God says in Isaiah 41 that He plants all these beautiful, fragrant, life-giving trees in the middle of the desert. Long before we walk that way with Him, He has prepared for our sustenance and encouragement. The wilderness way is a season of drawing close to Jesus, leaning on Him. Just as the manna (bread from Heaven) fed the Israelites daily for 40 years, so Jesus, the True Bread of Life from Heaven, sustains us in the wilderness. He draws us into times of external harshness to teach us how much He loves us and how powerful He is to meet every need. His presence is enough to turn every Valley of Trouble into a Door of Hope! Every wasteland flows with fresh rivers of His tender, faithful care. The purpose of a wilderness season is to deepen our experience of Him and to walk out with Him in utter victory, like Jesus Himself did in Luke 4:1 and 5:16.
Song of Songs 8:5
Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved?
Isaiah 41:17-20
As the God of Israel I will not forsake them. “I will open rivers on the bare heights and springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry land fountains of water.
19 “I will put the cedar in the wilderness, the acacia and the myrtle and the olive tree; I will place the juniper in the desert together with the fir and the cypress,that they may see and recognize,
and consider and gain insight as well, that the hand of the Lord has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Isaiah 35:6
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Jeremiah 2:2
This is what the Lord says: “‘I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the wilderness, through a land not sown.
Hosea 2:14-15
Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.
15 There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor ("trouble") a door of hope.
There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.
Like wearing sunglasses on a cloudy day, faith sees the eternal goodness and glory of God as the truest reality, no matter what the immediate circumstances are.
I am in the middle of a 40 day fast. Worship and Bible reading have been electric and powerful! While soaking in the Presence yesterday, I felt God's whisper that this is a season of the secret place where transformation takes place, like a butterfly's time in the cocoon. Turns out there is one butterfly whose time in the chrysalis is exactly 40 days: the Queen Alexandra's Birdwing. The wings you see in the picture are this butterfly's actual wings...so beautiful! And it just so happens to be my favorite colors! I couldn't resist making this picture! I already feel the working of Christ's power within...and I know He won't stop His good work until I am utterly transformed into His likeness!
Psalm 17:15
As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness;
I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.
This has a different flavor than the picture I made yesterday. The first one showed leaving a dark and empty place out into glory. But God refined my perception today: the cocoon isn't always a dark and ugly place, but rather a sacred secret place. A place of intimacy, rest, hiding in Him, and sweet times in the Scriptures...all while He works the miraculous transformations! This is the time I am in, and it is glorious as well! 2 Corinthians 3:18 says: "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." Some translations say from "glory to glory"...so wherever you are in the transformation journey is glorious! If you are in Christ, then you are in glory! From then on it is all a metamorphosis of ever-increasing glories! Enjoy the stage you are in, and always press into His heart for the next glory!
During worship, I saw myself standing under a waterfall of God's love and goodness. I was so thirsty, but I was trying to quench my thirst by filling and re-filling a thimble, frustrated that it was never enough to even wet my tongue. I eventually dropped the thimble and used a cup, which satisfied a bit more, but still not enough for my parched heart. Neither did the pitcher. Finally, I gave up on trying to contain the flow, and just stood under it, letting it wash over me in completely lavish abundance. I cannot gather up enough of God's love to slake my everlasting thirst. Nor am I meant to. There is no end to the powerful torrent of His love for me! I need not fear a drought of this Living Water! I can abandon all attempts at containing and hoarding His love and just be in the middle of it, right this moment, drenched, and satiated. I cannot earn His love, therefore I do not have to ration it based on performance or my perceived worth. He has lavished His love upon me and will do so throughout eternity, because I am in Christ, His beloved Son. Are you thirsty?
"Beautiful Breakthrough"
This is a vision I had for a friend who is finding freedom from alcohol addiction. But as I looked at it when I finished, I realized that it is for me, too, and indeed for anyone. The wine glass represents the desire to manage life through addiction, control, a comfort zone, image, etc., which ends up only containing, restraining, reducing, isolating, and defining us. Jesus is calling us out into LIFE: the adventure of authentic relationship with Him. Though walking on the ocean waves seems risky, being with Him makes it the safest place! I will not sit in the life-stifling stagnation of my illusion of control...I will be brave and trust He loves me enough to enable me to walk on the waves with Him! I want to be with Him, wherever He is going!
"God's Not Dead"
Something about my son's passion, confidence, and composed determination captured my heart in the source photo for this picture. Not fully grown or fully strong, yet his gaze and heart are quietly ferocious, like he knows Who has his back! I love his choice of equipment as well: a superhero's mask, a kingly sword, and a shofar to sound the victory! You are stronger than you know, my son! May you never question your destiny or the strength of the One who roars through you! You were born to unleash Heaven as an offense to darkness! As are we all!
