"Out with the OLD and IN with the NEW!" As the saying goes.

Farewell yet another year! UN-believable!

Where has the time gone?

I would have to say that 2010 has been one of thee most emotionally challenging years I have had in my entire life....easily....and I am happy to wish it a found ado!
 I can only hope, pray and trust that 2011 will bring some what less of a tsunami of emotional and physical trials my way. If not at least that I will have learned how better to walk in the peace afforded me through Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus our Messiah).
What with all the relational challenges in my life, (in and out of the family), changes in leadership at church, at work, conquering nasty melanoma and breaking multiple bones in my body at differing times; and deaths in my immediate family,  (just to name a "few" )...I am ready for a NEW Year to begin!
"Out with the OLD and IN with  the NEW!" As the saying goes.

So whatcha' say? anyone care to join me?

I really have no idea what 2011 holds for me. It very well may be just as hard as 2010, for all I know. But I am bound and determined NOT to look back no matter what!

If there is ONE thin I know for sure. It is that the Lord loves me. HE has brought me through all of this. HE has allowed me to go through 2010.....and I made it through. The waters rose high and they did not over take me; the fire burned hot but it did not consume me. People, friends and family turned away from me, but HE, the Lord, stayed right by my side and in fact when I could go no further, HE carried me.

The Lord showed me a secret place inside the mountain.
When I cried out to Him, "Lord I can not climb this mountain! I can not!"
The Lord answered, "My precious Amy. I am not asking you to climb the mountain. Follow me inside the mountain."

That's when He shared with me about wisdom and knowledge being the true treasures of life. How they are learned through life's struggles. Then He went on to compare them to the treasures found INSIDE the mountains caves.  As the Lord spoke to me I had a vision of what He was saying.

"Although the mountain top is beautiful," the Lord said, "and most everyone sets their sights on reaching the top of the mountain, the deepest darkest part of the caves is where the most precious treasures are found. One must first find the cave then dig deep and mine into the wall of the cave to find precious rubies and sapphire and diamonds. On the wall of the cave you'll find gold dust to get to the purest gold you need to dig deep inside."

I was utterly amazed at what the Lord was showing me and telling me.....He continued by sharing with me about King David.....and all the time he spent in the caves and what he wrote in the caves; all the wisdom that came forth from his time spent INSIDE the mountain caves. The Lord also shared about Apostle Paul and his time in prison (or in a cave) and ALL the "nuggets of treasures" that came forth from his time as well and John and others as well.

This was quite a beautiful time I had with the Lord. As always ....this time seemed especially healing for me  though.

And so I look especially forward to what ever 2011 holds for me...and who ever my precious Master allows in my life.

May the Lord Bless you as well this coming New Year!!
AmyColleen


p.s. I Miss you

YES!... G-D is STILL and Always in Control!!!

