a child within

Ok... my belly is growing and kicking and I have to admit- it is the best feeling in the world. Who really cares about few extra pounds when there is a mirracle inside of you.
People have been asking me if I was nervous about the labor part to which my answer is "no. Epudural is my new friend". A co-worker of mine asked my opinion on that though : since natural birth is the way God intended it- am I or am I not compromizing my christian stand by using that "magic drug" :). I believe the answer came from the Holy Spirit Himself (well, may be not, but it's so brilliant I dare not take the credit :)). So this is what I told her: "well, you're right, it was intended to be drug-free and painful, but that curse kicked in after the sin entered the planet and painful childbirth is a way of punishment for the sin. HOWEVER, I am covered and redeemed by the blood of Jesus, He paid for my sins...I see no reason to pay for it twice"......Can I hear an AMEN and HALLELUJAH from my "epidural user"-friendly sisters or what?!?!? You can use that one next time someone questions your choice in the labor room:)
On the serious note......having child inside this season made think a lot. Mary, the mother of Jesus, would have been just a few weeks ahead of me at this time. She too, would have an awkward waddling and bad legs cramps at night. She too , probably, wondered what her baby looks like and , if given opportunity, she too would be tempted to go get a 4D ultra-sound just to see the face of her baby while he is unaware in the womb.
But you see, even if you are not pregnant this season, you still have so much in common with Mary. May be you don't expirience all the visible signs of pregnancy- you're still impregnant with the mystery and mirracle! Christ in you- the hope of glory. Mary was privelged to carry Him in her womb, you are priviledged to carry Him in your heart. Can anyone tell? Can they see the signs? Do they stare at you wondering that there is something so captivating and different about you? The reason for the season is within you! Let the world see and praise Him!
Christ in you the hope of glory....Merry Christmas, beloved.

update:  this is the year 2013 when I reread my old blog. My view on epidural has changed! Two kids later , I stand by natural birth wholeheartedly! I truly believe God created our body fearfully and wonderfully. This just proves the old saying , " I had all the answers about parenting, but then I had kids and have nothing!".....As far as redemption and Christ in me the hope of glory- that I still stand by!

New devotion for the next year

I have been so blessed beoynd the measure by the classic devotion my husband gave me last year , called "Streams in the desert". Many of you have heard of it and those who had read it was , I am sure, blessed by it.

But now I have found another treasure "Springs in the valley" put together by the same lady! So, for those of you who are fan of the "Streams", I have great news : try the "springs" now! I am sure God will speak to me through that too.

This one for the girls :)

I have been studying something that brought my interest to the women from Proverbs 31.
I hope that my discovery will bless you just as much as it blessed me! Pr.31:10-29

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."

First of all, the term "noble woman" or "virtuous woman" in Hebrew is a powerful word "chayil" which means " strong, able, force". The virtuous woman is the mighty and powerful lady, a woman who is "war worthy". She is the one who wars for her family and friends- you, beloved, are the one- the warrior woman. The root of "chayil" means "to labor, to travail, to bring forth life".

v.13- "she works with eager hands": hands is "kaph" in Hebrew and one of the meaning is "hands lifted up to God in intercession", also it means to bend objects.

We war for our families with our hands lifted high to God in prayer and in His strength we can bend enemy in a half! How do you like that ladies?!

v.21- "when it snows, she has no fear, for all of her family is clothed is scarlet". a.k.a when the trouble comes all of her family is prayed up for and covered with the blood of Jesus! Isn't it awesome?!

Just these few things made me look at the Pr.31 woman in a whole new way. Most of us often felt intimidated by her before, because of all the things she did, now I realize I too can do just as much- to be a Godly woman, wife and mother. We are blessed!

I have joined the swim team

I have been struggling for a while. It breaks my heart to see people who are satisfied with an OK Christian life. I am so longing to go deeper. I am so ready to take a swim and not feel the sand or seaweed between my toes.
I have been talking to a young lady who shared the same desire. I was struggling and praying and asking God why, why, why so many people are not seing things the same way? It's been burdening my heart so heavily.

After much prayer and meditation, I have gotten my answer. God spoke to me and said, "Lenna, you can't make them love Me more and you can't make them want Me more. But you can't allow them at the same to hold you back in the shallow ground. Don't let their inability or unwillingness to go deeper to stop you from fully enjoying the thrill of your life with Me. Come with Me to the deeper waters and I will show you things you've never seen before. Be set free from the approval and expectations of the people. Whatever you do they will criticize, so you're free from their approval.....come away, My beloved with Me"........

What an encouraging word He ministered to Me. I am going deeper.

Luke 5:4 makes so much sense now! " When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch".

I want to PUSH into a deeper waters! I want to catch God in the depth of my studies! I wonder if He is up for a game of " TAG you're it". I can see us having a blast in the deep waters. I want Him to chase me and get me. I want to chase him and get him.

I have mentioned my Bible study group lately a lot. Some of those women make SO ridiculously hungry for God. I've told some of them how blessed I am to swim in the depth of God's Word with them. I couldn't have asked for a better team-mates than the ones who are passionate about the depth.

I have been marked by God and I am forever changed......

Ezek.47:3-6
As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. He asked me, "Son of man, do you see this?" Then he led me back to the bank of the river.

We all have to choose the depth of our walk with God....
WILL YOU JOIN THE SWIM TEAM ? Or will you compromize and stay on shore and be satisfied with dead seashells and seawee? As for me, I am out of here....see you in the deep, if you dare....

Building Idols out of blessings

WOW....
I am so amazed at the depth of our study! My ladies make me so proud!
Lately I've been asking one lady at a time to lead particular weeks. Last week Sivi did an AMAZING job talking about women's broken dreams. She set up a small wedding feast at the Sanctuary and asked her husband who was dressed in a wedding toxido to wait on women. Everyone's heart was touched so tenderly by the loving hand of God expressed through the faithful servants.
Last night Amy led the study and her passion and fire for God's Word nearly blown me away! I had no idea about the waterfall of annointing that was hidden in that little body of hers!!!! She spoke exactly what I've been feeling for weeks. She spoke of people who choose and chose not to grow deeper in the study. we can't make anyone enjoy the indepth study God himself provided for us, but we can choose for ourselves to become mature and deeper in the Word.