"My Delight Is In Her"
My beautiful, vivacious daughter loves animals, especially those that live in the ocean. Nothing brings a smile to her face or a sparkle to her eye like talking about, learning about, seeing, or interacting with animals. A few weeks ago, when she was having a rough day, God gave me a message for her. He impressed me to tell her that He LOVES how much she loves His creatures! He took care and pleasure in making them and her wonder in them gives Him glory! As I painted this picture, I felt His intense pleasure over her: her beauty, her intensity, her heart that is as big and deep as the ocean. Daughter, never forget that the One who fashioned such delights in the earth also fashioned you! You are the sparkle in His eye, and He calls you His delight!
"Wave After Wave"
The following song has been an anthem and heart cry for me the past couple of weeks. I feel His love and presence so close and fierce and wonderful, and it just keeps coming, like endless waves! He is calling me deeper in and further out into the ocean of His love...and He makes me brave enough to dive in! Perfect love casts out fear...in His love I am fearless!
~~~
As Your love in wave after wave crashes over me, crashes over me.
You are for me, You are not against me
Champion of Heaven, You made a way for all to enter in
You make me brave, You make me brave
You call me out beyond the shore into the waves
You make me brave, You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the Love that made a way
You make me brave, You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the promises You made
We say no to fear, we say yes to love
we will follow You where You're leading us
~~~
As Your love in wave after wave crashes over me, crashes over me.
You are for me, You are not against me
Champion of Heaven, You made a way for all to enter in
You make me brave, You make me brave
You call me out beyond the shore into the waves
You make me brave, You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the Love that made a way
You make me brave, You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the promises You made
We say no to fear, we say yes to love
we will follow You where You're leading us
~~~
"Comfort In The Trial"
A picture I received during prayer for the victims of the Black Forest fire, July 2013: I see you sitting and feeling empty, weeping over your loss, but you are not alone, God is hovering over you. His tears join with yours as He carries the weight of the burdens of loss, grief, and devastation. Under the protection of His great love for you, He has created a safe space for you to mourn. And for you to start again. Symbolic colors: Gold=mercy; Cream=healing; Blue=eternal presence of God; Green=restoration, new beginning, joy in hope; Pink=God's heavenly care for His children.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:17, 18
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:17, 18
"Beauty For Ashes"
Intercession piece for all those affected by wildfires, in Colorado and elsewhere, today (July, 2013) and at anytime. May your ashes fade in the beauty of His Holiness, may your despair give way to unspeakable joy, may your sacrifice of praise lift you up, and may you know comfort in the glory of His rightness in you.
(based on Isaiah 61:3)
(based on Isaiah 61:3)
"Safe Hiding Place"
This is for a friend, who needed encouragement that God was her Safe Place through the storms of life. He is a refuge of peace and promise, where we can rest and dream (dandelions) under His faithful care (pink).
"Impossible is Nothing"
The hummingbird represents impossibilities and dreams fulfilled. There are things you think are impossible, and dreams you feel you will never see. But God is smiling over you! Go ahead and take off, you will see the impossible!
"Comforted"
This picture comes from a couple of things...the first being an experience I had 10 years ago: I had just been in an accident and was mostly unconscious in the ambulance. One of the very few things I remember from that ride to the hospital was a moment when I heard God say to me, "Don't be afraid. I am with you." Immediately, the most incredible, tangible peace I've ever known (before or since) flooded my mind, heart, and body. The second source came while I was praying for a friend who had just been in a car accident and had a possible broken neck. As I prayed, I saw her laying in a hospital bed, Jesus right beside her. He had one hand on her chest, stilling the fear and adrenaline; and the other hand was under her head, bringing healing to the injury.
Song of Solomon 2:6
"His left hand is under my head and His right hand embraces me."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction..."
Isaiah 49:13
"Shout for joy, O heavens! And rejoice, O earth!Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains!For the Lord has comforted His peopleAnd will have compassion on His afflicted."
"Never Alone"
When life seems to leave you out, don't pine away; look around! Father God is upholding you, Jesus' Kingly robe is surrounding you, and Holy Spirit is filling the space of your life! You are never alone!
"Prayer Harbor"
Based on a word a friend had for his family: that their home would be a place of encounter with God's love and mercy, a safe haven where wandering and brokenness can cease and healing can begin. Also, depicting the change of seasons for them, from the shifting seas of transition to established fruitfulness in God's provision.