This is AWESOME! This Torah-Bite (weekly teaching from Torah) actually goes hand in hand with what my Pastor from Montgomery Assembly spoke on Sunday! Awesome! Pastor Dave Sunday Dec. 12, 2010 Va-Yehi For the week of December 18, 2010 / 11 Tevet 5771 Torah: Bereshit / Genesis 47:28 - 50:26 Haftarah: 2 Melachim / 2 Kings 2:1-12  Misinformed Feelings When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him." So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this command before he died, 'Say to Joseph, Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him. (Bereshit / Genesis 50:15-17; ESV) Just as God revealed to Joseph in dreams years before, God placed him in a position of power over his family. No one could have guessed the context in which this would occur. Second only to Pharaoh in Egypt, Joseph administered a massive food program which sustained not only Egypt during a severe famine, but also the surrounding region. Joseph's brothers had no clue that when they plotted against him they were seeking to destroy the very person God had planned to use to save them. In a way only God can do, he used Joseph's brothers' violent hatred of him as the means by which Joseph was put into a position to preserve not only their own lives, but the destiny of their whole nation. Imagine what it must have been like for the brothers to spend the rest of their lives in Egypt under the good graces of Joseph. I am sure they were well aware of how blessed they were in a material sense, having suffered through the first years of the famine. At the same time, it must have been very difficult emotionally. We know this from our passage. They had figured that Joseph was only being kind to them for their father's sake. They thought that once Jacob had died, they would be the targets of Joseph's vengeance. It is most likely that the message they sent to Joseph about Jacob's request regarding forgiving them was fabricated. But they were understandably scared of what Joseph might do to them. After all, they deserved retribution for their evil, and Joseph had it in his power to severely mistreat them. But note Joseph's response to them. He wept. Joseph was heartbroken that they thought the way they did. As we saw last week, Joseph regarded God as having the upper hand in his ordeal. He knew that God was using him to preserve his family. He had no animosity towards them, his graciousness toward his brothers was firmly rooted in his trust in God. I don't blame the brothers for not being quick to accept where Joseph was at. They certainly had not conducted their own lives this way. If the roles would have been reversed, then they may have taken advantage of their position of power and insist on retribution. They couldn't fathom that someone could forgive, accept, and love them as Joseph did. I wonder if God weeps for us much like Joseph did for his brothers. How often do we relate to God, not on the basis of reality, but from misinformed feelings? He has done everything necessary so that we could be in an intimate relationship with him. Through the Messiah he has demonstrated to us his forgiveness, acceptance, and love. It is understandable that those who refuse to turn to him in repentance and trust would feel alienated from him, but those who have been reconciled to him have no reason to fear his rejection. One reason for being uncertain about how God relates to us could be due to serious unresolved issues in our lives. Having a sense of God's disapproval when we are involved in truly wrong things is appropriate. That sense of disapproval is a sign of God's work in our lives and should drive us to get right with him. But other times we are uncertain in our relationship with God due to misinformed feelings. This comes from basing our understanding of him more on how we see ourselves and life, than on how God has revealed himself. God, like Joseph, grieves over our how we allow our feelings to misinform us. When we begin to base our understanding of God on his own revelation of himself rather than upon our misinformed feelings, we will begin to relate to him in the way he longs for us to.

Comments You can comment on this week's message online by going to the TorahBlog version.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue:" Proverbs 18:21

Who do you "really" love and what have you said to them today?

1 Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

There is always time to make things right.....

Torah....G-d's Word.....The Bread of Life....a Light unto my Path

Comforter - Ruach Hakadosh - -Ha-Melitz Holy Spirit so comforting! Just when I thought I was about to fall apart....The Word of G-d spoke.



(I apologize for the re-post but as I looked into it I found that my little loaf of bread link did not bring you right to the rest of the commentary so I wanted to post the rest of it on here!....
Also...As I continued on with my own reading I found myself to be doubly blessed as I read from the "TorahBites" They have the same scriptures from Torah but chose a different  passage to do their thought of the week on and it spoke  deeply to me as well. So I thought I would pass it along too!)

It may seem like a bit of reading but well worth it!!!

If you find yourself blessed by it...you can click on the little loaf of bread link and sign upi for your FREE weekly emails!!

 

As I woke this weary Monday morning here in Ohio. After giving room to my Lord in prayer I opened the Word and saw this week’s Torah portion! I was so blessed! My heart *smiled* and I cried!

I will share only a small portion here, as you can simply *click* on the upper left hand corner of my blog where you see the little loaf of bread and continue to read the rest.

I WILL ADD this…a simple reminder remember to pray always, stay close to the foot of the throne and be still before His Majesty Our Lord G-D the G-d of Abraham Isaac and Jacob and know that it is not by anything you have done but because of the Mercy and Grace of  our Lord Yeshua HaMashiach you are able to do just THIS!

weekly e-dreash

First Fruits of Zion

Signet , Cord and Staff

Parasha: Vayeshev

Tags: Judah, Judah's staff, messiah, Peretz, staff, tribe of Judah

Vayeshev - וישב: "And he dwelt"
Torah : Genesis 37:1-40:23 
Haftarah : Amos 2:6-3:8 
Gospel : John 2:13-4:42

Thought for the Week

As Tamar's pregnancy began to be obvious to others, she would confidently "tap her stomach and declare, 'I am big with kings and redeemers.'" (Genesis Rabbah 85:10) So may Messiah be fully formed within us, and may we never forget who dwells within.