Here is what hit me hard....I dare you to think of it and see how true it is in your life....I really DARE YOU....

She asked us the following questions:

-Who gave you your house and everything in it?
-Who gave you your job and everything that comes from it?
-Who gave you your family ( your kids and the spouse)?

we all answered , "God, of course".
then the said ,"do you consider all those things your blessings from God?"....YES!

then she asked this, "Then tell me, how many times have we made those God's blessings idols? How many times have we used those blessings as an excuse not to do God's will? How many times have we told God how busy, tired, occupied we are with those things He himself blessed us with? How often have we cast an idol out of very blessing that came from the very hand of God?".........

WOW.........WOW...........WOW...........
Now the excuse not to go to Bible Study because I had a long day at work seems so lame. I wonder if God looks at me and says, "I know, I blessed you with it. but I blessed you with it to enjoy it and not to draw you away from Me".
Now the excuse not to spend time with God daily because I have a lot of things to accomplish around the house seems so selfish. God looks at us and says ,"I blessed you with that place so that you can build Me there a place of worship".
Now the excuse not to do his will because i have so many family activities seems so dumb, because He blessed me with that family of mine to become the light of the world....

think of such things....I was challenged to grow deeper, to grow stronger in the Lord. I can't make anyone do it, but I choose that for myself.

Raising Godly generation

I am a strong believer that there is a HUGE gap between Christian home and Godly home. HUGE GAP. I see a lot of "good ol' christian" families, but frankly, I want nothing to do with them. I don't want my children to be like them, I don't to act like them. christian and a Godly are so different.
Last bible study my friend Amy.B. answered a question from "Breaking Free" study book so beautifully. the question was, "what is your desire for your children and grandchildren"....Amysaid ," I want them to GET IT, I want them not only know the Word, I want them to be thrilled by it, i want them to thirst for it. And the only way they can do it if they see mama doing the same"......she couldn't say it anymore clearer! that is EXACTLY how i feel! I am sick and tired of "christian" families, who get satisfied with "grace" prayer before meals and brag that they've been in church over 20 years..SO WHAT?! I want to see passion, I want to see excitement, I want to see commitment, I want see a Holy Fire burning in their bones so they can't hold themselves back, but to speak of God's goodness and not discussin church leaders.
Just this morning I was meditating on my choices of people I am surrounded. At some point I started feeling as if I was a bad friend and I wasn't "best friend" to more people. and then I was stopped by the Holy Spirit and in my heart I heard, "we are called to love one another, but not called to be stupid about it". I love so many people, but I wont's allow them all to influence my life, my home, my marriage. Zach and I are VERY protective of our marriage and influences we allow in it. We minister to many people and we love them so much, but we protect our home at the same time. We are determined to be a Godly household. and yes, we do have friends coming over and we do spend time with them, but we keep our hearts sober and don't allow anyone exept the Holy Spirit influence us in any way.
I claim Godliness for my children, this day. I pray they won't compromize their walk with God for mediocrity. I pray they will keep their passion and pursuit of God fresh and anything that tried to quench it- they will avoid.
I pray the same for you and your families as well. This was the challenge for me this morning.
Let's all be challenged to keep the authenticity in us and not settle down for a "good ol' days". Authentic beauty- that what attracts God's heart!

P.S. my husband wrote an amazing blog, made his wife so proud, read it.

Daniel

Last Tuesday we found out we are having a boy!!! Yay!
My husband is excited. That morning I told him, "ok,let'd go find out who we're having". He said ," no, let's go confirm"...LOL....I am glad it's a boy. He will be a big brother to my little girl later on.
I was almost sure it's girl and here is the reason why:
4 years prior to coming to U.S. I lived with my best frind's family. She has 4 girls. Before I lived with them, she and her husband taught at the bible School in Finland-where my brother and sister-in-law were their students. Everyone from the sessions my friend and her husband taught had baby girls. Including my borther! Some of them still had girls even years after the graduation, so they blamed the Bates for the "girly influence".....I lived with the Bates for FOUR year, if any one got plenty of "girly annointing" it should be me! I was hoping for a boy, but was almost sure it's a girl, because no one before was able to beat the Bates annointing :):):):)
I guess I did.....my husband's prayers were answered.....
now.....I really really do want to have a girl after Daniel is born...the only logical solution for this dilemma would be moving closer to the Bates once again, so that we again will be under the "girly influence/annointing" of the Bates. :):):):)

please, continue to pray for us. Daniel is a very active little boy. And as far as I can tell- he's pretty stubborn. And that he doesn't get from his mom :). As the doctor was trying to get a picture of his face- he decided to cover with his both hands. then as she said, "let's see who this is"- he crossed his legs and had no intentions of showing" his goodies". It looked like he heard every word she said and wanted to do things on his terms.....mercy!

we are already terribly in love with him and he has no idea yet.

great job! I don't know anything about these kids, but they did an awesome job putting it together!

