of Israel is considered "the nations" or "foreign kingdoms." So, are we not seeing a day in which Saudi Arabia has arrested eleven of their princes and assassinated many of them? How about the nation of Lebanon, where the Prime Minister fled to Saudi Arabia and there offered his resignation from office? Do we not live in a "foreign kingdom" where the government offices are cleansed of evil and wickedness, and where even Hollywood celebrities, and high business and corporate officers are being exposed and arrested? God is even now overturning and overthrowing that which is "unclean" and opposed to HIS Kingdom!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And as if that were not enough to take my breath away, we have just witnessed the Proclamation going forth from this nation that Jerusalem is indeed the Eternal Capitol of Israel, which has sparked much discussion regarding the re-building of a third Temple in Jerusalem! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The LORD also speaks of shaking the heavens and the earth, and on this same day in 2017, there were two significant earthquakes in the Middle East, centered in Iran, arguably the most fierce of all Israel's enemies. As God is shaking and overturning wickedness and shattering the power of foreign nations, He is also preparing us for the war that is very soon to come - <i>"horses and riders will fall, each by the sword of their brother."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We see these prophecies being fulfilled before our eyes and we are astonished; but we do not fear. Hanukkah is the season of cleansing, but it is also the season of LIGHT. The Jews have passed on the story from generation to generation, how the menorah in the Temple was lit with just enough oil for one night, but it kept burning and did not go out! That is a picture of Yeshua. He is the lampstand, the Light of the world. His light never goes out! He said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How gloriously the LORD led me to these passages in Haggai, where He showed me events coming to pass, even in this week of Hanukkah, thousands of years after the prophet spoke it. Let us be FILLED with the light of Yeshua/Jesus, in this season of light, and let our hearts - the temple of the Holy Spirit - be cleansed and made ready for His soon return!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shalom and blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kelly</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">On a personal note: We at Doorkeeper Ministries are involved in much work of visitation and prayer over the elderly, the sick and those who are getting ready to go home. We are seeing many miracles in these days! We are also planning ministry trips for 2018 and we expect this will be a year in which our God moves very powerfully.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><u>If you have been blessed by these little blogs all year</u>, and you can help us with an end-time donation, please go to our website and click here</span></b>: <a href="http://www.doorkeeperministries.com/donate.html">http://www.doorkeeperministries.com/donate.html</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Special December offer for all those who donate before the end of the year!!</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>For every donation of $25 we will send you Kelly's Simple Songs of Scripture music CD free</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>For every donation of $50 we will send you two music CDs - Simple Songs of Scripture and Covenant with Israel</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>For every donation of $100 or more we will send you both CDs plus Kelly's book Chronicles of a Kingdom Courtship, the story of Kelly and John's courtship and wedding according to God's Way</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>And don't forget you can also support this ministry by partnering with us on a monthly basis, or by ordering Kelly's songs in mp3 format! MP3s are found here:</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><a href="http://www.doorkeeperministries.com/mp3-music.html">http://www.doorkeeperministries.com/mp3-music.html</a></i></b></span>Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-7218391565184947212017-12-04T09:21:00.001-07:002017-12-04T09:21:36.090-07:00I Did Not Come to Bring Peace, But a Sword<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Matthew 10:34-36 and Micah 7:6</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man's enemies will be the members of his own household.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've read these verses all my life and wondered what they could mean. How could Jesus have even spoken these words? Isn't He all about unity and family?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally I have had to accept that His words are true for <i>me. </i>I always imagined it would be other families, perhaps those of other cultures, who experienced this great division and pain. But now I realize these words were written for a time of the future - and the time is here. Our abiding faith in Yeshua (Jesus), the Messiah and Savior of our souls, is a sword dividing families. Even the nation we live in now appears to be overcome by the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the 41st birthday of my oldest child I was greatly moved to write him a letter and send him a book, my heart filled with hope that I could somehow finally reach him so that I would not have to face living in eternal life without him. I've witnessed often to him and his children and they have nodded with disinterested hearts, moving the conversation quickly to something else. But his birthday this year fell on Yom Kippur and I knew I would be in Israel that day, interceding for him with all my heart and soul. So I wrote words that sprang from my inner-most being, filled and anointed by the Spirit, and sent with a hope-filled heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Thanksgiving Day we finally talked, and he finally drew the line and plainly instructed me not to speak of my faith anymore to him and his family. He let me know in no uncertain terms that he does not need or want a God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For a day I wept. Tears just wouldn't stop. But finally I got my journal and sat with Abba Father and asked Him to speak something to me to help me move on, despite this pain. I have decided I needed to write this to all of you, because I am pretty sure I'm not the only one needing this word God gave me:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>1 John 4:5-6</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world and the world listens to them. We are from God and whoever knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we know the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of falsehood.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I raised this child of mine in the Truth. But he has made a decision in the spirit of falsehood - so right now he cannot hear me. But perhaps that is <i>right now. Perhaps it isn't the end of the story.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Micah 7:7-8</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD. I wait for God my Savior. My God will hear me.</i></span><br />
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<br />Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-44419013981764792882017-11-28T13:47:00.001-07:002017-11-28T13:47:16.045-07:00The Conclusion of the Matter<span style="font-size: large;">I am re-posting a word I received a few years back, at the instruction of Holy Spirit. I pray that it speaks to you again today, as it did to me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">4 </span></sup><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">when the doors
to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; <br />
<sup>5 </sup>when men are afraid of heights and of terror in the streets;<br />
when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home , and mourners go about the streets. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">6 </span></sup><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;">Remember
him—before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well,<br />
<sup>7 </sup>and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit
returns to God who gave it. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Clearly the Teacher who wrote these verses
(Solomon) is prophesying about a time at the end of the age, when there is
terror in the streets, when food is scarce, and not even water can be found at
the springs. He sees a time when the earth is returning to dust and gold
and silver can no longer "save" us. In those days the doors are
closed, and I thought of the passage in Isaiah 26, when God's people are told
to "go into your rooms, close the doors, and hide yourselves for a little
while" as God's wrath passes over. Yet even in the midst of these
dark and gloomy verses, the phrase "when the almond tree blossoms"
bursts forth in surprising, unexpected delight! The almond tree is
usually symbolic for Yahovah's authority and sovereignty, just as Aaron's staff
that budded with almond blossoms, right in the midst of Israel's slavery in
Egypt!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I am still here on the Throne,"
our Elohim is saying, "and you must not be in fear in these days, but you
must be doing what I have called you to do." <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Tell me more, then, Father.
What have you called me to do?" He summed it up in verse 13:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">13 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Now all has been
heard;<br />
here is the conclusion of the matter:<br />
Fear God and keep his commandments, <br />
for this is the whole duty of man. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Will the stock market crash again? Undoubtedly.
The golden bowl will be broken, the sound of grinding will cease, and the sun
and moon will turn to darkness. But the Light of our God will burn ever
brighter, and the sons of God - those who have held to the testimony of Yeshua
and kept His commandments - will shine ever brighter. In fact, as we are
told in Daniel 12:3, <i>Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of
the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness shall shine like the
stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the
book until the time of the end..."</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-78682658152801060262017-11-16T08:57:00.001-07:002017-11-16T08:57:59.669-07:00Utterly UnnoticeableFollowing Bible study, we enjoyed lunch with a 92-year-old resident of the retirement home. He said, "I've heard about you guys. What denomination are you?" <br />
<br />
Especially in his generation the label was important. It defined a person. "Are you a tongues-talking Pentecostal or a Bible-thumping Baptist, or are you a Lutheran or Episcopalian who doesn't utter such things? What are you? I need to put you in one of my boxes." That's really what he was asking.<br />
<br />
I smiled and gently responded, "We are not in a denomination. We are followers of Jesus Christ, the Savior." The 92-year-old brain, still keenly functioning, stopped to process my answer. Then he nodded, as if he accepted it, and it would be okay if we still had conversation!<br />
<br />
I'm glad I don't have a label anymore. I don't judge those who do - we are all on this journey with the Master, and many of us have worn lots of labels as we grew and took new steps. Every step was and is important as we follow our Messiah and the ultimate goal for us all is to become like Him.<br />
<br />
There is another step, though, that we all must take. We need to stop measuring our "success" in the journey by what we DO. Sometimes I think believers get trapped by the mentality of the "scouting syndrome." Were you a girl scout or a boy scout? The goal was always to get another badge! I was a Brownie Scout and then I graduated into Girl Scouts, and I can remember <i>striving </i>to have more badges on my sash than anybody else in my troop! We are so trained to climb the ladder of success and prove ourselves.<br />
<br />
But Oswald Chambers writes, <i>"If you are rightly devoted to the Lord Jesus, you have reached the sublime height where no one ever thinks of noticing YOU; all that is noticed is the power of God coming through you all the time. It takes God's Spirit in us to make us so absolutely humanly His that we are utterly unnoticeable."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
After reading that devotion this morning, I sat with my Lord and we had a very short conversation. I heard Him say to me, "You told the man you are My follower. How do you do that?"<br />
<br />
"I love you, Lord," I replied.<br />
<br />
"How do you love Me?"<br />
<br />
"I keep your commandments."<br />
<br />
"How do you keep them?"<br />
<br />
"By loving others."<br />
<br />
I think He nodded - just as the 92-year-old man nodded - and I become more and more aware of the simplicity and the gentle joy of serving the Master.<br />
<br />
<br />Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-51853248614102271002017-11-06T07:56:00.000-07:002017-11-06T07:57:29.570-07:00An In-breaking of Light and JusticeUp all night. Sleep would not come. The images of twenty-seven people worshiping God in their small, quiet country church, suddenly gunned down in a Satanic blood bath, would not leave me. Grandmas and toddlers. Moms and dads. Utterly innocent folks, utterly unexplainable.<br />
<br />
As I sat pondering this horrific event in sleepy Sutherland Springs, Texas, an e-mail popped up from a childhood friend of mine who lives very near there. We were neighbors in Missouri in the 1950s, little girl playmates in an innocent, gentle era. Our favorite thing to do together was to wrap white sheets around us to make "princess gowns," with plastic tiaras on our heads and home-made magic wands in our hands. She was the child of Arab immigrants, whose grandmother called herself a Palestinian. Our parents were best friends. Now I am closely bonded with the Jewish people of Israel, and so our lives have taken turns that should have pitted against one another. But our joyful childhood memories are too strong to let that happen. We wrote to one another this morning, both of us affected by the devastation of this tragedy in a small town in Texas, and we agreed that if we could wave our magic wands over Israel and America, our wands would immerse people in Love - the pure, unadulterated, unwavering Love of God.<br />
<br />
Although it truly does appear that the time of Satan's fury upon this earth has come, there is also an in-breaking of light and justice in this nation. God is finally exposing the wretched corruption of Washington and Hollywood alike.<br />
<br />
Mark 4:22: <i>For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought into the open.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
