This morning I received an amazing letter from a friend of mine. He has not be around that long. It was pretty amazing. Over the last few weeks, He has seen the blessing of God and His hand move. Last night he wrote me to tell me of many new blessings, but here is the last part.
“So last night for the first time in 17 years I ran 2 miles . When I got off the treadmill I was sweating but hardly winded. AMAZING .I realize that 2 miles may not seem like much but for me with all my “issues” that was like running a marathon. God is amazing , his word is true, and he is always faithful. Thanks for listenin.”
Frankly , I needed to hear it. The last few days have been rough. Lots of amazing things have been happening. But lots of difficult things have happened too. I have felt like “lots” has been on fire. Finances, health, etc.. But you can never give up or stop contending. God did not promise you a rose garden. I rejoice in the fiery trial because there is a promise at the end. 1 Peter 4 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. Continue reading The Garden Culture Of His Grace→
Hannah Lynn Wade 7lbs 3oz, 19″ long 5:32am on 6/24/13
This morning my son Tyler and his lovely wife Emily welcomed Hannah Lynn Wade into the world. The wait was over. She made her entry.
In reality this is not the beginning but a “touch down” in the journey of life. Scripture records and tell us that
Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Hannah did not come from her parents, but through her parents, Tyler and Emily.
Revelation 13:8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast — all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.
Galatians 2:20 tells us “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
That means even when He gave His all, He had and has a plan for Hannah. Hannah in Hebrew speaks of grace and mercy. That is such an awesome place to start. Loving parents, loving God and a name that speaks of grace and mercy. Lynn most likely speaks of “lake” or “waterfall” or “pool.” There is something truly prophetic in that, there is a God who speaks like “many waters.”
So, how miraculous is birth? Specifically this birth? In December 2001 I received a call that Tyler had been involved in an accident and was dead. He was not dead, as it turned out, but he was in a coma for a few months and in rehab. In his life he has “beat” the odds so many times. God has been good Tyler. A few years ago he gave His life to the Lord Jesus. And then he married our beautiful daughter-in-love, Emily.
This birth is not just miraculous, but supernatural. So many issues have been defeated in their lives for the birth of this lively child.
Whenever you may be prone to doubt, I would ask you to be moved by this testimony of the goodness of God.
Hannah Lynn Wade
Hannah-we welcome you into this family with loving arms. Bless you Tyler & Emily. We love you!
I was in worship at our fellowship and while contemplating a picture I began to see this.
A large piece of wood, with planed shavings, all about and a large plane moving across the surface.
I began to have multiple thoughts and saw subsequent pictures, heard various scriptures.
Proverbs 8:30 Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him,
As the wood was planed to thickness, and the shavings fell to the side, I watched the firm strong hands. I felt the strength, the peace, the meticulousness of it all.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
I saw the process and I was mesmerized. Why? Because it was “right there.” In the sanctuary. “God-what are you showing me?” He instantly reminded me of the “setting in place” I had seen the week before.
“I am preparing a people for ‘setting.’ Today is the day that some will be set in place if they will let me. Today is the day that I will make them ‘fit’ if they will let me. It is these, the maturity of my body, that is what I said when I said, ‘For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the
revealing of the sons of God.’ “
I felt that the picture I was being shown was for individuals and corporately. (Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men. Proverbs 22:29) That God is doing a might thing in individuals. In the setting He will bring forth a corporate man for this region. (In Jerusalem he made engines of war invented by skillful men to be on the towers and on the corners for the purpose of shooting arrows and great stones. Hence his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong.2 Chronicles 26:15) That He has
given gifts and talents to be used, that will come forth and shine abroad. (And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called BY NAME (emphasis mine) Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, Exodus 31)
God is specifically calling people to His setting. Ask God to make you the craftsman He has called you to be. To be excellent in your gift, your talent, your calling.
Isaiah 41:7 So the craftsman encourages the smelter, And he who smooths metal with the hammer encourages him who beats the anvil, Saying of the soldering, “It is good”; And he fastens it with nails, So that it will not totter.