"Intercession for America"
Based on a vision of a friend: The believer/Body of Christ in repentance and intercession is outraged and heartbroken because of all the darkness, kneeling on the foundation of our country, protected by mighty angels, as the tears of God fall, releasing new redemption(red) revelation(blue) and purity(white) to the land.
"Safe"
Based on a vision of a friend: from Zechariah 2:5 "For I, declares the Lord, shall be a wall of fire around her and I will be the glory in her midst." So, in Christ, we are safe and freed from all of the junk and darkness that has haunted us in the past and we are filled with the glory of God!
"Hand Made"
He is the potter and we are the clay. To know that God, the Great Creator has formed me by hand gives an honor and beauty that nothing else can. Also, to remember that I am not finished yet! He is still fashioning me into His likeness!
"Wise"
Proverbs 15:30-32
Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones. He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to instruction acquires understanding.
Proverbs 13:14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
Good understanding produces favor.
Good understanding produces favor.
"Strong and Courageous"
The root photo here was a snapshot of my 4 yr old son, dressed in his jammies and kinght's helmet with his play sword in hand. I love the fire in his eyes, revealing the raw courage in his soul to slay every imaginary dragon! I know one day those foes won't be imaginary, and I pray he stays courageous to fend off every advance of darkness with the fire of God's Spirit burning bright within him!
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
"Joyful!"
Psalm 89:14-16
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You. How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O Lord, they walk in the light of Your countenance. In Your name they rejoice all the day, and by Your righteousness they are exalted.
"Wildflower Heart"
This was inspired and made for a dear friend. With all of her interests, talents, dreams, duties, and roles in life, she can sometimes feel that life is a scattered, chaotic, jumbled mess...but she knows that God sees her life as flourishing and beautiful like a field of wildflowers!
Inspired by the song by the same title sung by Kim Walker-Smith:
"I'm gonna waste it all on You. I'm gonna pour my heart's perfume. I don't care if I'm called a fool, I'm wasting it all on You...I will spend all my days giving back the love You gave...All for love and all for me, You gave it all for me to be, alive in You and You in me, Lord, I surrender to Your love, and to Your touch, and to the way You give too much, I'm too in love to not be all for You."
"HOPE"
I see a person dancing over a gorge, and as they dance in faith there is a bridge that forms under their feet. Hope for the goodness of God, paired with the faith to step out into what He said, carries us into realms of seeing the impossible materialize. The person is green to represent growth, freshness, and permission; the bridge is incomplete because the nature of Hope is to see with faith what isn't there yet, and to walk into it confident in the faithfulness of God; where the bridge leads is also obscured, because often we don't see clearly that far ahead; the mist is golden to represent the glory and goodness of God, which is the one thing we do know for certain.
Romans 8:24-25
For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 4:17-21
Abraham, who is the father of us all,(as it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.
Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
"Do Not Worry"
Matthew 6:26-30
Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you?
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Romans 6:4
Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
"Poverty Mindset"
I see Christians standing dejected and starving in front of a table full of good food. Unaware or unwilling, they do not partake of the rich bounty God has provided for us! He has made everything available to us! Lift up your eyes! Taste and see that the Lord is good!
I see Christians standing dejected and starving in front of a table full of good food. Unaware or unwilling, they do not partake of the rich bounty God has provided for us! He has made everything available to us! Lift up your eyes! Taste and see that the Lord is good!
Song of Solomon 2:4
He has brought me to his banquet hall, And his banner over me is love.
Psalm 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
Psalm 16:11
You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
John1:6
For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
John 6:35
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.
Psalm 19:7-10
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Song of Solomon 1:2-3
May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine. Your oils have a pleasing fragrance, Your name is like purified oil; Therefore the maidens love you.
"Pulling Down Heaven"
Matthew 6:10
Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
"Precious"
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Psalm 139:16-18
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.
"Goodness and Mercy"
Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
"Playing In The Presence"
I watch my children playing in our house while my husband and I worship. God is not offended by their childlikeness, in fact He welcomes them into His Presence, with all of their energy, imagination, enthusiasm, and simple, yet profound faith.
Matthew 19:13-14
Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
"Rest"
Matthew 11:28
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Psalm 46:10
Be still and know that I am God.
"Like a Dream"
This is a personal vision I had concerning a breakthrough journey I started over a year ago. To encourage me in this, God led me to the passage in Acts 12 where Peter is imprisoned and in the night an angel comes to escort him to freedom. Peter follows and as every chain, door, and gate opens so easily, he assumes it is a dream. The angel leaves him outside the prison and Peter then realizes that it isn't a dream...he is free!