God is doing what is meant to be! Lies, deceit, wicked plans and deceptions are coming out of the shadows everywhere and perhaps an hour of reckoning and justice is upon us.<br />
<br />
A prophetic word this week from my dear sister Phyllis Ford confirmed this, and I am printing an excerpt from it below. You can view the word in its entirety if you wish at this link: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/phyllisfordministries/">https://www.facebook.com/phyllisfordministries/</a><br />
<br />
"<i>I AM moving in this time to release My righteous judgments in the land and deal with those who have been smug and arrogant with their own power. Their influence will be humbled by My Mighty Hand. The hands of the unrighteous and their works have been weighed in the balances and found wanting. I have a redemptive purpose and the restoration of My people will carry a major part of My plan. I will bring down the high tree and exalt the low tree and I will uncover all things. My word will be the last word," says the LORD. "I will remove these evil foundations and I will destroy that which does not represent My plan. Know that there are plans of war, plans of upheaval and plans of betrayal; but there are also plans of standing for that which is holy and that which is right. So wait before Me and allow Me to strengthen you for the journey ahead and enlighten you concerning the serious things that are to come."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Father, we wait before You. We need your strengthening and Your enlightening. Bring into the light whatever is hidden and concealed. Make us to carry a part of Your plan in standing for that which is Holy and that which is right! Give us deeper discernment in this hour. Lead us - not into temptation - but deliver us from evil.<br />
<br />
FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY - FOREVER AND EVER! AMEN<br />
<br />
<br />Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-38465734500521816292017-10-21T15:42:00.000-06:002017-10-21T15:42:38.947-06:00Who Are the 144,000?Today I have remained very deep in the study of five small verses in Revelation Chapter 14. The subject is the 144,000. It has remained one of the biggest mysteries in this awesome end-time vision of the Apostle John. I have struggled for many years with these verses, wondering, "Who<i> are </i>these pure, holy young men, where do they come from and above all, <b>what <i>is</i> their purpose?"</b><br />
<br />
Today I received revelation from the Holy Spirit, and I know this because my face is stained with the abundance of tears that came when He showed me the answers. Maybe some of you saw all this a long time ago - I do realize that it was written right there in plain sight - but today is the first day I have had such profound, anointed understanding.<br />
<br />
<span class="text Rev-14-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Revelation 14:1-5</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text Rev-14-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30928A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30928A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> standing on Mount Zion,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30928B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30928B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and with him 144,000<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30928C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30928C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> who had his name and his Father’s name<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30928D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30928D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> written on their foreheads.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30928E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30928E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Rev-14-2" id="en-NIV-30929" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30929F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30929F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and like a loud peal of thunder.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30929G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30929G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30929H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30929H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Rev-14-3" id="en-NIV-30930" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>And they sang a new song<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30930I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30930I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> before the throne and before the four living creatures<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30930J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30930J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and the elders.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30930K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30930K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> No one could learn the song except the 144,000<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30930L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30930L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> who had been redeemed from the earth.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Rev-14-4" id="en-NIV-30931" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30931M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30931M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> They follow the Lamb wherever he goes.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30931N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30931N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> They were purchased from among mankind<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30931O" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30931O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and offered as firstfruits<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30931P" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30931P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> to God and the Lamb.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Rev-14-5" id="en-NIV-30932" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>No lie was found in their mouths;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30932Q" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30932Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> they are blameless.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text Rev-14-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">The first thing that blew me away was this: these 144,000 have TWO names written on their foreheads - not just one! The name YHVH (Yehovah) is written there, but also the name YESHUA. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">It appears to me to be a "double blessing." I don't remember any other place in Scripture where anyone is marked with BOTH the names of the Father and the Son. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lHy4_CT7EXUx4LhyphenhyphenDIsfk0hP_4TsgJfGCcbRn3DiZ67FvbRpJYfvDoT3TPf2a7BuBDRuTnRUH8zy5RYHJVtSIRkR2QO82Dm3EbmnXtDnad0XM0cAXLJiecGY05PY-243uNN161Xyvt3X/s1600/144000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lHy4_CT7EXUx4LhyphenhyphenDIsfk0hP_4TsgJfGCcbRn3DiZ67FvbRpJYfvDoT3TPf2a7BuBDRuTnRUH8zy5RYHJVtSIRkR2QO82Dm3EbmnXtDnad0XM0cAXLJiecGY05PY-243uNN161Xyvt3X/s1600/144000.jpg" /></a><span style="background-color: white;">These 144,000 young men are playing harps and they sang a "new song" before the four living creatures and the elders. In order to be before these heavenly beings, they have to be in the Heavenly Throne Room. And they are there <i>before </i>the rest of the saints are gathered (or "raptured.") They are the only ones who can learn this song. That means you can't learn it and neither can I. Why? Let's look into the answer for that question, which leads us <b>to discover their true purpose.</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">I have listened to many teachers say that these 144,000 men are "last-days evangelists" to go throughout the earth preaching the Gospel. It doesn't say that in the Bible! The verses that follow in Chapter 14 do speak about an angel "flying in mid-air, who had the eternal gospel to proclaim to all who live on the earth." But that is the job of this specific angel, not of the 144,000! So what is their purpose and why have they been given this honor to be in person with the Lamb (Yeshua) in the heavenly Jerusalem before any of the rest of us who are still alive and believe in Him?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">As the Spirit showed me, I just couldn't contain my tears. These young men are <i>blameless. </i>They are virgins. They have never lied. They follow the Lamb (Yeshua) wherever He goes. This tells me that from a very young age they have been set apart to Him, wholly surrendered, keeping His commandments and doing whatever He called them to do, in perfect obedience.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">There are 12,000 of them from every tribe on earth. I believe this is a literal number, not a symbolic one. So this tells me that there are 12,000 from each of the original 12 tribes, who are probably gathered from all the nations where they were scattered over the ages. Perhaps they were touched by the Ruach (Holy Spirit) at a very young age, chosen by God and marked for this very purpose. Maybe they even grew up in families that were not walking with God, and yet He touched them and kept them pure. I know of two families right now in my own circles who have little boys who believe deeply in Jesus, but whose parents do not! It <i>is</i> possible for the Ruach to continue to fan the flames in these young boys' spirits and cause them to be overcomers even if they are surrounded by unbelief.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">Then we are told that these 144,000 holy young men were "purchased from mankind and offered as firstfruits to God." Yes, it has always been written right there - but I didn't get it. Not until today. Today, through my tears, I caught the vision! These 144,000 have <b>one single purpose and that is to go before you and before me, to stand in the Heavenly Throne Room as firstfruits offerings from all mankind on the earth.</b> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">2 Cor. 15:20 tells us, </span><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">But Messiah has indeed been raised<b> </b></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">from</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">the</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">dead</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">, </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">the </b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">firstfruits</b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">of those who have fallen asleep.</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></i>
<span style="background-color: white;">Messiah Yeshua was indeed the firstfruits offering from those who have "fallen asleep," or died. He perfectly fulfilled the Feast of Firstfruits, being resurrected from the dead and entering Heaven three days after His death on the stake. But these 144,000 - are they not then the firstfruits from the <i>living?</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">They stand with Yeshua on the mountain in Jerusalem playing their harps and singing this wondrous <i>new</i> song, as they are offered to Him as a firstfruits offering of those still upon the earth awaiting their deliverance. As a reward for their pure, undefiled lives, they are offered on our behalf - because we are<i> not</i> undefiled! They sing and play to worship the King; but their worship is offered for all of us who cannot yet learn the song.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">What a glorious purpose they have! It was written there all along, but many of us tried so hard to give them some other mission. "Surely they must be the earth's final evangelists," we thought. "Surely they will lead the military procession into Armaggedon!" No, I don't see any of that written. I see a higher purpose, a more beautiful expression of the fulfillment of the LORD's feast days. I think it is highly likely that these 144,000 men will be sealed on Mount Zion on the Feast of Shavu'ot (Pentecost). Just as the two "fine flour"</span><span style="background-color: white;"> loaves were waved before the LORD as the firstfruits offering in Leviticus 23:16-17, so these 144,000 fine men are "waved" before the LORD on Mount Zion and sealed with His Name and the Name of His Son, and offered as firstfruits to them <i>both</i>.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">I am a worship leader. I used to read Revelation 14 and wish so much that I could know this song that they sing. But today I simply bow before Messiah and offer my gratitude that the song will be offered up on my behalf - as another gesture of His amazing grace!</span>Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-83014658075262441032017-10-17T09:00:00.001-06:002017-10-17T09:00:41.503-06:00Keep Listening!It has been close to ten years now that I've been teaching bible studies at our local retirement home. I've often written of the precious people God has placed in our study, many of them in their 80s and 90s, and how God has continued to show us that this little ministry matters to Him.<br />
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This past week two of our very dear friends in our study - one age 74 and one age 81 - went to be with the Lord. It is so hard to lose those you've grown so close to, and especially those you have journeyed with in the pages of the Word of God!<br />
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We held a little memorial service for one of them yesterday so that other residents could come. I was stunned to hear these old voices raised in such a chorus of harmonies as together we sang "Blessed Assurance" and "Because He Lives" and "Amazing Grace"! But the best part was when I asked if they wanted to share about their memories with Jim (the deceased). It was then that I remembered the greatest gift I could give. Not playing the piano, or singing, or preaching or organizing or leading the prayers. No...the greatest gift is <i>listening</i>. I was so deeply blessed listening to them share their stories about their friend, all the memories they had of him, and all the ways he had graced and blessed their different lives. They seemed so very happy to have a place where they could tell the stories and someone would<i> listen.</i><br />
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I know this was the one gift that meant the most to them because so many of them stayed afterward to tell me so, and people lingered, as if not wanting to leave this place where memories mattered and stories lived on.<br />
