Same, yet Different

I have postponed writing this entry as I was going to have to confront and put into words the results of what the Lord revealed to me while I was there. To begin, I will state that the trip to New Orleans was surreal. I was uncertain if I should even go or not because I didn’t know what feelings it would stir up being that I haven’t been back there since tying up several loose ends from my first marriage. However, as soon as the vehicle topped the bridge that overlooks the city, the Lord confirmed I was sitting in the same predicament I was in back then. A few months ago, I over heard someone talking about New Orleans and how they immediately felt the spirit of death there. Well, I concur…as it manifested itself in my life as the death of two love stories I tried to create instead of allowing the Lord to orchestrate and lead.

As I am writing this, the Lord is encouraging me to compare where I was spiritually back then to where I am now…. Well, before, I intentionally turned away from Him and towards things of the world for a distraction to deal with the shame and condemnation I felt. Now, I am running into His presence every opportunity I can to abide in His rest and I have been giving Him permission to heal several of those hidden places that I tried to heal the world’s way instead of His. I praise Him and thank Him that I know where my hope comes from and that He is my Comforter, my strength, and my Helper during this transition of endings, but yet new beginnings.

Metamorphosis

Oh I love that I am getting to spend time with the ladies at the Transformation Home home. It’s been neat to watch how the Lord uses that time to bring forth not just an opportunity for fun, but to pray, heal, and reveal Himself to them…and yes, to me too!

Merry Christmas!

This was a season of returning to my roots. I was invited to play in West Jackson’s Christmas musical, put together a puzzle with my parents and help mom pass out candy canes at our local hospital on Christmas Day. I even caught myself sitting at the keyboard in my parent’s family room playing Christmas hymns. What a beautiful way to remember the night when love came down (Luke 2:1-20).

reviveTUPELO

Today, I was on Gary’s team and we hit the street in the baptismal. We drove around awhile until we felt led to turn into an apartment complex on Green Street.

One of the members on my team waved at a gentleman driving by and immediately waved back and pulled over to speak to us. We knew at that moment we were right where we needed to be then. When we asked him if there was anything we could pray for him about, he said he wanted to get saved. I think all of our jaws dropped at his response! We led him through the scriptures and he made Jesus Lord of his life! The second person we encountered was asked how we could pray for him, and his response was for salvation! Again, we were shocked and amazed at how ripe the field was for harvest!

I began walking as I noticed a sweet lady standing on her patio looking at the baptismal. I waved and she motioned for me to come over to her. After prayer and dialogue, she showed me her revive bracelet she had been wearing for a year. We exchanged numbers and she agreed to call me for a ride to church the following Sunday! What a glorious day the Lord has made!

From that complex, we ended up in another one. I approached a young lady walking her dog. I just spoke to her for a little bit and as I was petting her dog, several children came running up. I asked them if they would like a bracelet and they did. One of the children exclaimed they recognized one of the verses on the band. With their caregiver’s permission, I went through all 5 of the scriptures with them and they were able to explain what each meant. One of the children agreed to show their Sunday School teacher tomorrow! The Lord just birthed a new evangelist in the upcoming generation! Breath on him, breath of God, breath!

Joshua 4

What an honor it was to get to help train and equip the next round of TTR’s team members! During the commissioning, I felt like a proud mom watching her children graduate into the next season of their lives.

When we had some free time, I had the joy of getting to spend some quality time with the wives and children of two of our staff. It was refreshing to get to be around like minded believers and watch them love their families well.

Another highlight from the trip was Kyle announcing they have begun the first reviveSCHOOL group in Israel! God is on the move!

Grateful Hearts!

Thanksgiving Day I got to hit the streets with these beauties! Our church made up plates so we could pass them out. As we walked up to the first door, we heard worship music blaring. The family invited us in and shared their prayer requests. It was beautiful as we naturally formed a circle, held hands and prayed.

