Hope
Vision
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For nearly two decades, I’ve periodically written & posted biblically based blogs @ deepintothewater.com
Never, ever, ever did I have any desire to write a book about my life.
God, however, had other plans.
After hearing His still, small voice, I put literal pen to paper and began pouring my heart out in my journal.
8 years later (a significant number for me), I felt prompted to publish some of those pages.
So, welcome to my house! Come on in…the doors open. Allow me to introduce you to The Restorer of Homes.
In the Shelter
2 Timothy 1:7
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Psalm 91
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
As Hurricane Milton was developing into a Category 5 Hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico last week, the Lord was simultaneously preparing us for trouble. That’s right. Trouble. Jesus said that in this world we will have trouble- but He also offers a solution to the tests, trials and temptations we all will inevitably face.
Long before our Governor declared a state of emergency across multiple counties in Florida (including ours) the Lord was helping me take heart. Before I even knew what was coming, He was preparing my mind, will and emotions to trust Him.
The trouble?
A spirit of fear.
The solution?
Worshipping the Father.
- Scripture (Truth)
All ya’ll know I continually encourage us to be in the Word, but in case anyone forgot, I’ll remind us again: we must chew, digest, regurgitate and chew the cud of Scripture each and every day. Why? Storms are coming! Heavy rains and destructive winds are on the way and flood waters are rising. Those who build their hearts upon the Word of God will stand firm. Conversely, those who foolishly build their houses on the world – and its systems, will crumble.
Two weeks ago, I was also preparing to teach another lesson in our Emotional Discipleship class at church. Care to guess the subject matter? It was on anxiety, fear & depression. I volunteered for the topic, having been well acquainted with these troubling emotions since childhood. Sad to say, the spirit of fear is very familiar with me- and my family. It’s been around for generations… but it ain’t staying!
Then, this past Sunday, one of our elders preached a message on… a spirit of fear! Do you think the Lord was trying to get our attention?!
2. Prayer (Spirit)
In the past few years I’ve become acutely aware that my prayer life must increase. As our family continues to settle into and possess the land God has promised as an inheritance, the resistance and retaliation from the enemy’s camp has also increased. Instead of wearing myself out, trying to extinguish those fiery arrows in the flesh, I must be FULL of the Holy Spirit, dressed from head to toe with the armor of God, seeking direction from the Commander of Heaven’s armies. HE is my strength and shield. Not my words, but His Word.
Each morning, I pour out my praise and process my feelings in a journal with God. I also walk and talk with my man and the Lord on a local nature trail. Throughout the day, I pray without ceasing as I’m prompted by the Spirit, or a prayer request is sent my way. And, I join other intercessors in the body of Christ multiple times a week to ask, seek, knock on the Father’s heart for our community, our nation, and Israel.
As we began hurricane preparations at home on Monday, news reports were overflowing with fear and speculation. Social media posts were even worse. Then came the warnings and watches that continued to blast emergency signals to our phones and watches. A spirit of fear was palpable. My entire body felt its affects. For a moment I entertained it, but then I was reminded that the Lord had been preparing me for this battle all along. So, I flipped the switch between soul and spirit, and my heart anchored itself in the One who sits far above every storm!
In the middle of the night on Wednesday (or the wee hours of Thursday) as the eye of the storm passed over Polk County, we heard a thunderous CRASH outside our bedroom window. Instinctively, I started praying in the Spirit as my man attempted to peer out the window with a flashlight (we’d lost power the night before). As terror gripped my heart, I kept declaring the Word of God to my soul. Moments later, I felt indescribable peace, knowing:
I was in the shelter of the Most High.
The next morning, as dawn broke, we went outside to assess the damage. A section of our neighbors abandoned cattle shelter had flown over the fence and into our backyard. As one hundred mile an hour wind gusts raised the roof and support beams into the air, the Almighty’s hand laid it right back down in the perfect spot. The only damage to our property was a few tears in our pool enclosure.
If I’d needed another sign from heaven, this was it!
Power, love and a sound mind is only found in the shadow of the Almighty. He is our shelter in every storm.