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I think it's something we need to be reminded of - and so I'm reaching out to each of you, at the unction of the Holy Spirit - to tell you that <i>the very small times you have spent with others, just listening, has truly mattered to God</i>. From pastors and shepherds to neighbors and every-day folks, you may feel weary and battered from all the times you've tried to be there for people, but it seemed as if you accomplished nothing, or you felt you didn't have the resources or the right words to help. Know that you didn't need resources or right words. Know that your gift was simply being there and caring and<i> listening. </i>It made a difference - far greater than you know in this life.Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-60350707571409029652017-10-15T08:57:00.002-06:002017-10-15T08:57:21.615-06:00Remain in Seclusion<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Shalom everyone,</span><br />
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We are back to Colorado. I cannot utter the words "we are home," because we just left our true home! The transition is difficult. From walking the ancient paths of Israel to modern life in America is like some vast time warp, and my mind and emotions struggle to readjust. I watch the news reports of the vicious fires in California and see the unbelievable photos of entire neighborhoods melted by heat and I am astonished at the complete devastation.</div>
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This morning God has me reading in the book of Hosea and I stopped as He quickened this one verse to me: <b><i>"Then I told her, 'you are to remain in seclusion for a long time and be mine.'" Hosea 3:3. </i></b> Hosea the prophet has had to suffer the pain of a wife who betrays her husband and prostitutes herself with other men. God has asked Hosea to endure this as a parable to His own relationship with unfaithful Israel. In this part of the story, Hosea goes to find his wife and he literally buys her back for himself with silver and barley - and then gives her this instruction: "You are to remain in seclusion for a long time and be mine."</div>
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I heard Yah's voice speaking to ME when I read this verse - and I felt He instructed me to send it on to you also. It is His loving instruction for each of us during these days of fiery trials. If we take time each and every day to get into seclusion with HIM, to hear Him, to<i> <b>know</b></i> Him - we will be HIS, marked with His Name, sheltered in His strong tower.</div>
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Let us leave whatever activity has been separating us from time with HIM and remain in seclusion.</div>
Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-72335587557189746362017-10-09T09:32:00.002-06:002017-10-09T09:35:55.788-06:00It's About the PeopleI need to go back one day in my journal, as I skipped over <b><u>September 26.</u></b> I should not have skipped it; it represents a big part of the reason why God calls us to Israel. On our last trip here in 2014 we had the great privilege of meeting and coming to love some of the young Jewish families in the Shomron (formerly Samaria), who have settled on these mountains of Ephraim and have bravely put their hearts and their hands to work to build homes, raise livestock, plant olive trees and add more families to their community. We returned to one of these small villages and once more enjoyed a wonderful lunch of Israeli salads with salmon and their delicious fried Haloumi cheese. This little cafe sits atop a steep mountain with a breathtaking overlook of the Jordan Valley below, and we sipped warm cups of coffee while enjoying this view of Israel that the tourists never see. One precious woman in this village has established her skin care shop where she makes her own marvelous face creams and essential oils and Rosemary and I were so blessed to support her with a little shopping and a lot of conversation that hopefully encouraged and lifted her up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0eXfKDVbu_p3xmzu9lkOwDpm1uRMJinY8F7Maypp1yl2y_PSaPwdqz8Vx5e5pfGDNUbyP1X4yFxR2_CwFvBuBtxuPHrPpDttLOv1wcNA1xrvEZ6uUJYqBBXq6UlQDVkY-svENjF5rZS3/s1600/20170927_112816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0eXfKDVbu_p3xmzu9lkOwDpm1uRMJinY8F7Maypp1yl2y_PSaPwdqz8Vx5e5pfGDNUbyP1X4yFxR2_CwFvBuBtxuPHrPpDttLOv1wcNA1xrvEZ6uUJYqBBXq6UlQDVkY-svENjF5rZS3/s320/20170927_112816.jpg" width="320" /></a>From there we drove on into Tiberius where we stayed with Avigail - a very special divine appointment. As it turns out, Avigail has been a reader of this blog for many years, but I had never met her nor even e-mailed with her! Now it was Yah's perfect time to connect us and we were blessed beyond measure to stay two nights in her incredible home right on the shores of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). She is an American who has been in Israel 26 years, laboring in the harvest fields here and touching so many Jewish lives in the process. There was a little twinge of pain deep in my heart that I did not continue to find a way to stay in Israel since my 2005 experience; but I pray that I've still found a way to follow God's plan for me. There is just such a STRONG connection I have with Israel and on this trip He revealed to me once again - in even stronger terms - that the connection is not about the Land, but about the <i>people</i>. It is the <i>people </i>we are here to pray for, and the <i>people</i> who found their way deep into our hearts! In fact, on the way to Tiberius we had trouble finding a place to stop for lunch on Highway 90, but eventually saw signs for gasoline and a pizza place. The sign read "A BETTER PLACE." What a great name!<br />
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We went inside to look at the menu and the owner, whose name was Chaim, greeted us with such cheer. "I have the very best pizza in all of Israel!" he proudly boasted. We told him we'd come all the way from America to try his pizza and you could see the sheer delight on his face. In truth, it was some of the best pizza I've ever had and I'm not sure why - unless it was the delicious cheese and fresh, pure Israeli olive oil! Chaim visited with us between pizzas and deliveries and once again we saw the hard work and courage of these Jews who have settled on the so-called "West Bank," and made their own land their home, no matter how hard it might be, no matter what threats they may face from all the nearby Palestinian towns.<br />
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<b><u>September 28</u></b><br />
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Hugs with Avigail and promises to meet again, and we were on our way across the country to Haifa, on the west coast. On the way we kept our appointment with the prayer portal on top of Mt. Tabor. It's a good thing John is an experienced Colorado driver! A road has been carved out of this extremely steep mountain, with continual hairpin switchbacks. No tourist busses or even cars normally make this ascent - but we did - and we met countless shuttles coming down this tiny narrow road while we were going up, making the drive a tremendous challenge! This is the mountain generally accepted and widely taught to be the place of Yeshua's transfiguration. Once we reached the top and then walked until the Spirit told us, "stop and pray here," we looked down at the incredibly difficult climb it would be on foot and marveled that Yeshua, Peter, James and John could make such a climb! So we opened our bibles to all four gospel accounts looking for one that specifically mentions Mount Tabor in the story of the transfiguration. It's not there! We realized that all four of us and countless others have accepted Mt. Tabor as the location of this incredible, supernatural event, where Moses and Elijah appeared and Yeshua was utterly transformed into the radiant fullness of His kingdom glory. But the gospel accounts do not give a location. So we began to pray over all Israel, with a view that stretched almost across the country from east to west. We prayed over the Jezreel valley below, and we again sang "Baruch haba b'shem Adonai" (Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord) as we have sung in almost all the portals, calling Yeshua to return. Then we were in silence and listened to what the Spirit might have to show us, and here is what we clearly heard: "The location of the transfiguration is not in the Scriptures because it does not matter where it happened. It only matters <i>that</i> it happened. It <i> was </i>a powerful and glorious glimpse of Yeshua's future reign over all Israel - and over all nations <i>from</i> Israel. It was surely a heavenly conversation between Him and Moses and Elijah, concerning these things that are still to come. And just as Elijah shut up the sky and held back the rain while he was on the earth (Luke 4:25), surely he will do it again as one of the two witnesses in Revelation 11:6. Similarly, Moses once turned the river into blood (Exodus 7:20) and I felt the Lord was confirming for me that he would certainly be the other witness of Revelation 11:6. Perhaps they even received this assignment in that heavenly conversation!<br />
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<b><u>September 29</u></b><br />
We had checked into the Beit Yedidia Guesthouse in Haifa, where we would spend the next six nights. Once again, it was about the people. The first person we met was a young man pushing a double baby stroller with two very tiny toddler boys and another two boys alongisde. The daddy looked disheveled and worn out. As we entered into conversation we learned that he and his wife had been in Israel a year, hoping to make aliyah and stay there. He is an American who learned that he is of Jewish descent - but when the Ministry of Interior in Israel learned that they are believers in Yeshua, they blocked any opportunity for them to have citizenship. In fact, we learned on this trip that quite a number of Jews who have become citizens in Israel and lived there for years, are having their citizenship revoked because they are believers. The enemy is in a last-ditch effort to remove every trace of belief in Jesus from the land of Israel! We ask your prayers for these people and a huge change of hearts for those in the Israeli government.<br />
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This young family had been granted asylum at Beit Yedidia, and we saw that this guest house truly had a ministry to help those in this type of homeless situation. We were able to give both the young family and the guest house good donations to help. The couple has four boys under the age of five, and we had the great joy of seeing them often in the house while we were there, sometimes sharing groceries and often just playing with the boys to give the parents a break! They are headed back to the U.S. now, where they have jobs in Pennsylvania. Please pray for them as they make the transition and deal with the persecution and disappointments they experienced in the Land.<br />
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As Friday evening, and the High Sabbath of Yom Kippur began, there was a glorious sunset - a tremendous burst of light at our Haifa window - and then the continual roar of a lion that lives in the zoo right behind us! It really, truly struck me as a small foretaste of that awestruck Day of His coming to judge the world, as the sky is flooded with lightning and the Lion of Judah roars! The sun went down and then all of Israel fell silent. No cars, no busses, no eating, no shopping, no sounds at all except the lion's roar and the birds. A holy hush - or just a tradition? A fast in order to draw nearer to Him - or just to do what the Rabbi said? And why a<i> somber </i>day? For us it is a day of rejoicing in the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world!<br />
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<u><b>September 30 - Yom Kippur</b></u><br />
The lion roared all night! Whoever thought that our room would be over a zoo in Israel?! The roar feels so prophetic to me. Yom Kippur came and went peacefully in Israel and I was grateful. In Europe the neo-Nazi movement is rising up from the ashes and they marched on this day as an ominous sign of things to come.<br />
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But we had the delight and great joy of attending a service here in our guest house. A young Jewish man in love with Messiah Yeshua led us in worship with his guitar and then in two and a half hours of spontaneous, Spirit-led prayer. About 30 people had gathered together and they did not stand for hours and beat their breasts and read ancient, ritualistic prayers; they prayed earnest pleas of their hearts for the God of Israel to lift the veil over the hearts of the Jewish people. They prayed for salvation and for liberty! They prayed 2 Corinthians 3:6-18. Those verses spoke to me as never before. Verse 13 says, "...unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. But their minds were blinded. For<u> until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Tanach (Old Testamant) because the veil is taken away in Messiah." </u>I was moved by their passion, touched by their longing for their brothers and sisters - even their own families - to find Yeshua.<br />
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After the service we went out to walk along one of Haifa's busiest streets, where cars and busses race and horns blare all day long. There wasn't a car to be seen- except two little boys in their toy car! Young families all came out of their houses and walked or jogged down the middle of this big four-lane road. Children rode bikes and scooters without fear of being run over. Stoplights went out, every hotel and restaurant and shop closed up. It felt like 1958 on a Sunday afternoon in my own childhood in Missouri!<br />
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An older Jewish woman stopped to visit with Rosemary. She showed her small packet of drawings she had made - truly stunning renderings of landscapes, hillsides, sea cliffs, orchards and still-life pictures of fruit on thick, wooden tables. "I'm in art therapy," she told Rosemary. And once again we were reminded of the pain and trauma that dwells in the souls of so many here. Their rude and impatient behavior has a root and it is pain. We told her that we pray earnestly for the people of Israel. In her shy, small voice she responded, "Please pray that we will be nicer people." We will never forget that prayer request and the broken heart that uttered it.<br />
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Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Rosemary and I spent the morning in the Haifa zoo, built into this cliff over the big port of the Mediterranean Sea. Though small, the zoo requires one to ascend and descend hundreds of steps on the steep hillside. We have really strengthened our leg muscles climbing rocky steps all over Israel! I can't stop thinking how all that will change when Messiah returns - every mountain made low and every valley lifted up.<br />
