I was looking for a spiritual jump-start, and Tina's Soul Spa did not disappoint. Tina's love for women and her desire to be used by God was obvious. Every aspect of the week-end was thoughtfully planned, arranged and/or provided with the intention and expectation of hearing from God. Her faith was modeled and infectious!

I've been to many conferences and/or retreats over the years but Soul Spa differed in three important ways:

1. There was a total of just 6 women (including Tina) which helped us all bond quickly, feel emotionally safe and share openly.
2. Tina had us focus on just one passage of scripture all week-end along with excellent questions to ponder. This simplified approach of "less is more" helped me go deeper with God's Word.
3. There were several designated times of silence for all of us as a group, providing continuity of intentional inward focus.

Soul Spa created a place for me to pray, read, meditate, share, trust, cry, laugh, relax, sing, battle, sleep, and let God work in my heart. I am so thankful to Tina for her willingness to let God use her resources and talents. He showed up in a mighty way, bringing me insight, transformation and new freedom that I'm still experiencing a month later. Praise His mighty name!! And thank you, Tina!! Yay, Soul Spa!!

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"They triumphed over him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death" Revelation 12:11

Having recently returned from a speaking engagement where the power of the Holy Spirit was abundantly present, I came across this verse this morning that summarizes what the Lord was teaching us.

Many will recognize the first part of the verse, but the "word" of our testimony is not made possible until we first fulfill the latter part of the scripture, choosing to lay ourselves on the altar. Relinquishing our preferences, our comfort, our need for control, and the ideas of how we think things should be.

THAT is the moment of power and possibilities for the believer! The moment that we die to ourselves and the life of Christ can flow through every crevice of our being. May we not love our lives so much that we resist His will and forfeit our power. If we do, it is at THAT moment that we become vulnerable to the enemy's schemes of defeat for the believer.

But in order to choose "triumph" over "defeat" today, we must realize that relinquishing our will is just the first step. We must then cooperate with the life of Christ within us; standing on His Word, recognizing and resisting evil, as well as doing the good that we ought.

Note the connection between the work of Christ and the work of the believer in this verse, we "triumph" over our enemy by the completed work of Christ working in tandem with the "word" of our testimony. For those who have read my blog of a couple of weeks ago, this is PRAISE! Our testimony is the words that we profess, cling to, and proclaim, regarding that which we know to be true.

Come become greater Lord! As I become less.

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On a recent trip to the California coast, I was delighted and amazed by someone I met, a brother-in-Christ that I will name "Randy". He was sitting on a bench at the beach park, reading. Next to him was a stack of books. It was then I noticed the handwritten sign "FREE BIBLES". When I asked him what he was doing, he explained that he came to the beach park two to three times per month and just sat there with his sign and bibles, available for anyone who may want to take a bible or to talk with him.

My heart was so very touched. No loudspeaker, instead, a gentle spirit. No plaquard sign, just a tattered handwritten paper one. No warring or condemning posture, but an open, invitational nature. So much like my Jesus! When I asked if he received resistance to being there, It saddened me to hear that Randy's primary difficulties have come from other Christians.

"You should be in their face! Not just sitting there!" "You need to be telling them about hell" "Don't be so passive!"

All this from Christians who were making their way to the pier for lunch while Randy chose to sit patiently proving his love to Christ and to the lost. He told me stories of some of the surfers who after seeing him month after month, began to sit on the park bench with him, telling him their stories. Then slowly slipping away with a bible in hand.

"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13

How many has he impacted by his visible testimony of faithfulness? How many who have yet to know Christ? But even moreso, how many that already do know Christ? Randy encouraged me that day to remain faithful to my life verse, Philemon 6.

The first part of the verse is not so surprising given our call as Christians..."I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith..." but it is the second half that thrills my heart..."so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing you have in Christ". As we recite the "good news" story to others, we are reminded again of our great privilege in following Him! We continue to discover the "good things" in Christ our Lord. I have seen this truth play out in the lives of believers that take seriously the mandate to share their faith. They are filled with joy and gratitude for all He is and all He has done! Randy is one of them; filled with deep understanding of the gospel and intimate knowledge of Christ.

I don't know about you, but I'm ready to find a parkbench! Thank you Randy, for reminding me to share the gospel of Christ in the love of Christ!

(If you would like to learn more about sharing your faith effectively, go to the Resource Page and check out "Prepare to Engage")

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"Aaahhh-whey-whooooo-ya!" "Aaahhh-whey-whooo-ya!", my 3 year old grandson sat in his car seat singing a praise song to God. His tiny neck was outstretched straining toward heaven as if he didn't want any part of his glorious song to escape the ears of the Father . My first response was laughter and joy as I delighted in this adorable sight. But then the true significance of what was taking place between little Jakey and the Creator of the universe brought me to the realization of what I was witnessing; no other response but stillness was appropriate...I was witnessing a sacred moment. 

It's been awhile since that day, but it was brought to remembrance due to the fact that I have been thinking a lot about Psalm 8 lately. The Lord has set creation before us as a powerful reminder of His unshakable strength and preminence over all. As a follower of Christ, not only do I have a rightful place in ruling over His creation, but the jewel for me in these days, lies in verse 2...

"LORD, our Lord,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory
   in the heavens.
² Through the praise of children and infants
   you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
   to silence the foe and the avenger"

There is a powerful dimension of spiritual authority given to me through the act of praise. The simplist praise embodies the authority to silence the lies and break the powerful schemes of the enemy. I realize more and more that I am but a child, so often I cry out for Him to take my hand and lead me, to give me a willing spirit to be led. But there is something that He requires of me, no matter what circumstance I find myself in...to praise Him! Who in their right mind wants to drag around an ungrateful, bitter, and complaining child!?!

What lies of the enemy are you battling to resist? What schemes of the enemy are you entangled in? Is it injustice? A wounded heart? Confusion and turmoil that leads to unrest? Remember to approach your Daddy with praise; look for the smallest thread of truth in your darkness and make it your proclamation of praise! It is the very thing our enemy hates, for it is what he coveted for himself at the time of the fall.

"You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon." Isaiah 14:13

I envision the enemy shirking in disgust and turning to flee each time I yield and surrender in praise as a result of his schemes of destruction. Perhaps your darkness is overwhelming the recognition of that tiniest thread of truth, spend time today or this evening alone with Him in creation. Sit in wonder at the sunset, be still under the moon and stars. He has given us creation to speak to us of His eternal nature. And when His Spirit reminds you of what is true...stretch out your neck toward heaven, shout it out in praise! Let's shake off the "appropriateness" of our adulthood and recapture the delight of a child.

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So, here's my first post. Amazing. I can't wait to share with you what is on my heart in the weeks and months to come. But for tonight, let's suffice it to say that I find myself in one of the most difficult trials of my life.Yet I see His fingerprints all about me...His hand has not been hard to trace.

What do you do when God has asked you to do the hard thing? Something no one else understands, but just you and Him? It takes courage. Sometimes I get tired of being brave, do you? But I realize that He has not failed me in the past. So I know He will be with me now.

"I will never leave you nor forsake you"...thank you for your nearness, sweet Jesus.

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