Self-Care
Matthew 23:1-4, 25-26
Amplified Bible
23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and Pharisees have seated themselves in Moses’ chair [of authority as teachers of the Law]; 3 so practice and observe everything they tell you, but do not do as they do; for they preach [things], but do not practice them.4 The scribes and Pharisees tie up [a]heavy loads [that are hard to bear] and place them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger [to make them lighter].
25 “Woe to you, [self–righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and robbery and self–indulgence (unrestrained greed).26 You [spiritually] blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the plate[examine and change your inner self to conform to God’s precepts], so that the outside [your public life and deeds] may be clean also.
Since the Good Shepherd told me to LAY DOWN last year, I’ve been letting go of a few old things to embrace what’s new. In the midst of this great exchange, I came to realize that His grace was no longer sustaining the weight of some of the baggage I was carrying. What I previously lifted with ease in a former season suddenly felt heavy in this one. And so, the Lord, in His loving kindness invited me further into the valley of the shadow of death to bury some dry bones. As I did what He required, His Spirit began breathing resurrection life into my body… and soul. At times, I’ll admit, the process was extremely painful. My flesh cried out on more than one occasion as my mind, will and emotions wrestled between what I wanted and what He wanted.
Before laying down, I had been stuck in the hustle and bustle of everyday life; consumed by what I was doing, while neglecting who I was being. As the Lord corrected Martha, reorienting her heart towards His, so He did with me. His Word cut between soul and spirit, reminding me that the inside of my cup was far more valuable to Him than the outside. His rebuke to the Pharisee’s was even more direct. What they were teaching people was RIGHT, but the motivation of their hearts was all WRONG.
If we aren’t careful, we too can get stuck faking the funk- working up a sweat in our scrubbing bubbles to make our cups look good on the outside, while neglecting the filth that’s piling up on the inside. Religious activity has a way of setting us up for that kind of hypocrisy. If we’re not careful, we can easily fall prey to the enemy’s trap: desiring to be praised by people. It feels really good to be accepted, affirmed and acknowledge for our giftedness, but God deserves all the praise for what we do since everything comes from Him and is for Him. Furthermore, seeking the approval of man will always leave us disappointed anyway. Instead, Jesus invites us to choose a different way. His way…which leads to eternal life: pleasing the Father.
If you, like me, struggle with people pleasing, I have good news for you! Take heart, my friend. There’s always HOPE! Seek the Lord. You will find Him. Ask Him to examine every area of your soul that is bowing to the fear of man. He will ever so gently illuminate the dark places with His marvelous light, releasing you from the enemy’s lies which hold you captive.
I’m so grateful for the freedom to worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth in this season and for the saints who told me what I needed to hear. I’m even thankful for the sinners who told me what I needed to hear, because God uses all things for my good- but especially for HIS glory!
As I’ve submit to this process of cleansing, the Lord has taught me a few valuable lessons about self-care in this season:
- First and foremost, I must constantly care for my spirit. I literally cannot live without His bread and water sustaining me every day. The secret place is my happy place. Rising early every morning I worship Him in silence, reading/hearing scripture, praying in the spirit and being a scribe (journaling). That quiet time carries me the rest of the day as I continue meditating on His Word and praying, without ceasing.
- Second, my soul needs compassionate care. In His presence, as I pour out the complaints in my mind, will and emotions, He comforts, cares and corrects anything I believe which is contrary to what He says about Himself, myself and others.
- Third, my body needs continual care. After hiring a nutrition coach, I realized this temple needed some serious cleansing, ‘cuz what I was puttin’ in my mouth wasn’t holy! Our enemy has convinced us that fast, fake food will satisfy us. It’s a lie. God has already provided everything we need since the dawn of creation: what grows in the ground, what grazes on it, and what swims in the waters that separates the dry land. Spend the time and money required to eat healthy foods- and move your body!
Beloved, it’s time to clean the inside of our cups. Let’s not just be hearers of the Word, let’s do it! We need to practice what we preach. God is watching. And so is the world.
Well Being
Philippians 4:6-9
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([a]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that [b]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall [c]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
9 Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of [d]untroubled, undisturbed well–being) will be with you.