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As we were about to exit the zoo, we met a Jewish woman pushing her toddler in a stroller. She had heard our American accents and asked where we were from. When we told her she struck up a conversation, asking us, "What do you tourists do on Yom Kippur when the hotel doesn't give you any food?" We smiled and replied, "Oh, we keep the fast on Yom Kippur just like you do. In fact, we keep all the feasts of the LORD." She looked stunned. Then I continued, "We even keep the Esther fast at Purim!" This so amazed her that she was speechless and she gestured to us in honor, as if giving us "kudos." What a blessing to have "provoked one to jealousy" (Romans 11:14). She was clearly letting us know that she doesn't keep the fast at Purim, and wondered who we are that we would do this. I have often wondered who we are and why we are doing this myself, but toward the end of this trip the Holy Spirit led us to a passage in Isaiah 56: 3-8. Please look up those verses and read them if you have ever wondered whether God really honors the non-Jews (like us) who are keeping His Sabbaths and His feasts. These verses poured over me as a great clay vessel of blessing and revelation straight from His lips!<br />
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In the afternoon we attended the Grand Opening of the "Great Southlands House of Prayer" - a brand new house of prayer near Kehilat ha Carmel, planted by intercessors of Australia and New Zealand. It has been years since I have been in the midst of Spirit-filled angelic worship like that. The dormant intercessor within me sprang back to life and I fell to my knees, overcome with great joy at being where I belong, among God's people - my people - the true worshipers from all the nations! One young woman took us a short way down the road to walk through the Korean House of Prayer. I had not known that so many prayer-houses had sprung up on top of Mount Carmel, and the depth of the praise that must be reaching the ears of God from up here!<br />
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We had a brief visit with friend Carolyn Hyde, and got to bless her and her family with some needed items we had brought from WalMart! And we got to be the very first ones to sow a donation seed into this new prayer house.<br />
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A delegation from the Solomon Islands led us in worship after Karen Davis' unspeakably passionate leading. The islanders are coming to Israel by the thousands I am told - and I recall the Tahitians at the Convocation in Jerusalem in 2005, who may have planted the seed and sounded the shofar that awakened so many others of the South Pacific Islands to bring the Gospel full circle back to Jerusalem!<br />
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<b><u>October 2</u></b><br />
In the morning over breakfast of cheese, toast, fruit and coffee, Rosemary and I met two women from New Zealand, who were at the new prayer center yesterday. Kindred spirits were electrified as we encountered one another! I love it when this happens! We knew each other instantly and our hearts were bursting to share what Yah is doing. We spoke through tears of joy about the great move we sense is coming as the tribes throughout the world hear the call of the shofar to repent and return to Israel. Laws will have to be changed here. Hard hearts of Judah will have to soften toward their Ephraimite family.<br />
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Today we drove up to Akko on the Mediterranean coast and an amazing thing happened as we got up to the lookout near the old light house. Two Arab men were up there and we spoke kindly to them. When they responded in friendly, broken English, we gave them a card about Mashiach in the stars. They were excited about it. Then suddenly one of them set a thermos on a rock, took out four plastic cups and began to pour strong Arabic coffee into them - one for each of us! We were stunned. A few years ago I don't believe this could have happened - Muslim men offering us their coffee on this ledge, overlooking the azure blue Mediterranean Sea! John and Vernon drank coffee and thanked them and there was a new feeling we'd not ever known before; the men were not just "Muslims," but people with wide smiles and generous hearts! It's all about the people.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKP-5gOHhRxvm4AFHMj-YA4Nw6MrbPqjvSVUOy5R63pBdS6Rl3Z6Stt7LaDGhlQD0nsXSkVEJZnYlL812vYYTu7Rhy92a5aJFy4IqiesnfwDWE_YEus2QH2lm_ps2Aht3AQeiAANIemRU/s1600/20171002_165930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKP-5gOHhRxvm4AFHMj-YA4Nw6MrbPqjvSVUOy5R63pBdS6Rl3Z6Stt7LaDGhlQD0nsXSkVEJZnYlL812vYYTu7Rhy92a5aJFy4IqiesnfwDWE_YEus2QH2lm_ps2Aht3AQeiAANIemRU/s320/20171002_165930.jpg" width="320" /></a>We shared a wonderful meal of fresh fish at the Abu Christo Restaurant on the edge of the sea. Then we drove up to the Lebanese border, at K'far Rosh ha Nikra. There was an IDF soldier at the gate there and we asked if we could go through the gate. At first he replied, "No, no admittance here." Then I told him we had come to pray for the IDF soldiers and for protection of all Israel from this northern border. His tone and his face changed into a smile, and he motioned for us to go through the gate and park. We were near the border, over the sea, just below the actual Israeli military installation and Rosemary blew a shofar and read Psalm 91, praying protection over Israel from the evil threats of Hezbollah. It was all in God's perfect timing, as nine hours later there was a threat posted on the news by Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah, issuing a dire warning to all Israelis to "get out before the war!" Once again we knew our steps and the timing and places of these prayer portals were being directed by the Lord.<br />
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<b><u>October 3</u></b><br />
Windy, squiggly roads led us up to the top of Mount Carmel. We drove to Muhraqa, the monastery at the top of the mountain. What memories came flooding back to me as I watched the tribes of the nations from this year's Convocation come streaming in, forming prayer circles and bombarding the heavens with their passionate African, Asian and European prayers. We found a small open spot in the beautiful rock-walled gardens and began our own intercessions in this, the final portal. God's presence was powerfully there in that place - and an Asian woman just behind us went into deep travail with heavy sobbing. I wondered where she was from and what had brought such pain and intense weeping into her life.<br />
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We interceded for America this time, in the wake of the horrible Las Vegas massacre. We blew the shofars and read aloud from 1 Kings 18 - loosing and destroying the evil of the Ba'als and the idolotries that have overtaken America. As Elijah did on this mountain thousands of years ago, we shouted, "Yehovah He is God! Yehovah He is God!"<br />
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Driving the short distance back to Kehilat ha Carmel, the wonderful worship center where people from all the nations worship Yeshua, we found a table and chairs beneath a shade tree where we could share our small picnic lunch. Then we went again into the anointed sanctuary for an afternoon prayer watch. I wish with all my heart that I could participate in that kind of totally Ruach-led worship all the time! A spirit of joy broke out and we ran, jumped, skipped and danced before the LORD! I got to worship Him with colorful flags and give Him honor due His Name. It was glorious and I realized the magnitude of the thirst my parched spirit has been in for the past few years.<br />
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<b><u>October 4</u></b><br />
We packed up and left Haifa by about 10:00 am, once again going up to Jerusalem. On the way we stopped in Hod ha Sharon to deliver a gift of goodies to a friend's grandson who is in boarding school there. My suitcase had been packed full with things that Israelis had asked for or needed, and it was such a joy to make these deliveries!<br />
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My spirit leapt once again as we made the ascent up to the Old City. We checked into the Jerusalem Inn by 3:00 pm and already all the shops and restaurants were closing their doors. It was Erev Sukkot - the first evening, the beginning of the High Sabbath. We decided to walk to the Old City anyway, even if the shops and restaurants were closed - but to our surprise, they were still open there!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSBIe44vCar4Gr1wZFaEmT7HBhA5gjwDSTV0wmA-R1Q0fORl_18tK7l54c24oPbp3A6EV-ZIfPeWM-b2jOVGpLsVMsG12qHlNyZx2gGVLHSqCa27DByAVDXgTpDShpVdOC7S9x8gGGMNE/s1600/20171005_152628+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSBIe44vCar4Gr1wZFaEmT7HBhA5gjwDSTV0wmA-R1Q0fORl_18tK7l54c24oPbp3A6EV-ZIfPeWM-b2jOVGpLsVMsG12qHlNyZx2gGVLHSqCa27DByAVDXgTpDShpVdOC7S9x8gGGMNE/s320/20171005_152628+%25282%2529.jpg" width="239" /></a>God once again granted me the desires of my heart and saved us a table and four chairs at the tiny cafe in the Jaffa Gate, where we could eat pasta and sandwiches and watch the unending stream of Orthodox Jews and their families coming down to the Western Wall to pray. It is just an amazing thing to watch - even though my heart breaks that they do not have the joy of knowing Yeshua, the Bridegroom, who will one day fulfill this feast at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.<br />
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Eventually we made our own way down to the Wall and decided to stay on the overlook, where we could witness the amazing sea of black and white, the gathering of Jewish families, with lulavs in their hands, and songs on their hearts. From the overlook we once again sang "Baruch haba b'shem Adonai" and called forth Messiah-King.<br />
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<b><u>October 5 - Last Day in Israel</u></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGoGfrOrXOTHyqVcdfSTI6fUOEtVwqZVk3c6Qayjj54z9sQYKZxHtR80TC9btXU8fAKOu6ttR-GKyKsEm_hCzdq-CIixuVfKIba4d3OimBiL5kVFTX3gyeL3TQ0PZVfgg9XTbHYmCS7mD/s1600/20171005_145803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGoGfrOrXOTHyqVcdfSTI6fUOEtVwqZVk3c6Qayjj54z9sQYKZxHtR80TC9btXU8fAKOu6ttR-GKyKsEm_hCzdq-CIixuVfKIba4d3OimBiL5kVFTX3gyeL3TQ0PZVfgg9XTbHYmCS7mD/s320/20171005_145803.jpg" width="320" /></a>Today my heart is grieved. Do I really have to leave here again and return to the "Exile?" We walked down Jaffa Street, silent and abandoned to observe the High Sabbath. The Old City too was strangely quiet and we found a small table and 4 chairs near an empty sukka where we ate the apples, crackers and hummus we had brought along. There were sukkas (tents) everywhere that had been erected for the Feast of Tabernacles, but they were all empty. I didn't realize they do not occupy them until the High Sabbath is over.<br />
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We visited David's Tomb and the Upper Room and then settled into my favorite place of shalom in the Old City - the garden at Christ Church. How many times in the past I have found solace and refuge in that little garden. How it feels like home to me! The sun began to go down and we stepped out one last time into the damp chill of the Jerusalem evening and walked to our hotel for a peaceful sleep.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">If you're still reading, I thank you for sharing this whole trip with us through my little blog - and all of us send abundant thanks from the depths of our hearts to those who donated to help make this trip possible, and helped us to spread financial blessings all over Israel. Those who bless Israel will surely be greatly blessed, as the Scripture tells us! (Genesis 12:3)</span></i></b><br />
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Shalom with love in our soon-coming King,<br />
Kelly<br />
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<b><br /></b>Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-91686321531837822642017-09-27T12:41:00.000-06:002017-09-27T12:42:56.293-06:00Take Off Your Grave Clothes!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRa3D6xuBbmMn7GKRgytujVI9civegu-bK_dgGiWhU995e-3Kx9PYBCAKjcIGkowdGQ9KU4iq6u8TEOw7NK8kNofrdGxHSaGokksbN0LVb1AO7aR3Sv7FMyyPmkFfFNkN23WTEtoXJjeA_/s1600/20170920_143558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRa3D6xuBbmMn7GKRgytujVI9civegu-bK_dgGiWhU995e-3Kx9PYBCAKjcIGkowdGQ9KU4iq6u8TEOw7NK8kNofrdGxHSaGokksbN0LVb1AO7aR3Sv7FMyyPmkFfFNkN23WTEtoXJjeA_/s320/20170920_143558.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Yes, we are here in Israel. Home. The place where my heart lives even when my body is in America! We are here to do as the Father instructed and pray through the portals of His Presence. We begin the journey in the Old City. This photo should give you a perspective of the massive size of these walls that surround Jerusalem. I have wandered this awesome city so many times now, and yet I am always inspired anew with the mandate given by our Lord when He so clearly told us to keep watch! As quickly as events are happening now, fulfilling the ancient prophecies, we must be ever more watchful. God's eyes are on Israel and His word is finding its fulfillment right here in Jerusalem, the "navel" of the world.<br />
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<u> September 20: The Aquaduct beneath Christ Church, Jerusalem</u><br />
We saw the river! We sang and worshiped in the place where the water was stopped up - and we called it forth! We called for Yeshua to set His feet on the Mount of Olives and cause the earth to shake and the mountain to split so the water could flow as Living Water through Jerusalem to the Dead Sea....healing everything as it flows! Ezekiel wrote, "the water was up to my ankles and then my knees and then my waist - and then a river no one could cross!" (chapter 38) Living water! And trees for healing the nations (Revelation 22).<br />
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<u>September 21: The Garden Tomb</u><br />
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It is Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets, and the day began with blasts of shofars from the synagogues all around us. Sleepy eyes shot open with the thrilling revelation: I am in Jerusalem! The trumpets are sounding and I am HERE - in the city of the Great King - on the day when He will return here in some future year!<br />
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We make our way to the Garden Tomb where we find the precious shalom of this place even more holy because there are so few people here on Yom Teruah. We find a small enclosure where we can sing and worship the One who willingly laid down His life for us and then burst forth from this tomb in Resurrection Power!<br />