Commentary

In Genesis 38:18, as Judah negotiates with Tamar (whom he assumes to be a prostitute) he asked her "'What pledge shall I give you?' And she said, 'Your seal and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.' So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him.'"
The Rabbis of old saw messianic revelation in Genesis 38's story of Judah and Tamar. As we look at their comments, we are afforded a wonderful opportunity to observe a typical example of classic midrashicallegory. A midrash is a form of biblical interpretation developed by the ancient Rabbis. Its goal, derived from the Hebrew root for the word drash — "seek, search" is to attempt to find the deeper inner, often hidden meaning of the Torah by use of the allegory and word associations.
After agreeing to the price, Tamar demanded that Judah leave a pledge as a guarantee just in case he was to forgo his payment to her. The pledge she demanded was Judah's personal identification articles: his name signet (probably a cylinder seal with his name on it), the cord which held his cylinder around his neck and his personal walking staff.
The sages of old, practicing classic midrash, saw much more in these verses than what most of us would be able to see. Without negating the literal, most obvious sense of the words, the rabbis went "deeper" and said, "'Thy signet' alludes to royalty (citing Jeremiah 22:24); And 'thy cord'...alludes to the Sanhedrin (citing Numbers 15:38). And 'Thy staff' alludes to the royal Messiah, as in the verse, 'The staff of thy strength the LORD will send out of Zion.'" (Psalm 110:2) (Genesis Rabbah 85:9)
The first thing to note is that the rabbi who developed this midrash connected the reference to "the signet" and Numbers 15:38 because this Torah reference was to wearing blue in the fringes of your four-cornered garment. This alludes to the Sanhedrin because, the Sanhedrin wore fringed cloak, (talit). Second, notice, most importantly that in Judah's staff the rabbis saw the Messiah. Perhaps they connected the passage in Genesis 49 which places the staff of kingship in the tribe of Judah. Lastly, when the Rabbis cited Psalm 110 as a proof-text for their interpretation concerning the staff of Judah, they betrayed the fact that they also considered Psalm 110 to be a Messianic Psalm-as we also do. Psalm 110 is the most frequently quoted Psalm in the Apostolic Scriptures.
To what end do these things betoken Messiah? The offspring of Judah and Tamar is Peretz, the father of the Davidic line through whom Messiah would ultimately be born.
Truly, Messiah may be found throughout the Torah.

Thought of the week from TorahBites

Va-Yeshev
For the week of November 27, 2010 / 20 Kislev 5771
Torah: Bereshit / Genesis 37:1 - 40:23
Haftarah: Amos 2:6-3:8

God Is in Charge

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. (Bereshit/ Genesis 37:3-5; ESV)

The story of Joseph is one of the most mind-blowing stories in the entire Bible. It is the story of how God uses a most dysfunctional family for his plan and purposes. Not only did he use jealousy and hatred to preserve the nation of Israel, but also of Egypt and the surrounding region. Joseph's understanding of how God was involved in his difficult circumstances are summed up by his words to his brothers some time after the whole clan moved to Egypt, when he said, "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today" (Bereshit / Genesis 50:20; ESV). There is no doubt in Joseph's mind that God's good intentions for Israel, Egypt, and many others were carried out through his brothers' evil intentions.

Let's look at some of the details of what happened. Joseph, the eleventh of twelve sons, was his father's favorite. Jacob had no qualms about broadcasting his feelings about Joseph in public in that he gave Joseph the gift of an extraordinary outer garment. Joseph had no qualms about speaking badly about his brothers to their father. This all would be sufficient to cause significant problems between Joseph and his brothers, We read "But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him" (Bereshit / Genesis 37:4; ESV).

Then we read that Joseph had two dreams that predicted that he would rule over his parents and brothers. We do not know Joseph's motivation in sharing his dreams with his family, since the Torah provides no behind-the-scenes commentary on what he was thinking. All we know is that his older brothers hated him all the more to the point of wanting to kill him. One day when Jacob sent Joseph to check up on them, they were about to murder him. The eldest brother, Reuben, convinced the others to hold off in hopes of rescuing him. While Reuben was away attending something, the nine brothers sold him to slave traders on their way to Egypt. They then deceived their father into thinking that Joseph was killed by wild animals. Do note if it wasn't for Reuben's intervention, Joseph would have been killed.

