Igniting Adventures

Read stories of faith experiences that produced enthusiasm and greater love for the Lord. Events are the focus. What happened? What changed? How did that make Jesus famous or better understood? See life through the eyes of another and enjoy gaining a broader perspective that can benefit you.

Willing to Trust?

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“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.” Matthew 23:37 NASB 95

Are we willing to trust, to come closer, to snuggle under the shadow of the Lord’s wings and stay there?

When He spoke these words, Jesus knew difficult days were coming. He longed to gather God’s people together, close to himself, and protect them. Yet He finished His statement by making this sad comment, “and you were unwilling.”

Recently I had a strange dream. I saw a man-sized hen walking among people some distance away. Suddenly she was in my face. It startled me – to suddenly be eye to eye with a huge chicken. That chicken was in my personal space and close enough to peck my face! Unnerved, I looked in her eyes. The tenderness that was in the hen’s eyes became apparent. Maybe this hen likes me. But could I trust her, or should I flee? I awoke with the dream’s memory freshly intact and feelings of uncertainty swirling.

That chicken reminded me of a traumatic childhood incident. While walking through my neighborhood a German Shepherd approached me wagging its tail. I liked dogs so began petting it. Suddenly that dog stopped wagging, bared its teeth and lunged for my arm. He tore a big swath out of my coat. The experience deeply frightened me. Would this chicken be unpredictable and turn vicious as that dog did? Could I trust it?

The eyes of that hen looked strangely familiar.  Lord, was that You? Did You come to me in the form of a hen, in my dream? Dreams can be strange that way! As I researched and pondered the possible meanings of this dream, I came across the Matthew 23:37 and the dream began to make sense.

In Psalm 91 it says:  “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust. For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.” Psalm 91:1-4 RSV

Tumultuous times began before the Presidential election of 2020. They continue into this 2024 Presidential election cycle. We live in unprecedented times. Unusual events are happening and they are not over. The closer the people of God can get to the heart of God and to each other, the more deeply we can trust in the Lord, the safer we will all be from any coming storm.

Let us receive healing from our past traumas and anything else that causes us to remain aloof from the One whom we should trust. Let us put our trust more fully in the Lord. Let us find our resting place close to God, remaining stable and fixed under His wings, near each other, safe from any oncoming trouble.

There is much deception out there these days. Whose report do we believe? Is this or that real? What is the truth? “Jesus said…, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6 ESV

 My suggestion to you is to draw near to the author of Truth. Put your trust in Him. Shed all internal misgivings you feel toward Him. God is absolutely good! Avoid what distracts from building that trust. Get closer to Him. Stay under His wings! How? Keep reading and you’ll find one suggestion.

For help with heart issues consider utilizing the Praying Medic’s relatively new book entitled, “Emotional Healing Made Simple.”  I have found it helpful. The author doesn’t know I am suggesting his book to you. May the Prince of Peace be with you in ever increasing ways!

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

Jesus loves you and wants to gather you under His wings like a hen gathers her chicks!

Note: Bible references taken from blueletterbible.org

My Thanksgiving Story

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Monday a friend and I did some shopping together at a distant location. We loaded our selections of bagged products into her trunk, hers on the left side and mine on the right.  Next we drove back to the community center in her neighborhood where my car was waiting. She parked beside my car so we could easily transfer bags from her trunk into mine.  As I prepared to get out of the car it occurred to me to tell her she could just stay inside if she wanted and I would do the transfer because when we’d shopped together previously she’d helped me transfer the goods.

Being the kind hearted soul that she is, she disregarded my suggestion and got out of her car to help me. We moved my share of the bags from her trunk to mine and shut the trunks. That’s when she reached for the handle of her car door on the driver’s side. It wouldn’t open. Pale faced, she looked at me with eyes protruding. Oh no!  Her car was locked with the engine running. We both peered through the car’s windows and saw her keys dangling in the ignition. Glancing back, I again took in the distressed look on her face.

God’s peace was steadying my heart as I stood on the other side of her car. The thought entered my mind to open the passenger side door. Without a doubt or thought of consideration on how unlikely this would be to work, I pulled on the handle. The door readily opened. Next I pushed the unlock button so my friend could get in on her side. She sighed and smiled and opened the door. Then I looked at her and said, “That should not have worked.”

“I know!” she replied.

We both went our way, me thinking about what had just transpired.