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Crying out to Him to make Himself known to His chosen people, we sang "open the eyes of their hearts, Lord. Open the eyes of their hearts, cause them to see You. Cause them to see you!"<br />
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We petition Him for healing of our own bodies and minds and then the Ruach speaks two words to me: GRAVE CLOTHES. "What does this mean?" I ask. I have to look up the Scripture that uses this phrase and I find it in John chapter 11 - the story of Lazarus. Yeshua tells the men to "take off his GRAVE CLOTHES." Then the Ruach continues and He speaks to all four of us: "Take off your grave clothes and stop living like you're dead!"<br />
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Living like we are dead! And old! And incapacitated! And finished. We knew it was for us - a Yom Teruah wake-up call. Maybe it will be a wake-up call for you too. Just like the water that flows from the Aquaduct beneath Christ Church in Jerusalem and goes all the way to the DEAD SEA, where it heals every living thing; so the Lord is calling us to take off our grave clothes and be healed and stop living like we're dead!<br />
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<u>September 22: The Tomb of Samuel the Prophet</u><br />
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We worshiped inside this ancient structure towering above Jerusalem and many villages below. Contemplating the life of Israel's great prophet, I was given a revelation. Hannah prayed for a son and promised to give him to God if He would answer her prayer. He answered and she bore a son whom she named Samuel (which means "borrowed of God.") She kept her promise. She gave her son over to God to be raised in the tabernacle at Shiloh.<br />
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This is what I am called to do now. This is what we are all called to do with our own children. We must fully give them over to the LORD, trusting that they will be found and saved and then used by God. So I prayed it - earnestly I prayed it - and now I call it a finished work, as Hannah did.<br />
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<u>September 24: Hezekiah's Tunnel in the City of David (Jerusalem)</u><br />
I will be struggling to describe this experience. We had spent time reading the history of this tunnel and how Hezekiah's men achieved an engineering marvel, providing water to the city of Jerusalem during the time of the Assyrian siege. And we had read about Hezekiah's illness, and then his prayer of deep repentance, which touched the heart of God and added 15 years to his life! And so with heads bent low to climb into the tunnel entrance, the Lord began to connect many dots for me. Here we were, sloshing through water that began at our ankles - and then came up to our knees - and then up to our waists! Living water! Healing water! Joy seemed to completely overcome us and then we heard the people in front of us singing and worshiping. We did not know the foreign words they sang, but we knew the melody, so we joined in. Then the people behind us joined in, with yet another language - and it was as if all nations were worshiping in this tunnel filled with water. The worship grew deeper until I thought my heart would burst from the heavenly blessings that overflowed in that tunnel. For 700 meters we walked through this water, touching the rocky side walls carved out by Israelite men 2700 years ago. They believed they could complete this astonishing water system and by God's grace, they did. We believe that God did a healing work in each of us by His grace, and soon we shall know that He did!<br />
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<u>September 25: Shiloh and Beth-El</u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPKS4PRo8gRgIoWkT5RwmjXJxNfgxQK1n7iiWn8cO7SEtIfzMizvSuGA78o-jvs5c4rw_6SlTvksPoyAOEcOKIOeA3_gvfJFXJWQMknZls4gmqtElLOb4o-m78VMaK2FuI7FpO0NVLjIi/s1600/20170925_102133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPKS4PRo8gRgIoWkT5RwmjXJxNfgxQK1n7iiWn8cO7SEtIfzMizvSuGA78o-jvs5c4rw_6SlTvksPoyAOEcOKIOeA3_gvfJFXJWQMknZls4gmqtElLOb4o-m78VMaK2FuI7FpO0NVLjIi/s320/20170925_102133.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The number of children at the Israel Children's Therapy Center has more than tripled from our last visit. They have run out of room and space to build. So, you may wonder, are there that many tender young souls traumatized by terrorism in Israel? Yes, sadly it is true. It can be felt in the atmosphere, this eternal, cosmic struggle between YHVH and Satan, now manifesting itself fully as the war of Islam upon Jews and Christians. It is an ancient war, not a new one. It played out in the Garden of Eden and then reached its violent fullness through Nebudchanezzer, Alexander, Herod, Antiochus Epiphanes, Titus, Suleman, Hitler, and others possessed by the arch-enemy of the Holy One of Israel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOU9Himsl8vi2lKVWTQzTMWLIGAKwXYGtn0lSHr7CLIsukM9kPwMY0QGGDv8yrPl1xWNXDQhFDTDo3iAXtBRFG95VJ7BDgwthIH1zxAx-VeRUHLGPDZVtSm2aggC9ppXvNrdGHaLO7hdeV/s1600/20170925_103057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOU9Himsl8vi2lKVWTQzTMWLIGAKwXYGtn0lSHr7CLIsukM9kPwMY0QGGDv8yrPl1xWNXDQhFDTDo3iAXtBRFG95VJ7BDgwthIH1zxAx-VeRUHLGPDZVtSm2aggC9ppXvNrdGHaLO7hdeV/s200/20170925_103057.jpg" width="200" /></a>Yet, in Shiloh's peaceful stillness, the children run and play and feed ducks and play with hamsters. They laugh and run like all children and pose for the camera with silly expressions. Music, art and horses are used to minister healing to their wounded souls. I love them so much! I love them like a Jewish "Ima" (mama), whose heart carries their pain.<br />
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At the site of the ancient tabernacle in Shiloh, where the 12 tribes worshiped God for 369 years, we gathered beneath the one tree to pray. The tree is surrounded by hundreds of billions of rocks on all sides and Rosemary exclaimed, "What if all the rocks of Israel began to praise God?" What a staggering thought!<br />
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From Shiloh we took the short drive to Beth El, the place where Jacob saw the open vision of heaven - the angels ascending and descending on a "ladder." I sat on the concrete floor of the observation deck at the high pinnacle that overlooks all Israel in all four directions. Here God had spoken to Abraham and confirmed His covenant, that all the land of Israel would belong to his descendants forever. So why is this holy place of the Covenant now surrounded by Arab villages, who lay false claims to this land? Why was I hearing the vile blaring of prayers to the false god Allah, instead of evening prayers and praise to Elohim, the Holy One of Israel? My heart began to weep. "Abba, I came here to press in deep to your Spirit in these portals of your Presence. I looked forward to this time with such joyful awe, and now here I am and I wonder if we are walking this out the way You desired. I do not see any open heaven; not even an angel or two! Are our prayers lifted in these places a blessing to You?"<br />
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Then I started looking up into the sky, as He had told me to continually do. I saw a long, wispy cirrus cloud without form. His soft Voice said, "Watch it. Watch the cloud and keep watching." I did. Eventually the cloud began to take a very distinct shape. It looked like a long road, and then suddenly two arrows formed at the end of the road, one pointing straight north and the other pointing straight west. John saw it too and we marveled. What could it mean?<br />
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Later that night, in the shower, the Spirit gave me the interpretation of the cloud. "This is the road just ahead of you. You will go north to the Galilee and then west to Haifa. Don't get stuck here. KEEP GOING! You are doing what you came to do. Now continue on - to the North and the West!"<br />
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I sensed that He was saying, "You don't have to figure out what I'm, going to do with the prayers you pray in these portals. You are not failing. Just keep going." I recalled that in Shiloh we had learned one new Hebrew word: <i>kadima. </i>This words means "march forth!" Hallelujah! Now on to the North and the West!<br />
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<u>September 27: Capernaum and Gamla</u><br />
Our wonderful hostess in the Galilee Region, Avigail, accompanied us to the next portal in Capernaum. We prayed in this beautiful area on the Sea of Galilee as we read from the Scriptures about the many miracles Yeshua did here. In Mark 2 it tells of a man whose child in Capernaum had just died. Yeshua told him to go back home saying, "Your child will live." The Scripture goes on to say, "The man took him at his word and went home..." We pondered this a long while in this portal of healing miracles. The man "took him at His word" and his child lived! It is this simple faith we must re-kindle in our own hearts, learning to take Yeshua at His word. After all, he IS the Word!<br />
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Avigail took us on around the sea to the National Preserve known as Gamla. I had never heard of it - but it seems that there is a lot of study going on in this area, as some have come to believe that this is actually the place of Yeshua's boyhood home. In this photo you can see a second ridge behind the first one, with green trees growing along the right side. An ancient village once covered the left side of this steep ridge, and the Sea of Galilee is at the far end of this photo, in the distance. We spent a long time here, learning about what has been discovered in this area that lends credibility to the newly-emerging belief that Yeshua grew up right here rather than in the traditional site of Nazareth. If you have an open mind to new truth coming forth out of the excavations of Israel's land, visit the website of<a href="http://www.gamla.org/"> http://www.gamla.org</a> and ponder what you find there!<br />
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As we were leaving Gamla, we stopped at the small market for ice cream bars, and there were two Jewish men who work there, smoking cigarettes and talking together. Boldly I asked one of them if he knew anything about this being the place where Yeshua grew up. He nodded and in his heavy Hebrew accent he said he knew about it and believed it must be true. Curious as to whether he was a believer, I asked him, "So, do you believe Yeshua is the Messiah?" He replied, "No. I don't even believe in God. There is no God. How could there be? There is so much suffering in the world and there is no God who cares about us." The other man was much younger, thoughtful, perhaps less broken and bruised by Jewish persecution and suffering. But when we asked what he believed, I was far more shocked. He said, "I believe that the God of the Jews and the god of the Muslims is the same. There is no difference." I could hardly believe what I was hearing! Avigail was quick and precise in her response as she challenged them both: "The Koran says that Avraham took Ishmael up and bound him for a sacrifice. The Torah says that Avraham took Isaac up and bound him. If He is the same God, why would He tell the story two different ways? He would not! Therefore one story is true and the other story is a lie." We could see the wheels turning, the hearts struggling, wanting to find truth, wanting to know. Finally I got to summarize it for them the same way the Master summarized it. I told them, "When the Rabbis asked Yeshua what is the most important commandment, He told them, 'Love God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind - and love one another as you love yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets.' So we have come all this way from America to Israel to tell you that there is a God who loves you - and Yeshua, his Son, who loves you so much that He died for your sins. And we also came all this way to tell you that WE love you too!"<br />
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It was a divine appointment. It was why we came. We scatter and God waters. Living water! Pray that these two Jewish men take off their grave clothes and live! Now on to the West...Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-24682835133276712182017-09-14T07:03:00.003-06:002017-09-14T07:03:51.765-06:00Bring Me to Your Holy MountainIt is hard to describe all the emotions I feel as I prepare to go back to Ha Eretz Israel. My heart has beat so long with and for this nation and this chosen people. It is an undeniable calling and the opportunity to go back for this sixth trip to the Land is such a deep blessing to me. I've decided that surely my SEVENTH trip will be the complete, perfect one of supernatural transport into the Millennial Kingdom! As someone recently reminded me, that trip will be free!<br />
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I've had a series of mornings where the Lord awakened me to a digital clock that reads 4:44. Finally I heard instruction from the Spirit that He wanted me to be reading in Psalm 44 and Isaiah 44 in preparation for this trip - and to read these passages also in all the portals where He has called us to pray in Israel.<br />
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It has been a blessing to spend time in these words of Scripture, for they surely <i>are </i>the cries of Israel to her merciful, faithful God. The other couple going with us on this trip suggested to me that we also spend some time in Psalm 43 - and as I did so in the wee hours of this morning, my heart leapt!<br />
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<i>Psalm 43:3: Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, the place where You dwell.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDvlWw5rLIXNhyqYKPTZOR1mmgfz6CI_zP4oIM0SZM230TLm7_ojyn9-6og656uZl_2egzU8-IwcVI4k-qBeQ3pAkj5eqX-2yfk9S6_otXXm_9rFd7s6-9RRTyhXtkTR-EELZwhP9oeum/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDvlWw5rLIXNhyqYKPTZOR1mmgfz6CI_zP4oIM0SZM230TLm7_ojyn9-6og656uZl_2egzU8-IwcVI4k-qBeQ3pAkj5eqX-2yfk9S6_otXXm_9rFd7s6-9RRTyhXtkTR-EELZwhP9oeum/s320/059.JPG" width="320" /></a>Oh my Father, how I am looking forward to going up to Jerusalem again, up to your "holy mountain, the place where You dwell!" I know it is fraught with violence and attacks of the enemy, at this Ground Zero location in the Eternal Battle between You and Satan. I know Israel's enemies are even now encamped around her borders, as the war of Psalm 83 leaps off the pages into our very day. I know there are still stiff-necked people, who resist the message of the Messiah that we carry. But here is the great news: Your light and Your faithful care lead me. They always have! Time after time in Israel I have felt Your living presence with me, Your light surrounding me. Each visit to the Western Wall I see a white dove in the cleft of the rock, and know it is a sign that Your Holy Spirit abides there in the midst of Jewish tears.<br />