On Saturday June 22nd 2013 my daughter Amy and her husband held a reception/party for all their friends and family who were unable to attend their wedding in St. Lucia in April. It was wonderful. They rented The Irish American Home Society building in Glastonbury. Beautiful hard wood floors, well lit, AIR CONDITIONED (It was over 80 and beautiful outside!) and just great.
Amy and a number of her friends put together all the tables with their white and black theme. Another of her friends made sure it was catered well, with tons of food, American, Italian and of course, Haitian. (My son grabbed some of the Haitian picklese thinking it was cole slaw. Nope…habanero seasoned!) The DJ kept the music going, the kitchen kept the food out and the time was low key with no drama.
I saw lots of friends and family.
It was just a great time.
MariahJordan-My turn! Tina, Matt & Jacob in background.Manley visiting…
Lately I have been on the meditation of “not I but Him.”
And I have been crucified with The Messiah, and from then on I myself have not been living, but The Messiah is living in me, and this that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of The Son of God, he who has loved us and has given himself for us.
I notice that all too often we can get caught up in the reality of this life and forget the realities of His life. The last day or so was one of those times for me.
Life began to move along, and one of the things you recognize at higher “speeds” is the rumbles, the revealing of things you could overlook at slower speeds, is dangerous at the higher speeds.
When I was in my teens, one time I decided to “borrow” someone’s bike. They had padlocked the front wheel to the fender. I undid the fender and it allowed the wheel to freely turn. What happened on the highway was a completely different story. The bike developed a difficult bounce and by the time I reached my destination my hands, arms and shoulders were on fire.
In my own life there is a lot to deal with, a lot that needs Him. In a perfect world, I would live on a mountaintop, come down once a month and “avoid traffic.” I worked hard to do that. Now I live in a city in an apartment with people I do not know. Who would have thought? It was fun for a season, but the idea of isolation is on my mind a lot. Why? Because I do not feel as though I “fit in.” I am not sure I ever did, but various things help you to “get by.” My “get by” factors have evaporated on so many levels.
Not all revelation is fun. It may be necessary, but it is not without pain. I am experiencing one of those “painful” times. I listened to a friend tell me that the stretching they were encountering was painful. I get it. Times of stretching reveal the “memories” that need to be overcome. These times reveal memories of failure, pain, limitations and more. The minor annoyances we incur may be the “checking of the system. “11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Last week, I told God, “I cannot take it anymore.” The apartment had been getting to me, the money had been escaping me, even getting a job seemed beyond my reach. “I am putting on the brakes” I said. I have done all I know how. I stopped. “Gave up” so to speak. I am not being stubborn, just trying to figure out the right place.
I know for many life feels as though it has stood still. It has not. I assure you all systems are being checked out. That which you deem to be a minor annoyance or aggravation has the hand of the Lord on it. For me, I am pulling “back.” Way back. Limiting everything but the things at hand. That means dealing with the house for the final time, the RV and boat, ending that whole phase of anchorship. There is another phase that follows that and I am not excited by that either, but it is another anchor being pulled up. I have applied for work, done the phone screens, but frankly there are some limiting factors I cannot overcome. They have to be God. This time will be pulled back. Way back! I have things that have been spoken that honestly I just need to evaluate.
I have been going through a “risk” thing. Part of my conversation with Him, was “God, put it before me.” So far I have not seen it. But if it involves risk and He tells me, is it risk?
I knew this would be an early morning. Why? Because I wanted to sleep in. But first, Jacob woke me up. And then I heard the buzzer on the coffee. That wonderful chime that lets you know it is ready. I would bet many are impatient as they wait for the finished product.
When I had a small coffee company I was welcomed with open arms. (The good news is coffee is a seed from a berry, so, it is healthy for you!) But if I was going to invent a coffee brewer, not only would it be turbo, but the buzzer would go off 30 seconds before the completion, to make sure there is no wasted time. Okay, so I am up. One of my real estate clients in the early 80’s was an electrician. He invited me to his home I had sold him. A converted lake home, they had done a wonderful job. While I was admiring it, I saw this one wire in the master bedroom that was tagged red. I followed the wire with my eyes and saw it headed towards the kitchen. “Steve? What is that for?” “Oh. I am putting in a master panel over my bed and one switch will run to the Mr. Coffee machine. When I wake up, I hit the switch!”