 The driver’s side of a car has the master control over locking a car. If you lock the driver’s side the entire car will lock with one push. Models vary in precisely how unlocking works but it is consistent that when the driver’s side locks so do all the other doors. Most cars are designed that way. It’s a convenience to the driver and a safety for the vehicle to lock all doors in one action. Toyotas work that way and her’s is a Camery. Since the driver’s door was locked all the other doors should also have locked. But we got back in easily against all logic.  Praise God!

Did we have some supernatural help? Did angels work with us to resolve this perplexing situation? It wouldn’t surprise me! It wouldn’t be the first time God has helped his children get through locked places in times of distress. There are biblical example of unlockings happening in the book of Acts. See Acts Chapters 5 and 12.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+5%3A17-23&version=ESV https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+12%3A10&version=ESV

God watches over his children and sometimes he does supernatural acts to help them. And he often does them without fanfare or fireworks. He can be so subtle. He’s not about showing off but helping out. There were no flashing lights, no bullhorns, no parade; just a simple, quiet, impossible resolution to a problem. The door opened when it shouldn’t have. Now God’s kids could be about the business they were called to that day rather than be waylaid by a problem that could have taken considerable time to resolve. Yet I could have missed it and gone on about my day without paying attention to what had happened. Let’s take note of God’s merciful kind actions on our behalf. Let’s give him the credit and the praise for the good things he has done and be thankful for his kindness and his love.

HAPPY Thanksgiving!

Jesus Ascended & Sent the Spirit

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Thursday is Ascension Day. There will be 10 days from the Day of Ascension until Pentecost Sunday, which is May 31st in 2020. Consider it could be beyond important for you to prepare. Several leaders in the prophetic community have said Passover this year was more like the first Passover than any other ever in history. That’s because in Jerusalem (as well as here) people didn’t just celebrate it, people observed it. Families stayed in their homes hoping destruction would pass by.  At the first Passover the plague of destruction was death of the firstborn. This time around it was the COVID-19 virus. Since this year’s Passover, was so unique, it has been suggested that this year’s Pentecost will also be like no other with a great outpouring of the Spirit of God arriving around that time.

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Who was passed over at the first Passover? Who escaped death of their firstborn? Those who remained in their homes after having placed the blood of the lamb on their lintels and doorposts; they were spared. Who received the baptism of the Spirit and fire? Those who remained in the upper room waiting with holy expectation while worshiping together and preparing themselves; they experienced the wind and fire of God.  In both cases the obedient received the blessing, the protection and the empowerment of God. The community at large was mostly oblivious. Where are you now with all this? How much do you want to position yourself for whatever God may be about to do on the earth?

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Street Encounters

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 Healing a Toe

It’s a beautiful sunny day, not too hot; time to get outside for an exercise walk. I headed into a local park, walking on a meandering path of asphalt past a Hispanic couple seated on park bench. Being somewhat observant, I noticed the woman’s leg was extended, up on her man’s lap.  As I passed by I inquired how they were doing. The typical answer of “fine” came back, and it didn’t look like this is really the case. I pursued it a bit more by commenting on the woman’s leg. That’s when the couple opened up to some extent. It seems the man had accidentally stepped on the woman’s toe and she was in pain. The toenail looked clouded. I offered prayer.

 

Opening up some more, they both agreed. I explained that I would be praying in the name of Jesus; that I have an anointing from God to release his healing to people; and that it’s God who does the healing, not me. They still agreed.  The man said they are Christians and that he believed me. He meant it. I placed my hand gently over her toe and left it there as I spoke with them some more. After a few minutes I asked the woman how her toe was feeling. She said the pain was gone. The man’s face lit up with surprise and pleasure all at the same time. Continuing to leave my hand there a while longer, I went on to tell them about where revival is going on locally so they can visit if they’d like. I got the impression they aren’t in a fellowship anywhere so I hope they visit the place I told them about, or go somewhere else for support. After this encounter I walked onward and into several more street encounters; encounters of precious ones with different needs and God gave me different things to say each time.

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Marching Forth March Fourth Weekend

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Revival Arrival

Last weekend was monumental; a turning point in many ways. I am thrilled beyond measure and that feels really good because it’s been a long time since I’ve genuinely felt THIS excited about any goings on. Get ready to hear about all the turnkey events! They indicate the sparks of a new revival have come to light on the people and places right where I live. Can’t wait to tell you about it! Continue reading →