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Now we will stand at that ancient wall and blow the trumpets on Yom Teruah, proclaiming the year of 5778. Now we will walk through Hezekiah's tunnel with Your words of healing on our lips, spilling through the waters, knowing that You will be healing and restoring us, as well as your people. Now we will clamber through the rocky paths of ancient Shiloh where the wilderness tabernacle stood, and pray as the tribes of Israel once prayed. Now we will stand on the shores of the Galilee, and press into the power of Yeshua's wondrous miracles! Now we will ascend to the top of Mount Carmel on the Day of Atonement and intercede for <i>all</i> Israel to come to repentance and to the salvation of our God. <br />
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In the midst of all this prayer we will not forget our own nation, who is in the travail and ravages of flood, fires and devastation. We will pray that the floods drown out racial prejudice and hatred, as black and white mamas and daddies share blankets and food for their little ones. We will pray that fires will purify this land and return us to righteous ruling and laws. Amid long days of power outages, while cell phones and computers are silenced, may our younger generation find time to talk to and<i> to hear</i> God.<br />
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Thank you for your generations donations, and thank you for covering us in prayer September 18 through October 6. I know I will be coming home with some powerful testimonies and also some intimate stories of how <i>God's light and His faithful care led me once more to His holy mountain, the play where He dwells!</i><br />
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<br />Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-79763151215979089202017-08-26T14:50:00.000-06:002017-08-26T14:50:15.568-06:00Silence in Heaven"The Great American Eclipse." Did you watch it? Was your heart stirred? Did the Spirit whisper anything to you? Or was there just a stunning silence?<br />
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I heard a lot of different reports - and every one of them caused me to repent. I repented to the Lord because I thought surely He should do some sort of great earthquake or cataclysmic event on that day, in order to wake up all the sleeping people who do not know Him or have abandoned Him. But He is the Sovereign God and He knows EXACTLY what He is doing!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSVLoMKvM3NyXSD6VRFD6HxhJjFvyGmx_3LQKcKJVDtBpYPcWAGwN5ED-hRs6n4VPWvMlDkjT4XE31xTJJcXYnajrvbSZI6aYRTky8kRJQWXEemBFmjojnDYNnBFr5rl1uE-TmnE5Y1oT/s1600/greeleyeclipse2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSVLoMKvM3NyXSD6VRFD6HxhJjFvyGmx_3LQKcKJVDtBpYPcWAGwN5ED-hRs6n4VPWvMlDkjT4XE31xTJJcXYnajrvbSZI6aYRTky8kRJQWXEemBFmjojnDYNnBFr5rl1uE-TmnE5Y1oT/s400/greeleyeclipse2.jpg" width="400" /></a>I watched the eclipse with our little bible study group that I have at the retirement home where my parents lived for many years. Although they are gone from this earth, the bible study has continued with several avid students of the Word and on the day of the eclipse, we were joined by several residents I did know - very possibly some of those who do not really know God. We were not in "totality" of the eclipse path, but at 95%, we were awfully close. <br />
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I passed around eclipse glasses and chairs and the extraordinary event began. It grew dimmer and dimmer, and the color of the waning sun turned a deep orange. As temperatures dropped, gnarled fingers pulled sweaters around their shoulders, and then an amazing hush covered us. The chirping of birds ceased and the little 5% of sunlight was all we had. It was in that moment that I understood what the Creator of the Universe was doing. I heard someone quietly exclaim, "Wow! There <i>is</i> Someone who can take warmth and light away!"<br />
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I hadn't thought of it like that. I knew it was a mighty demonstration of His Power, but I hadn't thought about how He could show everyone in this nation that HE ALONE - THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE - can give light or remove light, send warmth or withhold it! Watching the TV photos later, I heard someone say, "There IS Someone so much bigger than me!"<br />
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The darkness and the silence lasted only about two minutes....but I wonder....was this a great warning, a stunning foreshadow of what is foretold in Revelation 6:12-13? "I watched as He opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth..." Those events take place at the opening of the "Sixth Seal" of the Scroll. Following this, we are told, "When He opened the seventh seal there was <i>silence in heaven for about half an hour."</i><br />
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Did we experience two minutes of darkness and silence that foreshadowed this great and terrible half hour? Were we given this tiny glimpse of His unfathomable power so that we would turn away from all our worldly distractions and entertainments and get in tune with what our Creator is doing? Was it meant to show us what time it is? Have our ears been so tuned to the signals from cell phone towers and internet bombardment that He asked our whole nation to <b>DRIVE INTO THE PATH OF THE GOD OF TOTALITY AND FOCUS ON HIM? </b><br />
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<b>He IS "Totality!" It IS all about HIM! There IS Someone so much bigger than me - and you!</b><br />
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When the seventh seal is opened, the seven trumpet and bowl judgments commence. This is the time of the outpouring of God's wrath upon the earth. Prior to this, the six seals describe devastating times of deception, war, famine, disease and death (including martyrdom). There is no "catching away" (rapture) of believers until this time of tribulation and persecution is ended. We are not appointed to God's wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9 ), but we will go through many terrible trials and tribulations before this sixth seal occurs. Matthew 24:29 says,<i> "Immediately <b>AFTER THE TRIBULATION OF THOSE DAYS</b>, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. <b>AT THAT TIME</b> the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and <b>THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT</b> from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other."</i><br />
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Clearly our loving, merciful Father was calling us to come together on one single day to watch HIS show of power and get our eyes fixed on His Son Yeshua, the only Savior and Redeemer! And Americans DID gather - in unity - with no violence in the streets, no angry, hate-filled demonstrations. In the middle of a normal Monday, in a nation deeply divided by politics and racial tensions, there was SILENCE IN HEAVEN AND IN AMERICA FOR TWO MINUTES - and we who got tuned in to Heaven, were awakened to Someone who has the power to remove light and warmth from the Earth and then restore it! We gazed upon His majesty. We wondered at His power. We got lost in His totality.<br />
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Shabbat Shalom!<br />
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<br />Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-78723215570038435092017-08-12T19:49:00.000-06:002017-08-12T19:49:11.974-06:00The Great American Eclipse - It's a Timing Thing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSobpIgH6EPudamzKbTaoN9u8bveI7keNBJlzj049Jovhcg5SBczbdSZ4d2xBU9Ta2_MBImQY_xdM9TPJbxfOeV6ItmyXi_hpnIMEjbvI7Dfsr_H5XeyRFXl4S8yaWDvgpXTeEcRlOYGTl/s1600/eclipse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSobpIgH6EPudamzKbTaoN9u8bveI7keNBJlzj049Jovhcg5SBczbdSZ4d2xBU9Ta2_MBImQY_xdM9TPJbxfOeV6ItmyXi_hpnIMEjbvI7Dfsr_H5XeyRFXl4S8yaWDvgpXTeEcRlOYGTl/s1600/eclipse.jpg" /></a>The internet and You Tube sites are overflowing with "tabloid-style" hype about the upcoming "Great American Eclipse" and the "Revelation 12" September 23 sign in the sky. Unless you're living under a rock in the Amazon River, I suspect you've been hearing it all and wondering what it all means. If you pay attention to the media, you will probably conclude that August 21st will be the end of the world, and if you've reached that conclusion, then you have gone into a state of fear and panic.<br />
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Take a deep breath! I've been writing this blog for over eight years now and most people who have continued reading it can testify to the fact that I do not participate in fear-mongering. The Bible clearly tells us that we who are in Christ do <i><u>NOT have a spirit of fear - but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). </u></i><br />
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Way back at the beginning of the Bible in Genesis 1:14, we learn that God said,<i> "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, AND LET THEM SERVE AS SIGNS TO MARK SEASONS AND DAYS AND YEARS." </i> Our awesome God is using the moon, the sun, and the stars not only to mark time, but also for SIGNS. "Signs of what?" you may ask. And I would point out that Yeshua (Jesus) clearly answered this question when He said, <i style="background-color: white;"><u>"When these things begin to take place, LOOK UP AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS - BECAUSE YOUR REDEMPTION IS DRAWING NEAR."</u></i><br />
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To see a sign in the sky, we must look UP! Apparently several million people are now buying their special "eclipse glasses" so that on August 21 (9 days from now) they can all be looking UP at the sun as it is totally ecipsed by the moon, something that has NEVER happened just across this nation in its history. So the one thing we can be certain of is that God is trying to say something to us. Here is what Psalm 19 has to say about it:<br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><u>The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.</u></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><u>Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge</u></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><u>There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.</u></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><u>Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the end of the world.</u></i><br />
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This wonderful psalm helps us to understand that the signs displayed by the sun, moon and stars (the heavens) are "speaking" to us - bringing us a message. And I want to submit to you that <i style="background-color: white;"><u>God's eternal message to His people is the same message that He brought through His prophet, John the Baptist: "REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS NEAR!"</u></i><br />
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<i style="background-color: white;"><u>Matthew 3:1-3: In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: 'A voice of one calling in the desert, "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.'"</u></i><br />
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So why would I say that a total eclipse spanning the United States of America in 2017 has anything to do with the message of John the Baptist over 2000 years ago? IT'S A TIMING THING! It has everything to do with the TIMING of this message in the heavens this August 21. That just happens to be the 1st day of the Hebrew month ELUL. And the 1st of Elul just happens to be exactly 40 days before the holiest day of the year in the LORD's calendar: Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). So, it appears to me that our God, who is the Master Mathematician and Scientist, who created the earth and who set the great lights in the expanse of the galaxies, and who operates in perfect cycles and seasons every year since Creation, is still speaking in the same language and patterns He has always used. He does not change. <span style="background-color: white;"><u><i>He is the same yesterday, today and forever</i> (Hebrews 13:8)</u></span>. And His message always has been and always will be consistent, because of His great love. <i style="background-color: white;"><u>The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but EVERYONE TO COME TO REPENTANCE." (2 Peter 3:9)</u></i><br />
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When Moses came down from the mountain, he found the people worshiping a golden calf, a man-made idol, and he was filled with the anger and grief of the Holy One of Israel. He smashed the tablets to the ground, and then ascended back up the mountain to pray for the Israelites, who had so easily forgotten their God, the One who had delivered them out of slavery in Egypt. Moses was on the mountain for 40 DAYS - and Torah scholars have found that he ascended that mountain on the 1st of Elul - coming back down to the people with a second set of tablets, inscribed by the finger of Yeshua, ON THE DAY OF YOM KIPPUR. <br />
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Another startling, consistent scenario occurs when the prophet Jonah comes out of the belly of the whale and, finally resolving to be obedient to God, he enters the wicked city of Nineveh, (which is modern-day Mosul, Iraq by the way) on the 1st of Elul, and according to Jonah 3:4-5:<i style="background-color: white;"><u> He proclaimed, "FORTY MORE DAYS AND NINEVEH WILL BE DESTROYED." The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth."</u></i><br />
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Forty days Jonah preached to the sinful city of Nineveh, and the people responded. By Yom Kippur then (the Day of Atonement), the people had repented of their sins, and they were saved from destruction.<br />
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Today we know that our atonement is in Yeshua our Messiah (Jesus Christ). We know that He has paid the ultimate price for sin on the Cross. And yet - this nation has forsaken God on so many levels, that it is time for Him to put a sign in the heavens on the 1st of Elul, calling this nation to <u>repent and return to Him</u> over the next 40 days. This is His great-heartbeat; that every American witnessing this great sign in the heavens would surrender their lives, give up their selfish and sinful ways, and come into a powerful, loving relationship with Him - before it's too late. <br />