There’s a sign in my psychologist’s office that says “Well Being.” Beneath those words is a list of action items that contribute to us being made well:
Serving
Faith
Social
Relaxation
Fitness
Nutrition
Sleep
Fun
Time in Nature
Nine seemingly insignificant words. Simple, small things packed with Spirit & Truth. I’ve read and pondered that list for more than two years. I even took a picture and keep it on my phone as a reminder. And you know what!? Those seeds that have been sown into the soil of my heart are beginning to spring up! They are finally producing good fruit:
I’m serving.
I’m full of faith.
I’m social.
I’m relaxed.
I’m getting fit.
I’m sleeping.
I’m having more fun!
I’m spending time in nature.
And, now….
I’m consuming good nutrition!
Well Being
This month I began a new thing: I hired a nutrition coach. Why, you ask? I needed help. I couldn’t do it on my own. I tried. Repeatedly. And failed. I’ve been overweight and under active for years. One of my goals in moving to the Sunshine State was eating better and being more active again. Ever since I was a kid, I loved being in the great outdoors, spending time in nature. But somewhere in the middle, I forgot about being well. Amidst the hustle and bustle, the hurry and worry of life, I stopped caring for myself. I stopped loving myself as God loves me: body, soul and spirit.
There are many reasons the Lord called us to Florida. I’m convinced that one of them is this: I needed to get well. And now, there’s no excuse for me not getting my rear end outside (well, except the part where it feels like we’re living on the surface of the sun in the summertime!) The infrastructure in this state is conducive to an active lifestyle in nature that is preserved for its wildlife- and its people.
Last year my man and I started walking daily on the Ft. Fraser Trail near our house to prepare for our trip to Paris. We were so proud of ourselves for keeping up with our friends adventuring through France that we didn’t stop walking when we got home! Moving is not only good for our bodies, it’s good for our hearts as well. We walk and talk to each other and to God every morning.
By partnering personal fitness with the wisdom of a nutrition expert, I’m also learning what my body needs to thrive from the inside out. Honestly, I’ve been embarrassed by my ignorance in regards to food. God’s Word is true – we do perish for a lack of knowledge! But thank the Lord for those in the body of Christ who are helping me in my weakness. I’m eternally grateful for the encouragement I’ve received from so many in our covenant community. By practicing what I’ve learned, my spiritual, mental and nutritional/fitness health is producing good fruit. The peace of God is now ruling and reigning in my life. I am untroubled. I am undisturbed.
This is well being.
My friend, I want to encourage you today in the Lord. Are you sick – and tired? Physically, emotionally or spiritually? His strength is sufficient! Ask Him for help to get well, and be well, beloved. Begin by worshipping Him right now, in Spirit and Truth:
PRAY (v 6)
PRAISE Him! (v 6)
Receive His PEACE (v 6)
PRACTICE what is preached (v 9)
Jell-O (part 1)
Ezekiel 36:26
26 I will give you a new heart …
The day after our 23rd wedding anniversary in 2019, our family visited Heart of the Father Ministry https://www.hotfmlakeland.com/ for the first time. As the worship team started playing, the youngest elder encouraged people to press into the Father’s heart. He invited those who wanted to enter the “splash zone” (altar area) to come forward. Our eldest daughter, the prophetic pioneer that she is turned and said, “I wanna go.” Without hesitation I responded, “let’s GO! You lead, I’ll follow.” In fact, the entire family followed.
Worshipping Jesus, among our brothers & sisters – who were complete strangers at the time, I had a powerful encounter with the Lord. I saw the Lord holding two hearts in His hands…
They were mine.
One was like Jell-o. The other looked like a piece of meat that had been over cooked in a pressure pot again-and again- and again. It was done. D-O-N-E, DONE! He simply asked, “which do you want?” Tears streaming down my face, I blurted out the quietest whisper I could muster,
“JELL-O!”
Immediately, His hand crushed the done heart- turning it into a pile of ashes beneath the jiggly jell-o heart.
This was His promise to me four years ago:
Ezekiel 36:26
26 … I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
His plans and purposes for my heart began unfolding as we left our fathers land in 2021, obeying Our Father’s call to go to a new land and live among a people who would love me back into the heart of the Father.
Deep Into the Water 