I am not impatient about coffee. If Tina is gone for work or something, it is unlikely that I will make it or go get it. So, in the darkened room I walked out to the kitchen the smell of coffee was in the air. I thought, “wow! That is some strong coffee.” As I stepped into the kitchen I knew why. We had coffee…in abundance. On the floor, on the counter tops.
Maybe this is a sign! Meanwhile, I am cleaning up!
The last few weeks I have been in “full court” press to get pages in my book cleaned up and ready for my friend who has agreed to edit. As of yesterday I passed the 30 page mark, completing 2 of the 6 “ideas” or chapters.
I confess it is easier to write than it is to be organized. Give me a topic. Give me an hour. Come back and take it with you. I thought when I came back from my daughter’s wedding in April I would just jump in and get it done. The book is on interrupted process, but it is clear, I should have written on “it is finished” or something like that!
Having beautiful weather makes it that much harder. I have to do the “delayed gratification” in my life. I will not go outside for a motorcycle ride until I am done with this page, chapter or sentence. Add in family and life gets more difficult. I have been in the middle.
So, I am working on pulling together a chapter a day. I figure I am about halfway to where I want to be. Still working on the prophetic manual, working on another book sporadically that has to do with where you live. I really believe that once I get this book finalized life will be easier. This is learning curve 101.
The last few weeks have been harder. Flat tires, car accidents and friends and family going through some things have increased the difficulties of getting things done.
My next few weeks include Alyssa’s birthday (June 20), school out for kids, Amy’s reception in Connecticut, baby any day with Ty & Em, my birthday (July 3rd-consider joining us!), Amy’s birthday (July 10th) and Tina’s birthday on July 12th. Add in teaching a class, visitors from church and motorcycling and like everyone else, life is busy! (Add in a job offer I have been considering…)
I wanted to bring folks up to date on the book and life in general.
Today is my daughter’s birthday. Alyssa, I am proud of you!
When my your mom and I made the decision to marry 20 years ago, you and your younger brother were part of the package! I was pretty excited.
I know over the years we have had a difference or two, but I love you! I appreciate who you have become in your life. I know life is not easy sometimes and despite that premise, you have made some awesome decisions.
Not everyone gets to be part of their children’s lives and when you get grandchildren as part of the
Years ago, I wrote a story for the newspaper on acceptance. I talked about the stages of grief for part of it and the acceptance or finality that was required to move ahead. Life is like that. Sometimes to make a change you have to “agree” with something or accept it to make the changes necessary.
For instance when you accept there is corruption in the government, you are posed with two choices. Do nothing or do something? No matter who you are, change and the ability to change are hardwired into you.
The results of acceptance are that you accept the outcome, deny the wanted answer or recognize the futility of something. But there is an also an acceptance of who you are and what you can accomplish.
Too often we “settle” for something because we assume it will not get any better or never change. I would be lying to you to say that I have not had a moment or two of that type.
There is a famous prayer.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Reinhold Niebuhr
My concern for a while has been people accept less than what is God’s best for them or His provision for them. Life is subject to change. All of it. Every time. Either you choose to believe the scriptures or you do not.
You can choose what you change.
Can God raise the dead? Have others raised the dead? So why not you?
Can God heal people from cancer? Have people been healed from cancer? So why not you?
Did God multiply the fish? Find the coin? Do you know people who have had magnificent provision in their lives? So why not you?
We do not have to “accept” the substandard or even the norm. Now, right here I will say what you believe will be important. Do you believe God raises the dead, heals the sick? Do you believe you have the ability to change? Do you accept the fact that you “deserve” good? We can choose excellence or better every time. And I accept and I never doubt that God is on my side and moving things ahead for me. What you accept will change over time. What you accept will determine going forward motion. Your acceptance can lead to reward and favor.
What you do with “answers” will have a lot to do with your responses. No does not mean never. It is not semantics but a reality founded in truth. You will always have the choice to accept or reject. Those actions will be based on the premise of what you believe. So, if you use that prayer, be sure to rely on His wisdom and not yours. You will find much of life is changeable to those who believe.