lesson I learned from annoying bird

OK....so York is having a treasure hunt....Everyday they post a clue in the newspaper where the treasure is (treasure is $1000 in chamber checks wich you can spend basically anywhere in York- sweet, I want it)....
Zach and I never done it, but for the sake of fun and quality time together we decided to do it this year.....Last night we went to place where we THOUGHT treasure might be (I am not telling you where, or some of you from around here will go and check it out too:))....anyways....here we are....the ground is still wet from a big rain night before and I am wearing my new "Skechers" white flipflops!..short grass gets between my toes and white flipflops slowly turning into grey....I am determined to find my treasure......Zach points out in the air and says something about the the birds...WHO CARES! I have nice toenails with grass decor between them! Really! I keep on walking .....All of a sudden something is flying by awefully close to me...I can hear it's heartbeat..
"What was that?"- I ask Zach. He says, "that's those birds...they bombard people if we get too close to their territory".....
????????????? birds? attack people? but they are so small looking....I think it's just him now....break free from fear of birds, hon!...keep on walking.....there are 3 or 4 of them birds now.....5, 6.....what is going on????? THEY ARE DARING ME! They fly so fast towards me and get SO close, I not only can tell if it was a boy or a girl, I can tell if any of them had grey feathers coming up! I can smell the breath of lunch on their beaks! Really....they are so bad....Zach is basically crawling on the ground, I am bent in half...... I am starting thinking they know where the treasure is and they don't want me to get it..... We finally walked far enough from them to leave us alone.....WHEW! ...We didn't find anything...and then comes the scary thought- how are we coming back? I look back and I don't see any birds, they like dissappeared!..good! may be they found a new prey!
We walk back....my shoes don't even look grey anymore, my nice toes have grass and dirt.....but it is a lovely day.....no birds......now I hear a war cry....one of the birds sounded alarmed.....where is that stupid bird? No one can see it, but you can hear the warning sound.....3 seconds and they are back again attacking us! And this time it looks like they got more brothers from the neighborhood! They are so daring- they hit you with their wings! Picture me with grass between my toes and feather in my hair! Lovely, huh?
We walk far enough and they leave us alone....Now I ask my "Discovery Channel" inclined husband about the birds.....He told me the name of them- I can't remember, but then he told me that they live in close unity with each other and they always have a watchman among them who will be staying up and looking out for trouble; when trouble gets closer he cries a war cry warning for the whole community to be prepared and within the second they are there to protect their families.....They give no chance to the approaching enemy, who has no other choice but to run....
HUH!........Isn't it what we, the Church, supposed to be like? The watchmen are our leaders and the rest of us- intercessors. As soon as we hear a hint of trouble coming, we get together, we bombard the enemy and we dare him to come close to our home.....Within the seconds we are united in mind, mission and purpose.....Our prayers are a real threat to the enemy. Our unity scares him and our worship makes him run with the dirt and grass between his toes and the feathers in his hair....not our feathers - God's feathers....because we are under the wings of the Almighty.....for us- those feathers are covering and protection; for enemy- those feathers are slap on the face and smack.......
......Beloved, lets trust the voice our leaders and not to give up being together, staying together and praying together. Those birds could not scare me alone, but when I saw 5 coming from all different directions and I didn't know which way to duck...that's what scared me!

I love you all.....

p.s. Does anyone know a good PTSD specialist? I think those birds traumatized me :)

Come to think about it...I guess I did find my treasure....the treasure of the truth of God's Word...it was revealed through annoying birds....Who is your annoying bird today? They might show you the treasure.....

intercede for us

We are about to start one the of life changing studies in our church! It is "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore. I think only 1 or 2 out of the whole group have done Beth Moore Study, the rest have never been involved in the in depth study. I was never the same after that one!

I KNOW God will do some mighty work among us through this study and we all need it. We need it, because I hear the sound of spiritual shekels in our church all the time and most of them are not even aware they are the carriers of the sound...not their fault- enemy made them believe that this is as good as it gets and I am praying for the sweet FREEDOM and LIBERTY of Christ to start working among us!

Here are few prayer points I want you to join with me in prayer:

• willing hearts and teachable spirits (for me this is not the first indepth study I've done, and I love everytime I start a new one; however, I have done one of them with the most unwilling and unreceptive group who refused to be transformed by the WORD, rather they veiwed the study as an opportunity to fellowship with each other(which is OK in its own timing) more than with the Spirit....I don't want the same attitude among this group).
• Consistency and self-discipline (I have been with people who start so well but never finish their work.....I pray this group will stick to it and allow God to transform us to the fullest and all the way. We are not quiters! May we proof to ourselves that we are committed and determined to be changed and not stale and unproductive women of God)
• Open heart to the WORD (some of the things we will study will step on toes, but just for our own best. And it is never my job to make my ladies face the issues- let God do it gently; so, I pray their hearts will be open to the WORD as they do their homework at home and sort the dirty laundry basket of the heart through and through with God alone- there is no other way to get better).
• Glory revelead (to God be the glory forever and ever through all of that! I pray our hearts and faces will be radiant week by week as we allow God to work with us).
  

Join with me intercessors! Become the FLAME KEEPERS through prayer!

I covet your prayers greatly!

been kinda sick lately

I know some of you noticed I've been lame with my blog lately..the thing is- I've been sick a lot lately...morning sickness that is :)
Yep...We are having a baby!!! yeah! Our firstborn! I am 9 1/2 weeks now...the due date so far is January 25-th..3 days after daddy's b-day :)

pray for us and pray for the baby :)

much love...
excited mama

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God

last night at the Bible Study we have read Ps.52:8 "But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God;I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever".

The Psalm was written at the time when David was chased by king Saul, who as I came to conclusion , was a control freak with extreme unsecurites. Saul felt out of control and mad, because he didn't know everyone's business, so he dealt with them in his own way- just killed at least 85 people. (1 Sam.22)

As we were talking about things our control issues can cause others, I asked them a question ," how many priests today (and we are priests through the blood of Jesus) are being killed because of the anger and madness in or outside the church?"....pause..... a friend of mine said a brilliant thing ,"not only do we kill members of the holy priesthood daily with our words, actions and feelings, but if you carefully look at the Scripture, it says they were other people who were killed outside the Temple! Therefore, our actions as Christians not only effect those within the walls of the church, but it can hurt others who don't even belong here!"...is that profound or what?!?!?!?! BINGO! She has nailed that! Defenately something to consider!

As we went on with our lesson we looked at the ways David dealt with the crisis like that.
-David knew his position in his relationship with God, therefore Saul could not shake him; Do we know it?
-David knew his purpose and calling even though he was not in charge of the times and circumstances; Do we know it?

Then David finally states in Ps. 52:8 that he is "like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God".
This is one of those times when NIV gets an A++ for translation! Most of the other ones said "green olive tree".
One of my resources said , "not only the olive tree is the longest living tree, but FLOURISHING olive tree has even greater longetivity". How appropriate! If my roots are planted in the house of God and I am flourishing- therefore working hard on bearing the fruit in my life, I have even greater longetivity! What a promise!
The olive tree is one of the few trees that can still produce fruits even in rocky and unproductive land. Therefore, even if you think you are in unproductive place of your life now- God can still bless you to produce spiritual fruit even there!
Olive tree is an evergreen tree. Also, every part of the olive tree can be used. It is so much like us! Every part of our lives can be used for God's glory in various areas and as long we stay planted in His presence we will not loose our freshness!
The fruit the olive tree produces is used to make an anointing oil. So, as we bear fruit, the anointing is within us already! Are you with me?