Joseph served as a slave in Egypt. Yet God made him successful in his work. Even when he resisted his master's wife's advances, which ended up in his going to prison, there too God was with him, resulting in his being put in charge of the other prisoners. It was due to his accurate interpretation of some dreams of his fellow prisoners that he was eventually called up to interpret some of Pharaoh's dreams, thus resulting in his release and promotion to second in command in Egypt. This was the set up for the fulfillment of Joseph's earlier dreams concerning him and his family.

In the midst of all the human intrigue, jealousy, hatred, and lust, God's was at work for good. The Torah in no way excuses the evil just because God used it for his own good purposes. Also, there is no impression given that God made the bad stuff happen. The people did the bad. Yet the bad stuff served the overall purposes of God.

People also did the good stuff. Joseph was faithful to God in the midst of his terrible circumstances. It was not as if he was a passive spectator as God manipulated the situation to accomplish his purposes. He actively trusted God and worked hard. At the same time, it was not as if Joseph had the ability in himself to make things work out as they did. God did that. The Torah gives no impression that people are mechanically controlled by spiritual forces. Human responsibility in the affairs of life is not an illusion, but a reality. But whatever effect our actions have, God's plans and purposes cannot be thwarted. That's why we can trust him no matter what happens to us. While we cannot understand how this works, it is comforting to know that God is in charge.

Alone with God

Alone with God

Quaking, shaking, crying

On my face

Holy, holy, holy

Nothing else

Only holy, only holy

Nothing else

Only holy, only holy

Sudden hush of glory

Peace, quiet, stillness,

On my face

Holy, holy, holy

Nothing else

Only holy, only holy

Nothing else

Only holy, only holy

Voice of God speaks

Small, quiet, mighty

Enters my soul

Heals, delivers, instructs

Heaven comes down

Humbled, thankful, jubilant

Angelic voices singing

Holy, holy, holy

Nothing else

Only holy, only holy

Nothing else

Only holy, only holy

I join in

On my face

Sing

Holy, holy, holy

Nothing else

Only holy, only holy

Nothing else

Only holy, only holy

Alone with God

By: AmyColleen

The Empty Room in the Church

A Dream

I had a dream that I was in the church with men and woman of all ages. We had just gotten out of a wonderful worship service and were all headed towards the fellowship area of the church. At first the men and woman were hanging out together, then they split up. I did not go with the rest of the woman, at first, I had found a small cozy room with a bed, lamp and bible in it and chose to stay in there. The men went one place; and the woman went into another very large area.

After a short while, I put my Bible down and got up and went and visited the others. I saw the men standing around in the kitchen. They were all very nice to me and even tried to engage me in conversation. Then as I walked on I found the woman. They were all in a very large room that looked very much like a closet, which was loaded with hanging clothes. They were all pulling out outfits that were hanging on the closets poles, one by one, and discussing whose they were and going further to discuss the person themselves.

I stood there at first, in an almost state of unbelief, then I actually joined in…..bringing up the ungodly way we have allowed our children to dress themselves. Then I felt uncomfortable as all eyes were on me. So I left their company and began walking back to my comfortable room with the bed and lamp and Bible….I passed the men in the kitchen who offered me something to drink and some more conversation. I took a cup of water and kept going. I didn’t make it to my room because I saw a different room on my way. A room I hadn’t noticed before, in the church. The door was open and the room was empty, so I went in. It was a simple room with simple enough carpet. Nothing on the walls. I do remember the walls were the same color as the carpet, chocolate or earthy.

There was an altar….it was a step that went completely across the room; and above the altar there was a window the entire wall size. ….I walked in the room and walked down to the step (altar) and sat down. I just sat there and thought to myself, “I never even knew this room was here before. It’s never been used. It’s like new. It’s old…the style is old…but it’s like new.” At that I laid down and started to take a nap and I saw something out of the corner of my eye…..there was a door to my left. (facing the altar to the right) it seemed to open some, and I noticed a few things in front of it. I wasn’t afraid….just a bit apprehensive, I didn’t want to leave, at all…..and I still wanted to take a tiny nap, so I reached over and took the things and placed in front of the door…so nothing would come through while I was asleep.

