We get many calls into the office of our painting company from people who want their kitchen cabinets refinished. They want to update their kitchen but the cost of new cabinets are more than they want to spend. I get that. New cabinets are about the same as a new car.

What happens, invariably, is the response of “I just want them painted. Why does it cost so much?”

We respond to God the same way. We ask God to change us, make us look different. But what we really want is for Him to just put a fresh coat of paint on our old self to make us look new.

In reality, the painting happens last. Each cabinet door is handled 10 times before the painting process can begin. First the doors are removed and labeled with their position on the kitchen. They are now taken to the shop where the cleaning, sanding, repairs, and a special primer that keeps any lingering stain from coming through has to happen. Last, once the finish of the door is as close to “factory” as possible, the painting can happen.

We need to let God remove us from our old self, clean us, “sand” us and repair us. We need to sit and let the blood of Jesus cover us so our old stains are gone. It is all part of the being transformed into the image of Christ. It is then we are ready for the Master Artist to complete His work.

2 Corinthians 5:17 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

I was all ready to go to the gym. Grabbed the keys to the truck and headed out the door. First thing I noticed was the low fuel light and then I saw the gauge, buried in the red. I am the person who is sure if I have less than a quarter of a tank, I am in danger of being stranded. MInd you, I have never been stranded because of no gas but I could be and it's the "could be" that results in filling up at a quarter of a tank. 

So now I have a major dilemma. I am ready and on time for my exercise class. Do I chance it and drive "white knuckles" the 8 miles to the gas station? I won't need to exercise, I will have burned more calories worrying the whole way. I retreated to the house when I remembered we always have extra gas in the shop. I was saved! Not really, EVERY can was empty, just fumes like the truck.

I was sulking a bit about this and maybe a little irritated with my husband for leaving me the truck on empty. Okay, I was. But here's the thing, I put the empty cans in the truck and drove to my dad's house( 2 houses down from mine). He put one of his spare cans of gas in my truck, I put his now empty can in the truck and off I went to class.

Later, as I was spending a small fortune filling the truck and empty cans, I thought how convenient it would be if I had a "low fuel" light to remind me I need to fill up. A few years ago, in the aftermath of loss and suffering, my doctor tried to tell me how I was running on fumes but I couldn't see it. Until I fell apart, it wasn't pretty. When we know we are running low we go to people we love for some much-needed fuel. Thier love, insight, and support give us just enough to keep going. They are not meant to fill us. 

At the pump, filling the many cans and the truck, I had to swipe my card twice because I went over their limit. In order to be filled, I had to go to the source. What my dad shared with me was enough for a short trip but to travel for a long haul, I had to go where the supply was abundant.

God is the source for all my needs. I can lean on people for encouragement and support and get some fuel. I can call on those who lean on God as their source and get more but if I want to be filled to overflowing, I need to go to God myself. He will supply all of my needs. 

Originally posted at whistleblowerjeff.holyspiritwind.net

My daughter, write these words down.

My child, My children are very disobedient. They’re insistent on walking in the same way they have walked for years. They refuse to give up anything, set in their ways with no concern that their ways are bringing them straight to hell if they don’t turn from them and do an about face.

They will sit in their churches with all the abominations to Me and not think twice about it. They will embrace these people. They call themselves My people; they say they are the children of God. They are nowhere near Me. These so-called Christians are walking with their father, the father of lies.

Anyone whose heart is truly for Me walks in obedience to Me. They cherish My commands and see the freedom of walking in My Will. My children who are truly of Me enjoy being with Me, enjoy My Presence, do not sit in defiance against My Word. They understand how I desire to be loved and it has and always will be through obedience.

I hate the proud, the lying tongue, the false witness, the ones who plan mischief and lie in wait for their prey. I hate the pride I see so much of especially in America; most prideful, arrogant people who care only about themselves but put on a show that they are concerned about others. I hate the thievery I see. My house has been robbed so many times that if I were to make each one pay back what they owe Me x 7, they would be unable to do so. There is not enough money in America to pay Me back. These whores have used My Name for their gain– OH THEY WILL PAY– I will wipe the smug look off their faces and strip them bare.

So many of them lift themselves high (haughty) and I will soon come crashing down on their high towers, their houses. As they robbed Me and used the money to live lavishly, I will remove what they purchased through dishonesty, lies and deceit. The house of God has become a den of thieves, a business, money changers profiting off My Name. What I give I give freely. What I give My people they are to give freely to others whether it is a word of wisdom, word of knowledge, prophetic word or whatever else I have shared with them.

I AM has always provided for My children but these do not believe. They are NOT content on living with less and they are never content with what they already had; always hungry for more and more; never hungry for the true manna from heaven. Their churches are NOT on a firm foundation, not established on the Rock. They feed lies to My sheep but My sheep do not diligently research or question their leaders. They believe every lie fed to them because he is a man of God they say. My children do not come to Me, do not seek, do not care. If it sounds good, they are all for it.