During the last stop the youngest girls (who are residing in our church’s recovery home) gave the remaining plates to a gentleman working on his truck. He invited them inside and shut the door. I immediately knew something was not right and I needed to go in and check on them. They both were ready to leave as soon as I entered the house. As it turned out, the girlfriend was in active addiction and they witnessed where they would still be if they had not surrendered their addiction to the Lord. Once we got to the car, we debriefed and identified how the enemy meant for that to trip them up. However, the Lord turned it around and they praised Him for their freedom and began interceding for those still held captive in their addiction.

As we got to the church, the four of us ended up in the parking lot in a huddle before we went inside. We literally put our heads together and looked each other in the eyes recognizing how the Lord gave us one another (a new family) to share our victories with and walk along side during this season in our walk with Him! It truly was a day filled with THANKSgiving!

reviveTX :: Laredo

The prayer team was asked to go to Laredo, TX during one of the prepping trips. We were driven by a local pastor to several of the areas he felt had strongholds over the community. We believed the Lord was saying “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

During one of the evening services, I watched the Lord birth anguish. The language was not even a barrier! It was a sight to behold! On Sunday afternoon, we hit the streets. Every local on my team (which ended up being 6) were already equipped and bold in sharing and proclaiming the Gospel. I heard the Lord say the people are thirsty here, not hungry! Whew! I can’t wait to see what happens during the actual outreach!

While the team was praying, we stopped at the river on the Mexican border. We noticed several men on the other side blowing kisses and inviting us over! We are believing that was a prophetic act of how the Lord will use this outreach as a means of opening a door for the ministry to be able to go to Mexico! Until the whole world hears!

5th Sunday

As an extension of reviveTUPELO, my church goes outside of the church building to BE the church every 5th Sunday. As we prayed, we each felt led to go somewhere. I thought we could begin at the coffee shop . As we stood in line, we noticed a fire truck park a crossed the street. One of the girls commented she wished we had picked up some of the cards the children had made for first responders. The firemen came inside and we were able to pray for their protection. I think the firemen were blown away that our church would leave the building and the girls were impressed that the Lord had the first responders come to us instead of us having to seek them out!

We left from there and purchased a meal in hopes of encountering on of the girls who had left Transformation Ranch to stay at the Salvation Army. One of the workers looked over the roster and discovered this individual was no longer residing there. So, without skipping a beat, they prayed for the employees working there. The security officer teared up and I just smiled knowing that was who the Lord wanted to bless!

The next place we went to was an assisted living facility. One of the girl’s mentors lived there and she wanted her to know that she was no longer living on the street, but getting help. The person we were looking for was not there, but we did pray for the mentor’s neighbor and left word for her mentor that we had been by.

The last place we went to was the park. We stopped as we saw two dads playing with their children. We praised them and encouraged them to continue being the father the Lord had created them to be. As we left, they thanked us for noticing their devotion for their kids! It was beautiful! Thank you Lord for the fathers who are pouring into their children and we ask that you place Godly men in the lives of kids with absentee fathers, in the mighty name of Jesus we pray!

A Walk in the Park!

Today, several ministries came together in Ballard Park. It was beautiful as I was able to reconnect with numerous people I have met along my recovery journey. It was also a great reminder of what He’s rescued me from and how far I’ve come in my walk with Him as my Deliverer!

As I shared in a previous post, Jonah is currently residing at the Ranch, which is Anchor Church’s recovery ministry for men. I was pleasantly surprised to see them at this event, so I was able to get an unexpected hug from him!

Thank you Jesus for saving Jonah and for the new freedom he is discovering through You! Lord, I ask that you teach him who he is in You so he can walk in the fullness of You and walk into the purpose You designed for him from the beginning!

CONNECTING!

It was sooo refreshing getting to see the entire TTR team and reconnecting with everyone again! This was the first time we have been together since reviveSCHOOL graduation in January of 2020. We not only caught up on what the Lord was doing in the ministry, but also what He had been speaking to us individually.

Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man person sharpens another.“

Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as in the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”