There was a Green Fern Fawn

A Large Gold Ring

A Simple Chair

A Old Pair of Shoes

A String of Fruit; that actually looked like jewels.

Of course this didn’t keep the door from opening…… and this got my attention….

I went over to try and secure the door and this is what I heard.

"This is your new Room/Ministry

Where I am leading you…away from the masses…to a quiet place…to seek my face and hear my voice…to know me.

Come out from among them and be ye separate.

Do not partake in things I find detestable!

Lying. Bearing false witness. Building yourself up.

The time has come to become as I AM.

Do you not wish this?

Come away with me.

Offer yourself as a living sacrifice…pure and Holy and acceptable to Me and see

The Glory of your God Arise upon your life and the fruit of My Glory bring life everlasting to those around you!"

When I awoke….I realized I was being asked to walk a different walk….and being taken to a new place with the Lord.

*********************** ************* *********************************

This was four or so years ago (I had this dream in 2006) and my life has most certainly been through insurmountable challenges….my faith tested beyond what I ever expected and the entirety of who I am/was has changed dramatically both inside and out.

I know my maker deeper. I know my God more intimately. I love my Lord more intensely, more passionately than I ever have in my entire life and I now need Him more than I ever have before.

Born a slave to sin through the curse I was given the great gift of choice by my blessed Holy Father God….and when HE found me….I choice to follow him. Now, after so many years; now after so many tears; now after all I have lived through; after all the Lord has seen me through…the fires the floods and the tribulations of abandonment and betrayal. The broken hearts, the broken promises and disappointments. Having gone through this life with Yeshua never leaving me….never forsaking me…always there by my side….seeing me through. When everyone else left me.When everyone else gave up on me….when everyone else had refused to see anything good in me… Yeshua…was faithful.

~ and ~ Because He was faithful through it all.

I have come to a place in my life....walk...relationship with Him (Yeshua/Jesus) that I truly feel I now have NO CHOICE.

I couldn't possibly walk away from the Lord if I tried.

THIS WORLD HAS NOTHING FOR ME.

My Everything

Wow.

So many reasons I love the Lord....let me count the ways.
One ...two....three....four....five.....six......wait a minute I think I am actually supposed to "tell" you why aren't I?

*smile*

WOW

That would take like FoReVeR since I love him for sooooooo many reason and so many ways.
For instance, the face that,

GOD LOVES US UNCONDITIONALLY.
That is one of things I love most about Him
and that,
GOD SEES THE GOOD IN US IN EVERYTHING NOT THE BAD.
That is also one of my most favorite things.

I mean have you ever noticed, we as humans have a tendency to "expect perfection"? Especially in others. Jesus spent a good long time in His ministry talking about this. One parable that comes to mind, in particular, is the one about where Jesus talks about ..."worrying about the speck of sawdust we see in our brothers eye without even noticing the plank of wood in our own eye." (paraphrased Matthew 7:3)
Part of our human nature I guess....we do that allot. Have a tendency to judge "others" more often than ourselves. Although that can be change, as we change and become more in the likeness and image of Jesus. As John the Baptist put it, "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)

Another thing I absolutely LOVE about the Lord is,
HE IS FAITHFUL.

I can always count on Him no matter what. I have lived a very long 49 years and I will admit have put my God through allot....and He has NEVER LEFT MY SIDE>>>>>>EVER.
He has always been there for me. During my darkest hour.

And a few more things I love....He....

ALWAYS KEEP HIS WORD....HIS PROMISES.....ALWAYS
HE'S NEVER LATE
HE CAN READ MY MIND, WHEN I CAN'T FIND THE WORDS TO SAY
HE GIVES THE BEST HUGS EVER
I LOVE HIS LAUGH
HE'S A GREAT DANCER
THE BEST TEACHER I HAVE EVER HAD
HE GIVES THE BEST ADVICE
HE NEVER -EVER-EVER-GIVES UP ON THOSE HE LOVES
.
You know I just realized I am describing the Lord.....*smile*.....well, I guess it's just kinda hard "count the ways" you love someone in words.

