(excerpt from my new book)

I received my first prophetic word in 2008 during a church leadership meeting. At the time, we were members of a non-denominational mega church plant, but I was completely clueless to the gifts of the Spirit. Being raised in traditional churches, I’d never even heard of prophesy, much less been involved in a Prophetic Presbytery, led by a modern-day prophet. I wondered if we’d inadvertently joined a cult! Silently I questioned,

Is this even biblical?

Are “prophets” for real?

Or is this guy just another clown performing in a charismatic circus?

I was skeptical. But also… a bit curious. My formative years were spent in a Presbyterian church, but after a cross-country move, my family and I settled in with the Methodists. My husband was also raised in the United Methodist Church, so we both had a pretty good foundation of Truth. But, the things of the Spirit were still very foreign to us. I knew that the one true God was a triune God; Father, Son & Spirit. But His Spirit was rarely mentioned in Sunday School or in Services, unless of course we were reciting the Apostles Creed.

I’ll never forget the moment the prophet locked eyes with me. I braced myself for impact; wanting to run and hide, while simultaneously standing in an unexplainable blessed assurance that this moment would change the trajectory of our lives.

He began by reading our mail, as they say. I looked at our leaders, silently asking,

Did you tell this guy everything about us?!

They just smiled at us, like masters watching their apprentices experience the joy of discovering hidden treasure.

The man of God continued.

He mentioned ways we had served the Lord and talked about what that would look like in the future. In due season, he said we would be out of growth room, so the Lord would need to transplant us in order to transpose us into what He wanted. God was calling our entire family to be full of virtue, character and strength; to be an example of humility in the Father’s house. The man also gave specifics regarding our home:

“I feel like the Lord says, “I’ve got a different house for you because I want to turn your house not just into a trophy, but I want to make it a place of ministry.” God’s gonna give you a ministry center where you’re gonna minister to your family. Where you’re gonna minister to other families, and gather the people of God there. At times, you’ll even gather the lost and those that are yet to find Christ. They’re gonna find Him right at your kitchen table, right in your living room. It’s going to be an amazing place of ministry. Just know that God says “I’m gonna give you a place of ministry.” You’ll say, “this is our house, but it is God’s place of ministry and design for us.’”

A few months later, another prophet came to town. Calling us out of the crowd again, another word was spoken over our family. He even told us to bring our toddler up on stage with us! After he spoke to my husband, he paused and stared straight at me,

“Over you, God says, “I’m going to release a gift of prophesy.” Some of what I’ve been doing tonight, you’re gonna do. Ok? Can you receive that? Two anointing’s: One to hear, and one to speak. I’d like to lay hands on you to release that. One of the fundamental doctrines of the church, we transmit gifting’s by the laying on of hands. By speaking the word of prophesy, Father bring it to pass. We release the gift to hear and the spiritual gift of prophesy to speak. Make her a voice in the family, in the church, in the marketplace.”

After these encounters, Acts 2:17 was realized as prophetic words, visions and dreams became a recurring phenomenon in my life. During that season, mature believers in the body of Christ taught me how to become a scribe. They encouraged me to write down every prophetic word, vision or dream in a journal. Then, they told me to prepare myself for the process of persevering in prayer, until all of God’s promises came to pass. They explained that everything must be judged by the Word, contended for in prayer, and confirmed or denied in due season.

Several years into the process, I noticed a pattern emerging. Night after night, when I fell asleep, I repeatedly saw houses that needed to be renovated, remodeled or rebuilt. Initially, I didn’t know whether they were literal or spiritual houses, but eventually, the Lord revealed more of the mysteries that were hidden in my dreams.

The prophetic process proved to be more painful than I originally expected…