My children releasing praise in the earth with a trumpet blast! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
"Learning to Be"
Lost in the weighty glory of His presence; simply being in the cloud of fellowship with God.
Lost in the weighty glory of His presence; simply being in the cloud of fellowship with God.
Matthew 7:11
If you then know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
"Well Pleased"
Luke 3:22
The Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “ You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”
Romans 8:1-2
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
Galations 3:26
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Romans 5:19
For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.
Ephesians 2:4-8
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
1 Corinthians 1:30
But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption
Ephesians 4:23-24
be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Romans 8:29
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren
Galatians 4:6-7
Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
1 John 2:23-24
Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
1 John 5:11-12
And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.
John 15:9
Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
1 John 4:13
By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
"Voice of the Dawn"
The voice of the dawn is calling me, Awake! Awake! The voice of the dawn is calling me. There's no way for me to sleep any longer. Awake! Awake! - Heather Clark "Searching for the Lord"
"Reap In Joy"
I woke up with a dream playing in my head: I saw a person walking through soft dirt and as they walked, their tears fell on the ground; wherever the tears fell, a wheat stalk would spring up and grow until they had a full harvest. The Scripture on my mind was Psalm 126:5 "Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting."
"Now and Not Yet"
Let the love of Jesus break the ties to the dead life of your old nature; move fearlessly, hopefully, faithfully towards abundant life in Him! Each of us is in transition, experiencing freedom, hoping in the promise of the fullness of Life that is Christ...but still navigating this world until the Day when all the fullness of His promises are revealed!
Proverbs 31:21
She is not afraid of the snow because all her household are clothed with scarlet.
"Sonshine Boys"
Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’
Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
"Compassion"
Compassion stands in the place of intercession (in the natural or spiritual realms) on behalf of someone who cannot stand for themselves. This act connects us to those we cover with beautiful, life-giving love. Conversely, the love we carry compels us to act for their benefit.
"Safe"
Red = love of God; Purple = covering; Gold = goodness of God; Green = growth, life
Psalm 91:1, 4
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty...He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
Malachi 4:2
But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings
Song of Solomon 2:4
He has brought me to his banquet hall, And his banner over me is love.
Psalm 27:13
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
Isaiah 40:31
Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles.
"Good Soil"
When we reach the end of ourselves, that is the place of sweetest surrender, where we say "Hineni. Here I am." In utter trust and unshakeable love, our hearts come alive with faith and hope in our God of the impossible!
"Innocent Ones"
Lately I've been praying for Sudan, for the millions of abused, enslaved, persecuted, and oppressed who live there. My intercession centers on praying for a generation of innocent ones, supernaturally preserved from the cycles of hatred and violence, Moses-minded in order to lead their country to a new season of freedom; the Sun of Righteousness rising with healing for them; the enemies of darkness that have plagued their land fleeing from them in seven directions. Deuteronomy 28:7 Isaiah 58:6, 8, 11-12 Malachi 4:1-3 Isaiah 61:6-7
"Alive"
Romans 6:11
Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:4-7
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace inkindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
"Cleft of the Rock"
Song of Solomon 2:14
O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret place of the steep pathway, Let me see your form, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your form is lovely.
"His Treasure"
This picture is in honor of Deimante, a 7-year-old Lithuanian girl who was forced into prostitution with government officials by her own mother. As shocking as her story is, she is not alone. And though she is one of millions living in this situation on the earth today, in God's eyes she is one in a million: His special treasure. Her innocence was traded for money, but I pray that she comes to know the priceless treasure she is. Incidently, her name means "diamond." 
"One Flesh"
As husband and wife, we are to be a strength and encouragement to each other. He is my covering, I am his core. He protects me when I am weak; I hold him up when he is tired. This is God's design for marriage...and it is beautiful and fulfilling! 
As I come from the Most Holy Place (the glory of God's intimate presence), I have been equipped, empowered, and authorized to walk as a member of His Royal Warring Priesthood!
Isaiah 1:18, "Come now, and let us reason together,"Says the LORD," Though your sins are as scarlet,They will be as white as snow;Though they are red like crimson,They will be like wool."
Psalm 51:7, "Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."
This term seems especially fitting on this Easter where it snowed the night before here! Thank You, Jesus!
I was listening to the song, "How He Loves" and was captured by the phrase "If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking". I thought, "I don't want to sink aimlessly in His ocean of grace...I want to plunge and dive to His depths!" As I pondered this, I saw a person diving with speed and power through different layers of waters. The Bible says we are transformed from glory to glory, each layer of relationship with God is glorious! At each layer we have the opportunity to level off and float. But there is always a new layer, a new depth, a new glory to discover and experience with Him! Dive deeper!