The Lord, God, Jesus....is MY WORLD...the very reason for my existence.

You know I was having a conversation with someone the other day about music and a certain singer came up in the conversation. She was a Christian artist. This person I was talking with is not a believer. They asked me the question about the singer, "Is this one of those singers that sings only God songs. You know only songs all about God?...I mean I am just not about that. One or two is okay but all of them how can you sing every single one about God?"

You know...I didn't take the opportunity to answer that question at that time as I am going to now. Partly because of the circumstances surrounding the conversation and partly because I hadn't thought of this answer until tonight.

So...the question, "Is this one of those singers that sings only God songs. You know only songs all about God?...I mean I am just not about that. One or two is okay but all of them how can you sing every single one about God?"?"

The answer:
Quite simple actually....when you are passionate about someone or something you can sing a life time about them without ever getting bored or stopping.

After all isn't that what the worldly artists do? Those that sing about LOVE? Drugs and sex?
What ever they are passionate about...and what ever the listener is passionate about is WHAT THEY LISTEN TO.

I personally could sing of HIS love forever.

Yes....HE, Jesus....God....IS MY EVERYTHING.

I love Him ......let me count the ways........(in my sleep tonight)
AmyColleen

I couldn't hear the song birds any more....Word from the Lord

Good morning to you all! Blessing in the name of Yeshua HaMashiach!
I pray and trust you will be blessed as you trust in our most Glorious Lord today!!!

It is an beautiful fall morning!!!! I am sitting here looking out my living room window. It's Monday, I expect most of you are starting your work week today. Me? Well today is my my day off, from my paid job anyway. I am getting ready to finish up a few chores and then out the door to get that new spiffy hair-do I have been talking about all week!

I am running a tad behind...but for good cause! (this ALWAYS happens to me) You see normally I have my morning s mapped out, during the week anyway. You have to you know? At least if you're a woman who works outta the home and has a family AND is a believer. (can I get any AMENS out there?)

ANYway....as I was sayin' normally I have my mornings mapped out but not so much on Mondays - lol -You see, it is the ONLY day I get to NOT wake up top an alarm at "0 dark:30".

I usually get up, and try and "Come to the Garden Alone. While the dew is still on the roses..." (for those of you who know the song. - *smile*- those of you who are not familiar with the song, that means I get up really early to pray alone)...TODAY, was Monday and I slept in until about 8....ahhhh. *big huge grin* Wonderful feeling! Just lay there talking to the Lord about a little of everything....then got up poured a cup of coffee and continued my conversation with him in my living room.

The windows open and the fresh autumn breeze began to blow in and I could hear the song birds singing and the squirrels barking in the trees. The leaves rustling.
I just stopped talking and sat there....for quite a while. I don't remember "thinking" about anything or anyone in particular. Just sitting and enjoying the beauty of fall in the peaceful presence of my Lord.

Then suddenly out of no where I began to feel worry and a sense of concern....then heart break....I became over whelmed. Even to point of wanting to cry. I could no longer hear the song birds singing....or the squirrels barking.

Just like that. I had been sitting in perfect peace with Jesus....in the most beautiful of surroundings and all of a sudden there it was.

I didn't bring it up....so why was it there?

As a matter of fact, I didn't even realize it, was an it, that need such a magnitude of my attention.
Thankfully the one who knows me, knows my heart from beginning to the end....was here with me and HE knew that it needed not only my attention, but more importantly HIS ATTENTION.

That's when "HE" spoke to me...and that's when I ran and got a paper and pen...I jotted down verbatim what He said to me.
After He spoke and I listened....
My heart ache disappeared and I was filled with peace and joy. All the worry and concern I was feeling melted away.

I wanted to share the Word the Lord gave to me this morning with you because I truly believe there are others who may need to hear it as well.

Please don't hesitate to email me or leave a comment and let me know if it blessed you too!