Enemy can try to do anything, but this I KNOW- I am an olive tree flourishing in the house of my God and my roots are deep in the LORD and my branches are lifted high to praise His Holy name. And it is my Father's desire that I may bear much fruit. (John 15)
Let it be, LORD, let it be.

How many time have I broken his heart? Everything I need is really only Jesus!

think of the words....revive my heart, LORD!

song in my heart now

It still goes down!

Since we started praying for the gas prices to go down it went 80 cents so far! How awesome is that! Last night we got gas for $3.05!!!! Keep believing God for it with me!
God is fathful in such "little" thing- can you imagine how much He will bless you in other things?!?!?!
Praise, you, JESUS, for You are worthy to receive glory and honour and power!

plug :)

my husband posted a nice testimony on his blog, you guys...check it out
http://worship-warrior.blogspot.com/

New Day- NEW Victories

This year is my 15th birthday since I have made my commitment to Christ. It was not a smooth walk whatsoever, let me assure you of that! I was 11 or 12 when I first met Jesus. The Soviet Union just fell apart .
I remember clearly receiving my call for ministry at the age 14 or 15. I remember how God dealt with me. Let me tell you my idea of being a Christian already at that age (just thinking about that now, I cannot believe how much enemy polluted my mind by that time): my idea of a good Christian was to sit in the back rows of the church, show up there once a week , twice if there is special going on, and that's about it. I was planning to live a good, Christ-seeking life, but, really, didn't plan to do anything extra special. Since my early childhood, one of my biggest fears was speaking in front of people, no matter how big the crowd was. It is still in me, till this very day I am scared of public speaking. Hard to believe, huh? Who would have known that the very thing that makes me uncomfortable God will use to fulfill His purpose in my life.
So, anyways, here I am a teenager with a very "good" plan of being and staying a Christian. The funny thing- I wasn't the only one who thought of that! I had a good friend Katya and we happened to think alike....Until one summer we went to a youth camp and God just crumbled every brick of the wall I have built in my heart and mind. He had called me into the ministry. There was an altar call at that camp for those who felt led by God to dedicate everything to Him for a ministry life. I remember how God spoke to me and I remember going to the altar for one reason: may be if I go closer He would hear my answer ," NO!". I went to the altar and just wept. Coming back from the camp our pastor had a meeting for those who'd like to join any kind of ministry in our church. I walk in the room and you would not believe the very first person I saw was my friend Katya! She looked at me like I had 3 heads. I remember her whispering to me ," I guess we can't stay satisfied being ineffective ourselves, huh?"...I just nodded.
Since that summer on- my walk with God had been a rollercoaster! For the next 2 years I was fully involved in all kinds of stuff happening in the church. I knew God was up to something BIG and that made me nervous.
It was summer 1998 the year I graduated. I have heard of a team of young people who was going to another city to open a new church. Someone asked me to go. I did everything possible to do so. My mom (who wasn't Christian at the time) could not understand why I wanted to go so badly. She reasoned with me very hard. I went at far as to purposely fail my college exams, so I'd be free to go. You should have seen my face, when I saw my name on the list of those who were accepted! Bummer! I ended up in college for the next year and doing ministry at my church.
In the summer of 1999 I went with my mom to Moscow where my brother was being commissioned as a pastor alone with a bunch of other people who graduated from the Bible School. I remember sitting there and watching all the people on the stage who were living for God to the fullest and asking God, "not fair! how come I can't go? Why did you even put such a burning desire in my heart to go, when I can't do it?!"....while I sat and argued with God I didn't notice another person sitting next to me. I looked at him and smiled. He said ," I've been praying , Lenna. We are making 4 missionary teams this summer to go to Republic of Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and one will stay here in Russia. I was wondering if you're free this summer. Would you be interested to go?". My chin dropped. The speed of my thought process would definitely be considered illegal ! :) Am I free? Am I free? Are you kidding me? You bet I am free this summer! Little did I know- that man just opened a door for something that would change me for life. Once I tasted the sweet bite of a full time ministry and a mission life- I was never the same!
God had a hand in all of that! So I am going to the person in charge of the trip and fully prepared to give him my answer, which was ," I'd like to join the team to Ukraine". I open my mouth and to my surprise my lips are saying something different! I told him I’d LOVE to go to Republic of Georgia! (which at that time was recovering from civil war). He was so excited and told me, "oh, praise GOD! nobody wanted to go to Georgia! your team is the smallest one!"..."Did I just say Georgia? ".....I was still in shock of my sudden change of plans. How am I going to tell my mom? Ukraine is safe! Georgia- not really! I thought of testing the waters and went to my good friend to tell her what I just did. Her response was "are you nuts?!?!?!"..hmm.. that didn't go as good... So, I decided to just play it cool. I walk to my mom and brother who were eating , sat next to them and under one breath told them what I just did. They stopped chewing. I chewed very fast! :)
That summer I went to Republic of Georgia- just to fall in love with a new way of ministry. We did summer camps, we organized open air meetings, we helped out in all kinds of churches. It was there I made a decision to come back. I went home that summer just to tell my mom I am leaving again- for one year. One year was the deal I made with God. He kept me there for 4 years. It was not always the best and smooth. I have cried so many tears there, and only God knows how many times I packed to go back and stomping my feet, tell God pouting ,"it's just not fair! it's too hard! I think I am done having fun". Then God will speak to me and I will give Him "another chance" as if He needed one and I stayed for a little longer.
I think among thousands of other things He was teaching that in every ministry in every walk with God at some point the honeymoon comes to a close and comes the season of maturing, growing, sharpening and going deeper. That season may not feel like honeymoon, but if we want to be solid, mature Christians-we are wise to embrace that season. This season is not over for me yet, but looking back I can confidently say that I have learned the best lessons there.
Republic of Georgia is a small country with lots of problems. Their official country religion is Christianity. In a forth century a woman named Nino had accepted Christ in Greece and wanted to share with her country people that great treasure. She walked all the way from Greece to Georgia. She had made a cross from the branches of the vine. On her way she was brutally attacked and beaten up. Her attackers broke her cross. She cut her hair and tried to fix it, the cross was never the same, it’s sides pointed down. Georgians decided to keep it that way to remind themselves how much Christianity cost them. Nino is called a spiritual mother of the country. With centuries their passion for Christ had grown into a ritual and simple religion. They forgot why they did what they did in church. Most of them honestly didn’t know. “My grandma used to do it, so I guess that’s what we’re supposed do”- was a common thing to hear.
But let me tell you about the passion that was reignited in them once they got a hold of the truth again! I have never seen more passionate youth and kids! My hair still stands on the back of my neck as I think of things those people did for Christ. Most of them don’t have cars, so they would walk to church several times a week. Because of a bad economy situation in the country, we often were without gas, electricity and water. We stunk, but we were happy!
Economy was not the only enemy they have to go against. Orthodox Christians persecute those of not the same belief and they tell people to stay away from us- the protestants. Till the year 2003 Georgians had only New Testament Bible in Georgian language. Our group of people worked hard to translate the whole Bible. Once it was ready and came in the country, the Orthodox mob burned the whole entire shipment. We decided to ship Bibles secretly, but somehow Orthodox mobs knew about it and they would arrive there early to set them on fire. Few times we were successful and we brought them into our church! The hunger for the Word of God still makes me jealous and increases my appetite for more of God’s word.
If I were to tell my whole 4 year life in Georgia I would ran out of space (which I probably did already)….
I once have heard a story of an old man in Canada who stood up in the church and wept bitterly saying that he was the most miserable person in the world. He was asked why. His answer shocked me ,”God called me into the ministry when I was young. I ran away from God. I wanted to keep my good Christian face, but I didn’t want to do more than that. I wrestled with God about my purpose for all the years and I thought I won. In reality- I lost. I have never lived a fulfilled life on the back row of the church. It didn’t mater what I’ve done for God when I was younger, what matters is that I failed Him today”.
I am reminded of Joseph’s dream interpretation in Genesis 41 about 7 sick cows consuming the 7 fat once; and 7 thin heads of grain consuming the 7 healthy heads of grain. This story is a real warning for us. No matter how many victories we had in the past, they won’t make up for the failures of today. Our God can use failures of the past and turn them into victory today, but not the other way around!
Georgia used to live for God, but now it is bound in the chains of rituals, even though they have victories in the past. An old gentleman from Canada had some victories in the past but once he ran from God- his past victories didn’t do much.
I never use my missionary experience as my wild card for God, because I know it can’t make up for my today’s choices.
God is calling us from the back pews of the church to come to live a life in Him and live it abundantly! I am not satisfied with only my old victories (although they were tremendous at the time!), I want more of God than stale crumbs of yesterday memories. I want a taste of freshly baked victories today with God!
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession

in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance

of the knowledge of him.” ( 2 Cor.2:14)
Fragrance only smells good when it’s fresh. Let’s go and win it, guys! Let’s go today and taste today and see today that the LORD is good!

This is where I spend 4 year on a mission field before I came to the states.

gas prices - part 2

so, we've been praying for gas prices to go down. God moved it 10 cents down. Today our car was almost on empty. I looked at the prices- and they were the same..hmm..what's up with that LORD? Oh, I know He is at work for something greater, so i keep on praying.
After our staff meeting at the church we were giving a ride to our dear friend and as we drove by the gas station he says, "stop there...I want to bless you"..."what do you mean?"- we asked. He says ," I want to bless you with the full tank of gas and don't think about not recieving it, don't rob me off my harvest. Let me plant the seed". What can you tell to that? Really, it was MY exuse to bless people and I used the harvest and the seed one before. Now I have become the recipient.....humbling...
We let him plant the seed in our field and now we pray for a might harvest for him.
May be God didn't change our gas prices here YET, but He sure blessed us with a free tank of gas today.
Isn't He creative? He works in the ways we least expect. Watch out for God this weekend- He is up to surprise you.
((((((((((((((((PRAISE CLAP))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Gas prices

I don't know how about where you live, but here our gas prices went mad! So we decided to pray against the gas prices with my Bible Study group, because Bible says that we can bring anything before the throne of God. We started praying on Monday and are not willing to stop until we see the results. By Tuesday gas went down 10 cents! We are continuing praying and believing God for a mirracle. At first it felt funny to pray about such a silly thing, but then I said, "how else will our faith grow if we don't pray about such things?" May the Lord increase our faith through that...really, if you think about: we are asking God to remove that financial problem from our way. Don't give up praying! God is faithful in everything, even in the silly things in our opinion. He wants to be part of EVERY aspect of our life. So, might as well, make Him a King of your gas tank :) Lord, the gas prices are under your authority now :)

Our Commissioning (May 12, 2007)

Beloved, in the Name of Jesus

I commission you

To rejoice in the Lord always

And again I say rejoice.

Stop worrying about everything!

Dump your anxiety

And start praying like mad.

Start thinking about

What you're thinking about!

Start feeding your spirit

And stop feeding your flesh.

Never forget the true Secret:

Christ in you, the Hope of Glory!

You, Dear One, have the supernatural CAN DO!

Now, believe GodAnd turn your

CAN DO Into WILL DO!

You are NOT a wimp.

You are a warrior.

In the Name and power of Christ

Go out there and act like one.

Omaha- Beth Moore

it was so AWESOME, you guys!

God spoke to me so loud, I could hardly bear it....this whole evening I have cried at least 5 times just responding to hear tender love for me.

Just less than 24 hours!

In less than 24 hours, God willing, we will be in Omaha at the Beth Moore conference!
I pray that Spirit of God will touch us an the most amazing way and the lives of many will be transformed!
Keep us in prayer, also pray for Beth and her whole team- we will have BLAST!!!!

ok, here it is

He put a new song in my mouth......

Oh, last Monday at the Bible Study one sister shared a testimony that shook me! We have studied Ps. 40 that night.

Just read few verses with me Ps. 40:1-3

I waited patiently for the LORD;

he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

Our very beloved sister spoke at the end. Enemy has been holding her in bondage FOR YEARS concerning certain issue in her life. She lived with the shekels most of life, and as the one who's been there, I would say that with the time we don't even notice they are there.

This child of God spoke such a truth that evening. She said that something had been broken a week before. She wept as she shared what a wonderful feeling it was to be free. This is something new for her and she was truly overwhelmed by that feeling that she could not describe it. I knew what she was talking about.....been in a pit myself and cried aloud for my God to rescue me and He faithfully did. Of course, no one will ever know the extent of her hurt and trouble, but in one way or another, we- the redeemed of Lord, know the feeling.