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The month of Elul is known in Jewish thought as "the month of repentance" - because it is preparation for Yom Kippur. Will we respond to this great sign with our genuine surrender to Yeshua? He is returning soon and His Kingdom is nearer than when we first thought. If you know of someone who truly doesn't know Him or understand these things, please forward this blog, or print it out and use it as a witness to others to open their eyes. In tears I am praying that all who cover their eyes with eclipse glasses will <i>not</i> hide their eyes and ears from the message of the "speech that is pouring forth from the heavens!"<br />
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PRAYER PORTAL TRIP TO ISRAEL! CAN YOU HELP?</span></b><br />
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About 3 weeks ago the Holy Spirit began to speak to John and me about an assignment the LORD is giving to us. I clearly heard the Spirit say, "You are to go to Israel this Fall. You must be there before Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) and th<br />
rough the day of Yom Kippur. I (the Ruach/Holy Spirit) will be your tour guide. I and no other. I will direct you to portals where you will pray and intercede for the Jewish people, prior to Yom Kippur. I will meet you in the portals where I direct, and you will go as I lead."<br />
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Needless to say my heart is BURSTING with this assignment! It has been three years since I've been in the Land, and now 12 years since my long prayer watch in Jerusalem. And it does not escape my understanding that we have been given the timing because we will be praying our way through Israel from the blowing of the shofars to the Day of Atonement! It is a timing thing - and it is all about the eternal message: "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near!"<br />
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We will be visiting some of the ministries in Israel that Doorkeeper Ministries supports, and <span style="color: red;">WE ARE ASKING YOUR HELP!!</span> We want to take cash donations to the Israeli orphanage we support, the Shiloh Children's Fund (for children traumatized and victimized by terrorists) and the congregation on Mt. Carmel where both Jews and Arabs are being reached for Yeshua.<br />
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<i>John and Kelly (top right) with Yehuda Kohn (left) and some of the children at Elazraki Children's Home in Netanya, Israel</i><br />
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<span style="color: red;">EVERY DONATION YOU SEND TO DOORKEEPER MINISTRIES BETWEEN NOW AND SEPT 18TH WHEN WE LEAVE WILL BE TAKEN TO ISRAEL TO BE A BLESSING TO THE PEOPLE IN THE LAND.</span><br />
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PLEASE OPEN UP YOUR HEARTS AND HELP US TO BE A WITNESS OF YESHUA'S DEEP LOVE AND BLESSING TO THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL. <br />
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<span style="color: red;">You can donate with PayPal or credit card at this link: </span> <a href="http://www.doorkeeperministries.com/donate.html">http://www.doorkeeperministries.com/donate.html</a><br />
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<span style="color: red;">You can send a check to Doorkeeper Ministries and mail to P.O. Box 233, Eaton, CO 80615</span><br />
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May the Lord return the blessings to you a hundredfold! We love and appreciate each of you so much! And above all else <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;">WE COVET YOUR PRAYERS OVER US AS WE TRAVEL FROM SEPT 18 TO OCT 6.....PRAYERS FOR PROTECTION, FAVOR, AND DIVINE APPOINTMENTS!</span></span><br />
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Thanks from the bottom of my heart,<br />
Kelly<br />
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P.S. Please, friends, help me get the word out!<br />
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<span style="color: red;">FREE TO ALL CHURCHES AND CONGREGATIONS! </span><br />
Visit our You Tube site where I am posting worship videos with music and words: <br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqhSYsSOHNWiHyN1UCmeBzg">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqhSYsSOHNWiHyN1UCmeBzg</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">And visit our FREE Audio Teachings page with my newest radio Podcast: SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS</span><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqhSYsSOHNWiHyN1UCmeBzg">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqhSYsSOHNWiHyN1UCmeBzg</a>Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-76996927682700947882017-07-24T08:28:00.002-06:002017-07-24T08:28:47.587-06:00City of the Great King<i>"I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves." Zechariah 12:2-3</i><br />
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Ever since I spent those five life-changing months in Jerusalem, my eyes have been continually fixed on her, my heart beating with her own throbbing pulse. People ask me continually why the world and the news media are so fixated upon Israel and Jerusalem - this tiny land, the size of Vermont! The answer is so very simple: it is because the eyes and the heart of the Creator of the Universe are forever focused right there!<br />
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Jerusalem - the ONLY city where God chose to put His own Name; the place where He brought forth creation, the place where His Son shed His blood to reconcile Himself <i>back</i> to a sinful creation! The nations and religions of the earth vie for control of this place. It is the most coveted piece of real estate in the Universe - and the navel of this land is the Temple Mount. <br />
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This week we <i>feel </i>the pulsating tension over the Temple Mount. Gun shots, rioting, convulsions of rage fill the streets there, and blood is flowing in homes of the innocent. All these chaotic scenes of this past week cause my memory to flash back to 2005, when I was living up on the Mount of Olives and the Muslim Feast of Ramadan broke out in wild gun shots, drunken revelry and closed-off streets. At my window, overlooking all this chaos, I was praying for the<i> peace</i> of Jerusalem, when God gave me a vision. I saw a great, radiant, flowing form seated on an enormous throne, and His feet were propped upon a footstool! I was in awe at the scene and then the Spirit spoke to me: "I am not wringing My hands over this mess in Jerusalem. Do I look frightened and anxious to you? Am I not reclining, with my feet upon a footstool? Who does that if they are worried or afraid of what is happening? I tell you, Heaven is My throne and the earth is my footstool. (Isa 66:1) Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is God's throne or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the City of the Great King." (Matt 5:35) <br />
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I remember being overwhelmed by this vision and these words from the Spirit, and I recall them now, as we begin to see the stage being set for Zechariah's prophecies. Satan is stirring up the nations of the earth against Jerusalem, only because it truly is the City of the Great King, the very location of the future Kingdom of Messiah Yeshua.<br />
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<i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">He said: “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place for the </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">soles</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> of my </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">feet</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">. This is where I will live among the Israelites forever. The people of Israel will never again defile my holy name—neither they nor their kings..." (Ezekiel 43:7)</span></b></i><br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Hallelujah!</b></span></i><br />
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<i>Jerusalem Day 2011</i></div>
Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-9768564077963274832017-07-09T08:30:00.001-06:002017-07-09T08:30:04.667-06:00A Bearing Problem<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are holding much before the Lord right now for His discernment. He is teaching me once again to ask questions as I experience things in my normal, daily life. My car was making a loud noise in the front wheel so I took it in for repair. The mechanic told me, "You don't just need one new bearing, you need two. They are both worn out." The car got two new bearings and then my dryer broke down, after a few weeks of loud squealing and moaning! The mechanic came out. "It's a bearing problem."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sat in the Colorado sunshine and mused, "What is a bearing anyway, and what does it do?" Wikipedia offers this definition: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">A </span><b style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">bearing</b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"> is a </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_element" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Machine element">machine element</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"> that constrains relative motion to only the desired motion, and reduces </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friction" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Friction">friction</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"> between </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moving_parts" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;" title="Moving parts">moving parts</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVPygjHabqAxjEx5rjqW81enOgb033gRQUsJGtduEzzV6gUC1vuJ-RBOOteeVonZjoIJsZ1n0kGwZfo0svHDaYVH05bRgmSfcjXMMxIaXa2_mf48GnFKg9Aoy754fE90zfi2pjxthVdIb/s1600/bearing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVPygjHabqAxjEx5rjqW81enOgb033gRQUsJGtduEzzV6gUC1vuJ-RBOOteeVonZjoIJsZ1n0kGwZfo0svHDaYVH05bRgmSfcjXMMxIaXa2_mf48GnFKg9Aoy754fE90zfi2pjxthVdIb/s1600/bearing.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Constrains motion to only the DESIRED motion.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Reduces friction.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Oh, how the Spirit speaks to me in these ways that are seemingly small and yet so profound! This last season has been one <i>filled </i>with friction. Have you noticed? The enemy has been waging a total assault on the people of God, constraining their ability to move in HIS desired motion! The friction manifests in discouragement and weariness.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I sat for a moment with that word: DIS-COURAGEMENT. Yes. I see it more clearly that way. The enemy has stolen our courage. And it is courage and faith that allows us to move in <b>God's desired motion</b>.The Spirit led me to Hebrews 12:12-13:<i> "Therefore strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet so that the lame may not be disabled [discouraged], but rather healed!"</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">We went through a year of pain and illness and weariness. Friction! We were squealing and failing. Our forward motion - what God DESIRED for us - was disabled. We had a "BEARING PROBLEM!"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Does this resonate with anyone else out there? I have heard from several people who operate in prophetic ministry that this past season was an "all-out assault of the enemy to literally TAKE OUT the pastors, teachers, evangelists and called-ones of the LORD." And it is not going to get easier; the friction is going to increase, constraining and disabling more and more people. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">But we have called the High Mechanic and He has shown us the problem. We will use </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His Word to strengthen our feeble arms and weak knees and make a level path to come against the friction! We will move forward, by faith, in HIS desired motion, and we will prevail! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pray that this word speaks to others who are under much attack. It is a bearing problem!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Visit this link if you're interested in my podcast page on Hebrew Nation Radio, where you can listen to archived teachings at your leisure. </span><a href="http://hebrewnationonline.com/?s=Doorkeeper&select-category=all&select-product_category=all&select-product_tag=all&select-product_attr_1=all">http://hebrewnationonline.com/?s=Doorkeeper&select-category=all&select-product_category=all&select-product_tag=all&select-product_attr_1=all</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Visit my dear friend Rosemary's new website to find LINEN garments and bedding that promote sound sleep, healing and shalom: <a href="http://www.linen4life.net/">http://www.linen4life.net</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">God bless you - I love and appreciate each one of you!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-86335683770062116392017-07-08T07:56:00.001-06:002017-07-08T07:56:23.315-06:00I Have Kept the FaithWe've been on the road - my favorite thing! We went to Missouri to minister in a congregation and then drove across the state to the eastern side to meet up with my sister and her husband on what is now called a "genealogy trip." It was a marvelous, profound time of discovering many of our ancestors on my mother's side -- who they were and how they shaped who <i>we</i> are. We had some letters and documents left by our mother, including a letter dictated by our great-great grandmother Catherine Herzinger, and written in our grandmother's hand. She told of her life near the Mississippi River in the 1860s. Her story came alive to us in vivid color and we could imagine her terror on the night during the civil war when soldiers came and raided the house, taking all the food, clothing and valuables that they owned - except one $10 bill that her mother had sewn into a pillow! She spoke of her husband, a shoemaker, who met some of the Indians coming across the river in mid-winter during the Trail of Tears, and got them shoes to keep feet warm and dry. <br />
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When we found Great-great grandmother Herzinger's grave and tombstone we wept, because we felt we had known her; and because only five words were written below her name and dates: <i>"I have kept the faith." </i> That touched me deeply. Her family (whose names also included Stein and Halter) were immigrants from Germany, and most likely Jewish. So whether Jewish or Christian, it did not matter to me. She was brave and courageous and loved the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. She and her husband showed mercy and kindness to the Native Americans. And I felt one step closer to knowing why every cell in my body jumps when I hear the shofar sound! <br />