During a worship time I was laying on my back and just enjoying the peace of God's Presence. I had the sensation of floating on a smooth sea...gently rising and falling on waves of love. I wasn't swimming, but just floating, being carried away on a vast ocean of His goodness!
Red represents Jesus' blood; Purple is for intercession and covering; Green is for growth and blessing; Gold represents God's glory; Blue pictures Heaven; and White is for purity. As the mother is in worship, God's love pours over her. His intercession, which passes over her and, through her, over her children provides a covering. Inside, there is an enviornment of God's glory, spiritual growth, and purity. Her children are at peace, able to wade gently into the unending, deep waters of Heaven.
"Perfect Love Drives Out Fear"
God is blowing you a kiss! Can you feel His breath blow over you? In His perfect love, there is glory(yellow), redemption (red), and life (green), as it washes over you, it brings you peace, reminding you that you are royalty (purple) and it drives away the darkness that would crowd and cloud your heart.
Let your heart go back to days of carefree abandon without worry, days of the passionate pursuit of joy, days of utter dependance upon Daddy to take care of all the important stuff, days of believing in impossible dreams, days of innocence and trust and playfulness. Let His love take you there!
I saw God's hand holding out a golden key which has a city skyline. And He said, "I have given you the Key to the City in which you live. Take up My authority and use it to lock and unlock, bind and release in the spiritual realm of your region. Intercessor, permission is granted to release Heaven!"
I see seeds of the Spirit that God has planted being watered by golden rain falling from a golden cloud of Glory. From Left to Right: Bamboo = Grace; Violet = Faith; Almond = Hope; Cattail = Peace; Jasmine = Love; Oak = Righteousness; Chrysanthemum = Joy.
One day, during worship, I felt God prompt me to lay on my back, as I did I saw in my mind's eye Him and I laying on a grassy field looking up at the night sky. He was pointing out wonders of the heavens to me, and as He would point to something, it was as if I could zoom in to see the beauties of deep space as He sees them. He showed me this one particularly gorgeous galaxy, swirling in brillient colors and glowing with the light of billions of stars. As I marveled at it, He whispered in my ear, "Your heart of worship towards Me is more beautiful to Me than all of this!"
This picture I got for my husband, who has to make many decisions in operating his business. I believe the hand of God guides and instructs him in this!
Praying for strength and peace in Japan, as they cope with the wake of the earthquake and tsunami.
Psalm 29:10-11
The Lord sat as King at the flood;
Yes, the Lord sits as King forever.
11 The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace.
Song of Solomon 2:6
Enjoying the dance of life with Jesus often requires great trust, but offers also great intimacy, joy, and beauty! Lean back, He's got you!
Isaiah 41:15-20
When you are facing a wilderness season, know that God has already planted these beautiful, fragrant, life-giving, trees to strengthen and refresh you along the way!
Whatever chains are holding you in bondage, in Jesus you have the power, the right, and the authority to move beyond them. Notice that she is not kicking, stomping, or karate-chopping the chains...she is simply stepping out, confidently, gracefully, and the chain cannot hold her back! Whatever big, black chain you're facing, this is YOU in Christ!
Again, this picture came to me as I prayed for a certain man's healing, but I know it has a much broader application towards all men. I saw this man standing with arms outstretched and the giant, mighty, yet tender hand of God reaching out to touch him. Where the finger of God touched his chest, there was a flash of brilliant light, and all that was wrong with the man's body, soul, and heart was made right and well as God's power flowed through him. God's love for you is so overwhelming that you don't have to convince Him to touch you...just receive it!
Being filled to the brim with the Holy Spirit and God's love. His love is better than wine!
The communion found when two (or more) of God's people, filled with His Spirit, praise Him together...like full wine glasses clinking in toast!
God says, "Hang on! I am going to take you to new heights and new depths at great speeds! Don't be afraid. I am sitting beside you. Enjoy the ride with Me!"
A friend had a picture of me with three flames of the Holy Spirit dancing over my head. This is my visualization of that!
In Christ, we have a shield against the enemy's attacks. Whatever the enemy means to destroy us, through faith in Jesus and what He did for our freedom, those curses will become blessings. Living in the "instead" of God!
Isaiah 61:3
To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.
I see a dam bursting out upon a person and sweeping them away. In the same way, Joy will come and carry you through your days! Forceful, gushing, powerful Joy!
I got this picture while praying for a friend going on a missions trip. They are going to serve and minister love to the people, and at first I couldn't reconcile a hammer with love. But God impressed on me that the Truth and Love of Jesus that they carry is a mighty force to break the darkness off of the people there and release them into His glorious light!