As she kept on speaking, she said few things that will stay with me for a long time :

#1) She said that now when she reads the Bible, she gets it! You should've seen her face when she said ," I GET IT! I GET IT! I GET IT!!!!"....AHHH..... Delight us, LORD! The blindfolds of the enemy had been lovingly removed from her eyes by the blood of Jesus and the Word, the Godbreathed Word of God become more alive than ever before! She felt the hot breath from God's lips as He spoke to her through His Own Word. I LOVE it!

#2) She said ,"I am half way out of the pit and I have no intentions to go back. I am getting out even if it costs me everything. I am done being a pit dweller".... GLORY TO GOD! Enemy somehow convinces us that for Christians life in a pit is as good as it gets and in reality, God says, "you have NO EARTHLY CLUE how much more I have prepared for you!"....I am thrilled to see this sister tasting new blessings and having her own time of the life with Jesus....

Liberated Christians - this is the passion of my life. I always tell people that we, as Christians, can still be "Freed yet in bondage" people. I see them everywhere- they are saved, but still bound by all kinds of things.....none of us is perfect, but we are striving for the best and the closer we get to the Son, the more ropes will be burned off our arms and ankles!

I celebrate the victory in my friend's and sister's life! Today, like never before!

May 9 is the HUGE VICTORY DAY in Russia. They celebrate their freedom from Hitler.

I celebrate with you, beloved friend, a freedom from the accuser of your soul!

I love you dearly....

You are an amazing woman with so many gifts and talents...don't ever give up on yourself....

As she shared her testimony with the smile and tears, God spoke to me ,"this, my child, is the visual example of what Ps. 40 calls a "new song".....As she finished, I almost shouted "YOU GOT A NEW SONG!!!!! YOU GOT A NEW SONG!!!" (I wonder if some ladies in a group thought I was a nut...oh well, they already know I am one :)).....

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

A new song is sang no longer in a pit, but let the whole world hear our song to God!!!!!!!

I want all the lost people hear our victory song, I want the redeemed hear our liberty song and I want the enemy hear our new song of praise unto OUR GOD!!!! Let the enemy hear that song and be sorry he ever messed with us!

Recent pics :)

I will put more pics on. My mother in law has blessed us with a digital camera...so...you will see a lot more of me :)

what a timely gift, just right before Beth moore conference!!!

SPA time

I've been wanting to go for a SPA a while already. So, finally we have found a perfect place to go with the ladies from our Bible Study- it is a Christian SPA, with Christian music and lady (owner) even offered to do a little devotion for us- can it get any better? I am too excited to wait! I love that kind of stuff. It's time to beutify myself.
I like how this Spa offers "beautifying" inside and out......

Humore me- I have ordered a Christian Alternative to Yoga this week (should be coming by the end of the week)...I am thrilled! I love working out, but now I can do it with the Word of God- is God a God of wonders or what?!?!?! To work out and meditate on His Word!
Somebody needs to celebrate it with me!!!!!! :)

With all this in mind, I was studying for my Bible study tonight and God started speaking to me about Ps.36, 37 (I hope none of my ladies from the group reads it before tonight, otherwise they will have to sit there and be surprised all over again and pretend they've never heard it! )...

Ps.36:6-8

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.

Ps.37:4, 23

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart....

If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm.

So, as I'm preparing, I obviously see the repeat of the word "delight"....if it is more than once, I believe God is trying hard to make a point. So, I get my faithful friend "Strong's Concordance" out just to find out that all 3 of these words "delight" are all different! WOW! That was enough to get me going!

Ps.36:8 = "delight"= in Hebrew "eden" (my first thought was of a Garden of Eden, but it doesn't indicate a direct connection) means "luxury, dainty, delight, finery,delight, to live voluptiously (how do you like that!?).

That sounds pretty delightful :)

Ps.36:8 ="river"= in Hebrew 'nachal" =stream, brook, river, flood (I'd expect that) BUT it comes from the root word which means to get as a possession, acquire, inherit, possess ,give as an inheritance .

Can you see it? God has given us an inheritance which we supposed to enjoy! And it supposed to flood our lives! We are to take joy in spiritually voluptious living! He has offered it to us!

Are we feasting in the abudance of His house and are we drinking in the rivers of His delinght? (Ps. 36:6-8) or have we limited ourself to a boring diet of "bless this food" prayers and "help me top have a good day"....He has so much to offer, we have no eartly clue!

...sigh...that was good to hear from God.....

Ps.37:4 = "delight" (yourself in the Lord) in Hebrew "anag"= to be soft, be delicate, be dainty , be pampered , to be happy about, take exquisite delight, make sport of.

Did you see PAMPERED? Who would've thought that God wants to pamper us with His love, mercy and just His presence?!?!

Well, the Scripture does say that those who are in His presence have radiant look, so I guess there ain't no better face lotion that Jesus Christ Himself! :)

But pampered?! Lord, you mean like a SPA pampered? Really? How awesome would that be! A Spiritual Spa- my God will do anything for me!

I like the last definition- to make sport of......What do you think if we make it a great competetive sport of spending time in God's presence and eating at His table. We would put all of our efforts, strength, time and resources just to be with Him!At least I know that the reward for that one is great! I think I am getting myself a new exercise routine :) Not just will I be pampered, but I'll also be toned up! Can someone shout Hallelujah with me?!?!?!??!

I will run to His presence, I will dance before His throne, I will stretch on the ground on my face at His feet- there is your whole body work out :)

Ps. 37:23- "delight" (The Lord delights in us) in Hebrew "chaphets" which means "to delight in, take pleasure in, desire, be pleased with , to move, bend down .

As we delight ourselves in Him He bends down just to hear our praise and prayers closer; He moves to us just to read our lips and hearts as we speak to Him. That is my God! He delights to be delighted and He delights to delight......ahh...what a delightful God I serve!

Delight me Lord, with the wonders of Your love and may my whole life inside out be the greatest delight You've ever recieved!

Russian Worship

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF5k1ZL8ZpI

This Russian Worship song is so great. I have translated the words for those of you who's having a hard time unders
You know...He has told me "I love you"
You know..He has extended His hand to me ;
You know..now never, never, never will I ever be alone.