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A few people told me that the bible says we should not spend time on genealogies. I think this is a misunderstanding of Titus 3:9, which cautions us not to argue and quarrel about the Torah. If we stop and think about it, the Bible, especially the Torah, is a book of genealogies, a composite of records and stories of the family of God! It seems to me that this is a cherished and important part of His heart, to record the people and the places of the Israelites and to tell their stories from generation to generation. They are part of who we are, and whom we have become, as God's own.<br />
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Just before we left on this trip, I had a very vivid dream. It was so powerfully strong that I pondered it for many days to seek the full meaning. The dream was brief and included two very opposing scenes. In the first, I was in a big room filled with people and there was a pastor in the front of the room. He was in deep travail, weeping and repenting, and eventually falling on his face, so deep was his sorrowful repentance. The Holy Spirit began moving all of us in the room to enter into this deep repentance, and I remember that I was moved to the core and weeping deeply myself. Then I left that room and walked down the hall to enter another room. I remember that I thought this was the "restroom," but when I got inside, I realized it was another very large room and this time it was filled with people having a huge, raucous party. Some had party hats on and they were all prancing around and celebrating. But what was really strange was that I saw donkeys in the room who were doing back-flips! They too were laughing a strange laugh and then flipping over backwards. Immediately I woke up, and at first I tried to remember if I'd had pizza for dinner! I had not. The dream began to sink in as I initially recognized the deeply divided world we live in. One room was filled with deep worship of God and sincere repentance of sin; the other room filled with fleshly party-goers who don't care about God, feel no need to repent, and just want to have a good time with what the world has to offer. A few days later, still pondering the dream, I told it to John and he remarked, "Kelly, don't you know that donkeys represent Democrats?" I hadn't thought of that! I hadn't given it a political viewpoint. But undeniably, that schism is very real, and the two rooms told a very real story of this divided nation.<br />
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We remain in prayer. We repent and intercede for those who will not. We stay in the Word and learn the lessons of those who went before us, and like my great-great grandmother we hope that one day on our tomb stone it will say, <i>"I have kept the faith." </i>Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-60454530036895759732017-06-10T07:45:00.002-06:002017-06-10T07:45:46.101-06:00The Road of SufferingJohn and I went for a long evening walk last night, to enjoy the lingering light of our first hot summer day. We both struggled. Feet swelled and backs jolted with aches and pain. Energy fell below what we have always known before and it felt so discouraging. We came home and settled in for the sweet shalom of the Sabbath.<br />
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This morning I opened my prayer journal from last year, and "happened" upon the page for July 27, 2016. I know the Spirit led me there to re-examine what God revealed to me about aging. I wrote:<br />
"Aging is becoming real to me. I am only 65 - but already there are signs of this "tent" breaking down; torn meniscus in my knee, pain in my muscles, so much less energy! Life has been heavy and hard the last five years. The glorious Wedding began these five years of so many crises.<br />
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"But recently I watched a video of David Davis - Pastor of the wonderful Kehilat haCarmel congregation in Haifa, Israel. He was preaching after coming back from near-death to cancer. He said that he believes - and in his near-death experience God showed him -<b><i> that our aging process is difficult, with much affliction because we are being transformed into Messiah's image.</i></b> Oh, how you suffered, Yeshua! Your submission and sacrifice made You perfect. Your suffering was the process of holiness. Your resurrection assured your people of eternal life with You; but our journey to get there also includes suffering and submission.<br />
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"I have now watched some people in my life - including both my parents - suffer in faith and in joy, never losing their focus on You and the destiny they were moving toward: eternal life with You, where all suffering ceases and all tears are wiped away!<br />
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"Through those lens I begin to see why believers who love You are suffering so much right now. It is not all attack of the Adversary. Much of what we are going through is so that we will draw deeper and deeper into God, submitting the pain and the sorrow, disappointment and illness, to Him, knowing and believing that it is all conforming us to the image of His Son, our Redeemer King, who first suffered for us.<br />
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"David Davis' limbs quivered and fought to stay upright as he delivered his message. His voice strained to be heard in its weakness. His eyes beamed Christly-light through heavy lids. Looking at his cancer-ravaged body, I thought of Isaiah 53: 'He had no beauty or majesty that we should be attracted to him; nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.' So there he was, on the stage at Kehilat ha Carmel , where he has stood, and where we were greatly blessed to meet and hear him, proclaiming the True Gospel to Jews, Gentiles and Arabs, bringing them together to worship Messiah King Yeshua. And he showed that he will do this until his last breath!<br />
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"God's saints do not have it easy. Perfection is not attained on the road of comfort.<br />
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Philippians 1:29: For it has been granted to you on behalf of Messiah not only to believe on Him but also to suffer for Him.<br />
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Shabbat Shalom!<br />
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<i>Postscript:</i><br />
<i>Pastor David Davis passed into Glory on May 8, 2017. His suffering in this life has come to an end and he is fully transformed into the perfection of the One he served so selflessly and passionately in the Land of Israel!</i>Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-15431712854296827202017-06-06T09:13:00.001-06:002017-06-06T09:13:45.071-06:00Will He Find Faith on the Earth?<i>"...when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8</i><br />
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This question that Yeshua presented to His disciples has been ruminating in my spirit for days now. I believe it came to me when listening to several recent accounts of terrorism in Middle Eastern countries where Muslim terrorists killed Christians after they refused to speak the faith statement of Islam, thus renouncing their faith in Yeshua. They did not stutter, they did not hesitate. They refused boldly, immediately. And they were killed boldly and immediately.<br />
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Perhaps Yeshua is challenging His disciples to think about the kind of faith that will be needed on the earth when it causes their lives to be taken. In the verses just prior to His question He says,<i> "...will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:7-8</i><br />
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This Scripture is all about the persistent widow who pestered the judge, asking for justice against her adversary. Even the earthly, unjust judge finally gives in and grants her request for justice, since he is weary of her bothering him. So Yeshua makes the point that God, the Righteous Judge, will bring about perfect justice for His "chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night."<br />
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So, we may be thinking, "What kind of justice was this, Lord, when they held fast to their faith in you and then got their heads cut off?" Let us follow it through. What happened when they refused the false creed of Islam? I tell you that what happened is that our God saw that they got justice and quickly...as He carried their spirits<i> immediately</i> to Himself! In the moment that they professed true faith, they were with the Lord of Faith.<br />
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In Hebrew the word faith is <i>emunah. </i>This Hebrew word is defined not only as faith, but also as steadfast, established, stable. Jonathan Cahn wrote, "The more faith you have, the more steady and the more established you become." True faith establishes us on the Rock of Yeshua, who is immovable.<br />
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Yeshua is telling us in Luke 18 that we should be like the widow, crying out to Him day and night. You may be thinking, "Yes, I've been crying out to Him day and night for a long time, but it doesn't seem like He's hearing me." What you are missing is that the consistent communication you have with the Lord is building relationship, trust, and faith. You are never bothering God! As you continue to speak to Him and cry out to Him, He is writing your name and your faith in His Book of Life. We don't cry out to one we cannot trust. We cry out, trusting that His timing and His understanding of all things in our life is perfect and complete. We cry out, believing that when it matters most, He will see that we get justice and quickly!<br />
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Pray for faith that makes you steady, strong and established in Messiah. Then if you come to a day where your faith is challenged and your life threatened by your adversary, you will not hesitate and you will not fear. You will remember your Righteous Judge who will see that <i>you </i>get justice and quickly!<br />
<br />Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616228984810358583.post-14200056131384954872017-05-18T06:41:00.000-06:002017-05-18T06:41:14.759-06:00Lovers of SelfThis is a glorious week of celebrating my granddaughter and her many accomplishments. She, like hundreds of thousands of others, will graduate from high school this weekend. She is beautiful and incredibly talented. Winner of many awards and scholarships, a 4.3 GPA student, the star of the high school musical, and an absolutely amazing jazz drummer, there is a definite tendency for me to make an "idol" of this grandchild!<br />
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But it was her mother (my own daughter) who convicted me - and hopefully a room-full of high school seniors and their parents - about that temptation.<br />
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My daughter is a choir teacher and P.E. instructor at the small high school where her kids go. She has brought the music program there to such a high standard that this past year her show choir (including two of my grandchildren) performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and at Denver University, both by invitation. I am proud of her for that, but that's not what makes me MOST proud of this child of mine.<br />
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She was asked to give the keynote address at the Baccalaureate ceremony for the graduating seniors last night. The local pastor who introduced her said, "Mrs. C. has been asked to speak to you tonight and there is a reason we invited her. She is a teacher who wears her faith in Jesus Christ on her sleeve. <b>There is never any doubt where she stands.</b>"<br />
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Tears caught in my throat as the full import of what he just said - in a public school - hit my mind and my heart. "There is never any doubt where she stands." I thought about all her talents, and my grandchildren's talents, and how little all that will matter when they DO stand before the Righteous Judge of all the earth! He probably won't mention my daughter's tremendous skill on the piano or my granddaughter's thrilling drum performances. But He WILL mention the unwavering faith and public testimony that they shared, drawing people to know HIM.<br />
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My daughter's message had shock value for the students. I watched her engage them eye-to-eye and tell them, "You are graduating this week and everybody is celebrating YOU, but I'm telling you that IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU! Social media and Facebook make it all about you. You take selfies and share them and post all about yourself every day. You become self-absorbed. But it's NOT ALL ABOUT YOU! It's about the One who gave you these gifts and blessings."<br />
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What a powerful word for this generation - and even for us parents and grandparents who get caught in the social media mentality! I came home after hearing this message from my own daughter and watched the news with my husband. There were more videos - as there are night after night - of people in violent brawls with each other. People are bloodying one another's faces and bodies over airline seats and last night, over the <i>seats at a graduation ceremony</i>! As I watched this horrific sight, I thought of the Scripture that tells us, "<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">lovers</b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">of</b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> <b>themselves...</b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">self</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">-control, brutal, not </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">lovers</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><i>o</i><i>f</i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><i><b> </b>the good, ... (2 Timothy 3:3)</i></span></span><br />
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There it is! The warning my daughter was trying to get across to her students was prophesied over 2000 years ago. We <i>are</i> in that day of the LOVERS OF SELF. I was convicted by her message and my heart was awake much of this past night, praying that the young generation who heard her words was also convicted. They have worked hard in their studies and they've developed talents and skills for which we laud them. And yet - what will they be rewarded for in the end? Only a faith so strong in the One who created and blessed and loved them, that<b> THERE WAS NO DOUBT WHERE THEY STOOD.</b>Doorkeeper Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15670142280851336080noreply@blogger.com