My day has been different. My heart has been different. My attitude has been different.
My outlook has been changed!
I was going to wait until the morning to write this all out......but my heart could not wait.
I started my morning off knowing that today was going to be trying, four sleep deprived girly's running around Chuck E Cheese for three endless hours, was enough to set my nerves on HIGH today. Thank goodness I had two sweet friends along side of me with their wild bunches too!
Came home, put the girls in "BE STILL" mode and finally got to my quiet time today. And trust me when I say, I was having a lot of heart issues this morning.
Dealing with things like, "Why is everyone banking on Christ returning any day now?" and "Lord, why do you allow such tragic things to happen in our lives?" and "God, why am I experiencing this stillness in my soul this week?" and "Lord, I REALLY don't want to deal with this situation anymore..."
So I just got quiet.....quiet before God. I sat. I waited. I worshiped. I was still some more. I listened to a few of my favorite worship songs and again......sat at his feet. There were no tears, no "a ha" moments, nothing incredible. Just me and God, still and quiet.
And then it came. I went to church. I went to revival. I went to meet my God on His holy ground. And there He was. His presence was real, his words were strong...his intercession was incredible.
I discovered something earlier in my quiet time that didn't make sense to me until this evening. God said, "Nicki, righteousness is standing UPRIGHT before me. Is this what you long for? Then get up off your face."
And this man who preached, Roc Collins, HE WAS INCREDIBLE. A fire flowed through our sanctuary and I cried out to God, "It's about time Lord!!!" And I caught that fire, and I didn't want that fire to go out! It was amazing to me how we can be in the presence of GOD.......and then just stop. It's just so odd to me. I mean, I know we have "time concerns" but...do we quench the spirit......just when it starts moving??? Roc talked about what it meant to lift our hands.....righteous hands before God. He preached the name "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" over and over again!! He was SO filled with passion and love for God, oh it just blessed my soul away!!
And then, there was more!!!......
Going through the Valley.
Dr. Junior Hill preached. He shared his heart that as we are passing through the valley, there are some very important things to remember. "The Process of passing through the valley must NEVER be mistaken for the PURPOSE." He was a very funny older man, surprised me. It was comforting, like hearing a grandfather love on his children!
And then there was more worship.....and more prayer. And decisions and blessings that followed!! God is good! He is alive! Yes, one day He's coming back, but until then.......we have a message to share. One of Hope, Peace, Love and that God sent his son, Jesus Christ to be our mediator. He made the way for you and I!
So as I reflect upon my day........and upon these past few days where my mind has wandered into the mind of God (trying to figure Him out), rather than the heart of God (loving Him because HE'S GOD)........I have returned. My heart has been made alive. I am more ready than ever for Him to stand me up, get off my face.....there is no need to be there anymore and I need to not allow my heart to go there. There are times when I have desperately needed to be ON MY FACE, flat out in front of him. But for now, he has said, "Stand up, let's go."
What is to come? I don't know......there are no plans, no A,B or C. It's just "Lord........my hands are up. Grab me and lead the way! Let's go!!"
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Revival....
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13 comments:
Stumbled across your blog tonight. I have 3 girly girls too (7, 5, and 2). Will you be at She Speaks? Me too!
Good for you!
Revival can be a great time of moving forward! They have a special place in my heart as that is where I heard about Jesus!
Have a great day today~
Jen
Oh, I hate that I missed that last night - I will have to listen to those sermons. My brother's birthday was yesterday and we met them for dinner last night - I made it to the other services but knew that I was going to have to miss it last night. Glad you were able to go! Have fun the rest of the week with the girls!
Nikki,
I am glad that your church had such a fruitful revival. I am intrigued by the comment of the preacher "The Process of passing through the valley must NEVER be mistaken for the PURPOSE." Can you give us a glimpse of what he meant by that? So interesting...
Wow, Wow I too have had some of the same thoughts lately and I am in much need of Quit time with the Lord, Oh I need to get with him and just listen. Encouraging post for me I am glad to feel the power through your post.
Hey Marla! Thanks for coming by! Yes, I will be at she Speaks this year! And I can't believe your girly's are the same age!! That's so neat!!
Hey Sarah! Thanks for your question! This is what I took from that statement.....so many times when we are going through the valley we think that is the purpose.....to go through it. But his words were meant as an encouragement like, "Don't focus on the why's of going through it so much". When we are in the valley it's hard to see any kind of purpose, but God always has one. Does that make sense??? I'm a little sleepy this morning, I hope so! =) Thanks girl!
No girl....sill scraping. The bathroom is coming down...rather easily but the border is not...I think it is because it was applied over fresh paint which served as SUPER glue....it is coming down but one tiny piece at a time....it is like picking a price tag off of a piece of glass...Dreadful.....just dreadful...but I have Warren barfield CD and I listen to the entire CD while picking and scraping...then when the CD ends I walk away and try again a little later. One moment at a time.....Thanks for asking.
I know I wasn't invited, so I hope it's ok if I chime in here! Seems to me that the purpose of the process is ALWAYS to bring us closer to our destiny. Sometimes God offends our mind to reveal our heart, because he needs us to recognize some of the weeds that need to be pulled out of us.
Other times we are growing and learning and experiencing more of Him but always with the same purpose. We were each created with a unique destiny - things God has given only us to do. No one else can do exactly what you were created for exactly the way you're supposed to do it!
I love you thoughts and your heart... and congratulations on three beautiful girlz!
I have been trying to understand the mind of God. You are right--who can do that? Not I.
But I like the idea of understanding His heart.
Interesting.
This goes along with something else someone told me yesterday.
Time to think on these things.
Thank you!
It only takes a spark to get a fire going.........
Praise the Lord, I am so excited for you. I don't know how you went to sleep last night. Oh and how is spring break at your house going? Just a few more days.
Kim.....oh I hate that scrapping part!!! Keep going!! I hope you'll post some pics!!! I'm sure it's going to look great when it's all done!
Hi Madison! Thanks for your comment! I think you are exactly right on! We are all here for a unique and individual purpose in Him and only WE can do that!! =) AMEN!
Sharon, I know....our minds are very much alike. I think that's why we connect through this blogosphere!
Stephanie, we're hanging in....one day at a time! and ps- I didn't sleep much last night! =)
Nicki, I just pulled a scripture card out yesterday, and it was the one from Jeremiah 17,
"9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
10I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins,..."
To me the valley helps us see our hearts, so that we grow those deep roots in Him, making us ready to stand securely on the top of the mountain, able to sustain the winds that blow at the top of the mountain! Able to draw from His waters in times of drought around us.
Good thoughts!
Maria
Last night was incredible! I pray that the fire will not go out either. God is working!
Thanks for your prayers :) It means so much to us!
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