He has given life just for me,
He has shed His blood just for me,
He did everything possible just to be with me
He has granted me life and peace.He is my Saviour!!!

You know....I couldn't even dream about the happiness that I've found in Him
My whole entire life has changed since the moment He found me and I followed Him

He has given life just for me
,He has shed His blood just for me,
He did everything possible just to be with me
He has granted me life and peace.
He is my Saviour!!!

You know...He loves you so much
His desire is to be with you forever
My friend, if you choose to walk with Him
You will surely find comfort, joy and peace
He has given life just for you,
He has shed His blood just for you,
He did everything possible just to be with you
He has granted you life and peace.
He is your Saviour!!!tanding russian :)

p.s. can anyone teach me how to post videos on here??? pleeeeease :)

Put God on mute....like that's possible!

Last night at the Bible Study we have read Ps.29
As I was preparing for the study, this Psalm hit me a new...I sat in awe and amusement of what God showed me...
read it with me

Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones,

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;

worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters;

the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;

the voice of the LORD is majestic.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;

the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning.
The voice of the LORD shakes the desert;

the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare.

And in his temple all cry, "Glory!"
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;

the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
The LORD gives strength to his people;

the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Notice how many things God can do just with His voice alone. Cedars are 120 feet tall trees and 30 feed wide! The oaks are called the kings of the forest and He can make them jump and He can twist them just at the sound of His voice alone! Doesn't even have to lift a finger! Mighty mighty God with a mighty mighty voice.

Here is what the LORD spoke to me about it: Lenna, look at all the things I do with the sound of my voice alone...yet people manage to mute Me in their hearts....I can melt the highest mountain, yet the hearts of men refuse to melt when I speak to them . I can break the strongest wall, yet humans refuse to break their hearts over their own disobidience.....I can twist the oak, yet people's heart remained unmoved when I speak to them......something is wrong with that picture"..... yet He chose to create us this way, so we can make a choice to listen to Him or not.

How often am I guilty of pushing mute on the remote control of my heart when God is speaking truth to me? How often have I ignored Him speaking when He used the mighty powerful voice?

O , Lord, the Word of God says that people have grown cold, hard , numb and deaf hearts - so true! Forgive me for not listening to You at times....I am hungry for fresh mercies this morning......

Speak to me, your servant is listening!

Cities of Refuge

As we're finally saying goodbye to Joshua, I was thrilled to teach one last lesson. I think it was a perfect ending for such a book as this! Really.

At the end God spoke to Joshua (Joshua 20) and told him to build Cities of Refuge for a guilty person to hide after a crime. Well, that also meant unintentional sin.
The more I studied that portion of Scripture, the more it became clear to me that Christ is my City of Refuge! And He had upgraded the "illegal allien" policy since His death: now ANYONE who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved! (Rom.10). And now ANYONE- guilty or not , can find refuge there.

So, check it out: I am studying this chapter and I decided to look up the meaning of the names of those cities.
See for yourself:

KEDESH=to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate.

SHECHEM= neck as a place of burden; to incline shoulder; to load up a man or a beast with a burden.

HEBRON= to unite, join, bind together, be joined, be in league, have fellowship with, be compact.

BEZER= to gather, restrain, fence, fortify, make inaccessible, enclose.

RAMOTH= to be lifted up, to be raised.

GOLAN= to uncover, remove ,to reveal (as God reveals Himself)

Can you see a prefect picture of Christ as He offers Himself there? What is it that you need of Him today? HE CAN DO IT!

Jesus is your Kedesh-a place where you're pronounced pure again and whole again!

Jesus is you Shechem- a place where He offers His neck and shoulders for your burden.

Jesus is your Hebron- a place where you find perfect fellowship and sweet company.

Jesus is your Bezer- a place where He keeps you inaccesible from others to get you.

Jesus is your Ramoth- a place where you're lifted out of your pit and placed on solid ground.

Jesus is your Golan- a place where your shame, pain and hurt are uncovered and removed and God is revealed in a new glory!

Where do you run when you're in trouble? Who or what have you made your refuge city? If it is not Christ- it is a false security! RUN to GOD!

So, in Joshua 20 it says that the guilty person could stay in the city as long as the high priest lived. After his death, the guilty person has to go back and deal with the past.

Hebrews 7:24-25

but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

That means we can stay there all we want to!! Celebrate that with me, somebody!!!!!! Praise GOD!!!

Are we still having Easter this year???

Can you tell that satan is working over time lately?
Some stuff that is shown on TV is just out of control.
First they found the Tomb of Jesus and tried to sucker us in. Gosh! Really, do they think we're THAT stupid?!?
And as if that wasn't enough, "jesus" himself appeared on TV last night. Puertorican (sp?) guy who lives in Florida now claimed to be Jesus of the Bible. This guy was smoking, drinking, had bad financial credit, problems with the law, DUI and divorce tried to convince the world of his "diety" or whatever. The funny thing is his reasons why he's doing what he's doing...Get this!!! He said that he died for all the sins the first time he came 2000 years ago, now no sin is in his body (he used Scripture and quoted Paul about "no sin should control me") and he said now we are all free to do what we want to do. There is no such thing as sin. How easy! He also said that there is no devil and no hell. The only punishment we'll ever get is natural punishment (like jail and stuff) here on earth. And!!! He and all of his followers (which by the way he has opened several churches in several countries already!) have tatooed "666" on their wrists!
C'MON now! Really! Do you really think that Christians are THAT low to buy it. My feelings were hurt because somebody totally underestimated my intellegnce THAT much!!!
What really grieved me was that he had so many followers and they all bring their kids to that "church" and kids call him "abba father" and praise him. They also convinced that all kinds of immorality is fine and one little boy said ,"because god does the same"......SAD! Very SAD!!!
They have not only limited me, they lowered my GOD so much. They have have no clue HOW BIG my GOD is!!!! Oh, how dissapointed one they will be.
A lady from that church said ,"there is only one god and no other. And he just left this building and got into his BMW"....LOL....
Well, I'd rather serve my God who is everywhere with me at all time, who is not giving an easy way out , but seeks the best way to transform my life! Who loves me unconditionally and prepared an eternity for me, because I'm on a short trip here on Earth.

2 Tim.3:1-7" But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. (don't even even try hard to get of form of godliness!)Have nothing to do with them.
They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth...."