Shalom,
AmyColleen

A Word from the Lord
October 25th, 2010

Divine Obedience

I will move you in perfect time I will not let you fail
If you keep hold of my hand

You may stumble
You may fall
Along this rocky path
But I will lift you right back up
Together we will not miss a step

Trust me

This is a new place I am taking you
This calls for a deeper love - a stronger faith
and A trust in me that will deliver DIVINE OBEDIENCE
We will make this happen together

I always keep my promises

Stay close to me and Keep hold of my hand

It's Time

Hello,

I can't remember the last time I just sat down and wrote straight from my heart...to YOU.
It's been a while.

So I am taking this moment now to do that, right now.

You see, I think about you often...every day actually. Here lately I have even started to sit down and try and put into words what I have been feeling.....to no avail. A sort of writers block, if you will. Until tonight. I just decided, "Forget it! Tell them like it is...straight from your heart Amy. Straight from your heart."

For there really is no greater truth....no stronger reality than telling it as it is.

Did you know God loves you?
No, seriously he does. I know you hear that every where all the time. This time I say it as an ambassador of heaven.

First off let me clarify....I speak of the one true GOD. The God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob... Your creator....not only He who created you but he who has created everything. Everything you see and all you don't see. The heavens and earth. Did you know God created YOU...in HIS image to have a relationship with HIM?
Uh hum, yep....That is why you were created. THAT is your purpose in life.
And God ....your creator....He LOVES YOU.

Now I realize that you may or may not be at a "place in life" to fully comprehend or understand
this in your mind right now....but I also know that IN YOUR HEART you "desire it"....DEEP WITHIN....and for a very long time you have been seeking the meaning of your existence....(How do I presume to know this? you are probably asking at this point?....because at some point in life we all seek the meaning of life.)

It's okay not to understand it all...no one does at first. I didn't. It eventually comes together when you hear how God put everything in it's place for us...when you open up and receive by faith the life...the love...God has to offer through His Son...it all comes together. It ALL begins to make perfect sense. The darkness disappears. The anxiety melts away and is replaced with perfect peace.....And yes....Understanding. But this understanding is only brought about by God's Holy Spirit and can only be obtained through "His" presence or in- dwelling in ones life.

So back to the "God loves you."

and

"Knowing your purpose in life."

I am TALKING to YOU! So Listen up!
I have lived a hard life. I KNOW what it's like!

From the young age of four is my youngest recollection of abuse and abandonment. Physical, sexual, abuse, there was abandonment and wrong choices, sin, drugs, sickness disease, failed marriage, homelessness, betrayals of family members, more sickness....the list goes on....
LIFE IS HARD!

BUT...I will say...GOD is Faithful....Always.....each time I have fallen and I have turned to Him.
HE HAS PICKED ME UP!

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." Psalm 34:19

I want to encourage you right now! Come to the Lord. Come Home....No matter where you have been...what you have done. Don't give a thought to what any one "else" may "think"!
It doesn't matter anyway!

The Lord gave his life for YOU so YOU could be with him!
Simply ask him to forgive you for the sin you've committed (as we have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God) ask him to cleanse you with his blood and make you whole. Acknowledge him as your Messiah/Savior....

Come home!

If you don't know Jesus/Yeshua "personally" yet....NOW is the time.

You Wanted Me to Know

Lord you came into this world

You left your crown upon your throne

Lord you came into this world

To make this sinner your own

You walked along the roads I walked

You brought the answers that I sought

You spoke of life eternally

And how you came to set me free

You said there’d come a time

When you would have to go

You said that you’d be back

How was I to know...?

Lord you came into this world

As a holy sacrifice

To bear my stripes upon your back

And for me be crucified

You said there’d come a time

When you would have to go

You said that you’d be back

How was I to know?

They’d crucify you ~ upon a tree

You’d suffer and die ~ to set me free

How was I to know?

Lord you came into this world

You left your crown upon your throne

You died the death that I deserve

You paid the price ~ now I’m your own

You placed your seal on my heart

Your Holy Spirit by my side

You said ~ “Remember what I’ve done,”

“and please keep my love alive.”