2 Tim. 4:3,4 " For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

BOOOORING

Like I wrote earlier, we're studying Joshua with my group. I LOVE that book. The story of insecure young worshipper who achieved a lot simply because he BELIEVED GOD!

I have heard a story of a man who was given an opportunity to go in a bank and take whatever he wanted. He man came out with a penny. Whose fault was that he was poor? The same thing with us- God's bank account of blessings has our name on it and we can dithdrawl (sp?) anytime we want. Whose fault that we are poor spiritually?
Looks like Joshua was the man who learned early that FAITH is a PIN number for that account and he got blessed.

With our group we'll read several chapters at a time, and then we'll scan them through together and I share with them what stood out to me. Oneof my precious ladies said the other day ,"boy! I don't know what you're going to teach, but I'll tell you that some of those chapters were BOOOORING" ( she has the most amazing British accent, so picture that). I agreed with her wholeheartidly. Some of those chapters should be named "The worst baby names book ever" or "If you don't love your baby, name it something like that"....(LOL). Another lady looked at the chapter and said ,"I am NOT reading this portion outloud!" Ha-HA!
As I was preparing for that lesson and saw the list of the king's names, I asked God to give me something fresh on that. He did!
We read in chapters 11-19 all the achievments of Joshua and his army. Then you'll see the whole list of the Kings and their location- 33 altogether.

I looked and at list and God started speaking to me. He said, "look again....what do you think those kings represented to Joshua?"...."Obstacles?"-I said/asked God. He smiled, "yes....some are bigger than others. But all of those kings were fighting Joshua to have ultimate authority over him and make him captive to their will. Are you getting the point now?"...........AHHHH.....
I stared at the list again and I could almost picture the Scripture being re-written before my eyes....."and Lenna by faith had conquered the kings....the king of offense and hurt feelings that tried to stop her from fulfilling her purpose...the king of insecurity that tried to convince her she was no good in the Kingdom of God......king of fear that tried to stop her from moving to the new heights.....king of doubt that ried to paralize her with unbelief.....all these kings tried to establish their thrones in her heart, but by faith Lenna and her God have overcame them all, because she believed.".... wouldn't that be wonderful????

You can put your own enemy in the blank. The king of eating disorder, pornography, lust, fear, unbelief,bitterness, resentment etc. Put your own king that you have and are battling at the moment, the king that is trying to put his throne next to God's throne in your heart and gain control over you. And be sure, just like Joshua was, that GOD is in the middle of that battle with you and He is getting the hail out to kill your foes right before you eyes! JUST BELIEVE!!!!
And at the end of your life, there will be a chapter that records your personal victories through and by faith. Anticipate, beloved! The LORD SABAOTH( The LORD of the Heavenly Army) is with you!!!!

"Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us." (Rom. 8:37 AMP)

update

Ok....I really haven't been here for a while....lots of things happened!

I got really sick and had a surgery last week. My very first one EVER. My husband got really worried, though he did an excellent job hiding it and being strong for me. He slept on the chair in the hospital next to me and prayed with me every time I got scared. The surgery went well and I was out of hospital the same day. I am feeling MUCH better though and I don't miss that gall bladder at all!

This whole expirience made me slow down and take a deep breath ( after the pain drugs kicked in, since you can't breathe when you're having a gall bladder attack :))) and be still. It is nice once in a while to do that. At first, when I started having minor attacks from my gall bladder, I was convinced that enemy was messing with me (andmay be he did!), but God showed up through all of that in a mighty way! Like one of my favorite devotions said one time, "Defeat may serve as well as victory: to shake the soul and let the glory out!".....Love it! If enemy tried to crush me and put me down, God just used that time to heal me, restore me and refresh me.
While in the hospital and then at home on the couch (I couldn't walk much or sit straight :) for a while) I have caught up on reading some books and picked few new. I read the Bible and just enjoyed my little break! How refreshing! I think God missed me........I missed Him too....
Through all of it- God showed Himself Faithful , Just and more than anything Loving and Caring! He is so good to me!
My Bible Study ladies were so great! Speaking of Bible Study- next Monday is our last visit of Joshua! We're about to say good bye to another great achiever of God and ready to expirience personal victories through Christ who leads us into triumph!

Oh YEAH! I got my BETH MOORE tickets this week too! YEAY!!!!!!! All the "Beth Moore groopies" please stand up and shout "Hallelujah" with me :)

Church with Room 203

I just watched the "freedom Writers" (http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/freedomwriters.html).

Anyone who is in any type of ministry (especially the one that deals with kids and youth!) must watch.

I sat there fully aware of the brokeness that this world throws awaylike spoiled leftovers. Broken lives, broken hopes, broken dreams, broken hearts. The whole time I set there I kept on hearing the same thing, "God is attracted to brokeness and emptiness". If only those kids knew THE hope of the world.................................................................................................

Who will go and tell them?

If you watch the video from the link above, you will hear the dairy of the last guy. In the midst of all the trouble he knew that there is a refuge in the "English" class..the Room 2003 became their shelter. The Room 203 became a place of unity. The Room 203 became a place of reconciliation. The Room 203 became a place of restoration.......God is calling you and me to become Room 203 for someone who is closer to us than we know. I was challenged to become Room 203 to someone who the world had thrown away, to someone unwanted,to someone who is underloved.....I want to become Romm 203- a place of belonging..............a place they can call HOME............It is here in Room 203 I want them to find Father's embrace and hear Him whisper in their ear "Welcome home, child".................

You and I can be the Freedom Writers...........There is bigger freedom that they don't know about. Galatian 6:1 "It is for FREEDOM that Christ had set us free"......let's embrace the promise and let the rest of the world know!!!!

Revival begins within myself

I am halfway through a new book called "Revival starts within myself"(the book is in Russian)- an old story of a missionary to Africa-Christian man since childhood who expirienced God in a deeper way and got transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and through an incredible encounter with Jesus. As I was reading this book, I caught myself comparing the church of the 1-st century with the 21-st century church. I pray we will not shame the Bride that was born in Jerusalem.

Father, speak to us, touch our hearts, may our lives blaze for You. Jesus prayed in Luke 12:49 ,"I have come to bring fire on earth, and how I wish it was already kindled!"-let the fire of the Holy Spirit do it, Father!

Amen and Amen!