You said your time had come

And that you had to go

You said that you’d be back

Back to take me home

You wanted me to know

Copyright 2001 All rights reserved

By: Amy Colleen Klapp (song)

Such a Love

David (Hebrew דָּוִ(י)ד Dāwīḏ or David)

Jonathan (Hebrew: יְהֹונָתָן Yəhōnāṯān or Yehonatan) were heroic figures of the Kingdom of Israel , whose covenant was recorded favorably in the books of Samuel.

Some of us may know them as the “Bible Best Friends”

Jonathan was the son of Saul, king of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin.

David was the son of Jesse of Bethlehem…What some may not know was that David was also Jonathan’s presumed rival for the crown. As we do know David eventually becomes king.

Story of David and Jonathan

The relationship between David and Jonathan is mainly covered in the Old Testament, First Book of Samuel.

David, the youngest son of Jesse, slays Goliath at the Valley of Elah where the Philistine army is in a standoff with the army of King Saul (Jonathan's father). David's victory begins a rout of the Philistines who are driven back to Gath and the gates of Ekron. Abner brings David to Saul while David is still holding Goliath's severed head. Jonathan, the eldest son of Saul, has also been fighting the Philistines. Jonathan takes an immediate liking to David and the two form a covenant.

“Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father's house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt. So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war.” (1 Sam 18:1 NASB)

David in the wilderness

Saul makes David a commander over his armies and offers Michal, his daughter, in marriage. David enjoys success in battle, and his growing popularity makes Saul afraid "What more can he have but the kingdom?" Saul makes several failed attempts to kill David. Learning of one of these attempts, Jonathan warns David to hide.

David flees into the wilderness. David agrees to hide until Jonathan can confront his father and ascertain whether it is safe for David to stay. Jonathan approaches Saul to plead David's cause: "Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan. He said to him, 'You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness?"

Jonathan is so grieved that he does not eat for days. He goes to David at his hiding place to tell him that it is unsafe for him and he must leave, and the episode ends with them parting ways.

"...David rose from beside the stone heap and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. He bowed three times, and they kissed each other, and wept with each other; David wept the more. Then Jonathan said to David, 'Go in peace, since both of us have sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, "The LORD shall be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants, for ever."' He got up and left and Jonathan went into the city."

The death of Jonathan

As Saul continues to pursue David, the pair renews their covenant, after which they do not meet again. Eventually Saul and David reconcile. Jonathan, however, is slain on Mt. Gilboa along with his two brothers Abinadab and Malchi-shua, and there Saul commits suicide. David learns of Saul and Jonathan's death and chants a lament, which in part says:

“Saul and Jonathan, beloved and pleasant in their life, And in their death they were not parted; They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions... "How have the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places. "I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful Than the love of women. "How have the mighty fallen, And the weapons of war perished!"

So Why have I chosen THIS story to share?

Well....Let's just say I can relate in many ways to much of what David had to go through in his journey to his destiny....THIS part in particular gripped my heart.....The LOVE that David and Jonathan shared and the life statement that it makes through out David's life.

I can relate to this kind of love and the sacrifice of it all.

Although the characters are different....not necessarily a "best friend"...but the plot is the same, there's still the same emotional tugging, controlling and the likes.....and definitely the covenant relationships.I am also having to take a trip into the wilderness for safety sake.

I am sure many of you can relate as well.

I just came from the desert places....and now am entering the wilderness. They are quite similar in many respects.

Both very trying....however when I look at those that went before me through the desert places with the Lord and through the wilderness experiences...I see one common factor. In the dessert they generally traveled alone....and when the Lord brought them into the wilderness.....they weren't alone. The Lord allowed for them to have family, and in some cases like David he ended up having followers. An army of men.

I guess I just felt like I was encouraged today and wanted to share Davids story hoping that maybe "some how" maybe it would encourage someone else......to "be encouraged" IN YOUR DESSERT and/or WILDERNESS experience. After all it is just part of our journey...from here>>>>>>>>TO>>>>>>>>>there.

God Bless and Keep you Close as you serve him with ALL your heart!

Loving the Master with ALL I am,

Amy Colleen