I speak of the Laodicean church – it is rampant throughout this nation, America, which I detest. America was blessed but they took these blessings and used them to corrupt, to cheat that were to be shared with My people and instead of taking care of their fellow man, they took care of themselves and their immediate families. The corruption is in every facet of your government, your churches in America.

ALL MUST GO! From my vantage point, I see nothing but filth, debauchery, pedophilia, sexual immorality, idolatry, witchcraft, exploitation of children, whoredom on so many levels, crimes against humanity, abortions and selling My babies for profit, vulgarity, violence, hatred of anything good and upright. I, Creator, see nothing worth saving other than some of the lost that My Father has given to Me. I have been angered, have cried, have pleaded, have tried every way possible to show My people to repent and to turn from their wicked ways.

Very few have listened. Most have become accustomed to rejecting walking in My Ways; NO desire to be clothed in righteousness because that would mean one has to turn from their sins. They are like pigs wallowing in their filth.

Until I strip them in America of their pride, arrogance and take everything from them they will never turn back to Me. So many souls will still choose death over life on their dying day, cursing Me as they go to eternal damnation. Sadly, man has made themselves to be their own “gods”, live as I wilt, it is my life, I can do as I want. The attitude of “I answer to noone but myself”; a sure fire way to put oneself into hell. The unredeemables believe this lie from asatan as do those in the lukewarm state.

Too many live in a state of delusion that I will somehow allow unrepentant sin in. My Kingdom will only consist of a pure, spotless Bride; those purified by the fire. Many of My chosen will be purified through trials and afflictions and will die in My Name through martyrdom. The time is very near as persecution is rising and those who are against My people have their plans in places of torment in place. If they hate Me, they will hate you. Remember, I was hated first.

My children, thousands upon thousands have been martyred in My Name in other countries and you are next in America. My children, you must prepare your hearts for this. Not all die in martyrdom but you must ready yourself for that day is coming so very soon where you will be called upon to choose. Will it be Me you choose or will you allow FEAR to enter in and let asatan steal your inheritance from you? Many rewards await those who stand firm until the end and do NOT deny Me before men. Asatan’s weapon has always been FEAR and it has caused so many to fall. Do not let this be you. I will be with you and I will carry you through it all if you do not deny Me. You see, those in darkness hate the light.

To those called by My Name, you must be wise as serpents now. You MUST do warfare and wear your armor each day. Close all doors to the enemy. When you repent daily, stay close to Me in worship and praise, it closes off the enemy—he cannot gain access. I AM has given you the tools you need in My Word. USE THEM!!!Read My Word, meditate on it, pray for all and whatever you do this is NOT the time to decide to wander off and stop doing warfare each day. Anoint yourselves, your family members, your home, your pets. Say the warfare prayer as you anoint along with Psalm 91. Plead the blood of Yahushua over everything.

There is power in the blood. I bore your cross, carried your sin and shame, shed My blood for you so that you could receive everlasting life. Do not take My sacrifice so lightly.

If you continue living in unrepented sin, you will have NO power over the enemy. Don’t underestimate what he can and will do to you. He is banking on you letting your guard down, allowing fear in, staying in sin and living as the world.

I have overcome the world and you can too. Keep in mind the Victory is already yours but you MUST DO your part and be an “overcomer”. I have won this war-the Battle is the King’s! I am on your side. Remain strong, be sober, be vigilant. This is NOT the hour to be lackadaisical.

ARMOR UP CHILDREN! The battle for your soul will be fierce. Know your enemy. Eyes must be open and ears must be attentive to hear now. Listen for Me to speak to you—only I know which way is safe for you to go in. You will be protected as long as you do not walk out of My will for your life. Be Bereans, be the Soldiers you were raised up to be. Be warriors. The enemy fears My Word and those who are strong in warfare prayer; who keep their garments clean each day!

Get your final preparations done. Men, you are to lead your families in the days ahead. Women, you are to stand, encourage and work alongside your spouses. Children, you are to listen to your parents and those older are to rise up and be strong in My Word.

I AM is looking for labourers for there is a harvest to be had. Are you with Me? Yes or no? Death or life? Your choice—I will not force myself on anyone. You must NOW make a concerted effort to get off the lukewarm train to nowhere and return to Me. Otherwise, you will be of no use to Me. How can My light shine through you if you continue to live in darkness? Time to decide is NOW—not after it all crumbles.

This nation is going to its destruction. Time is short. Use it wisely.

I, Yahushua HaMasiach am returning! Repent for the Kingdom Of God is at hand!

(Given To Ms. Sophie on 4/2/2018) Posted at 7:44 pm

During some of the most difficult times of my life, someone showed up once a week. I knew the knock on the door would come. They would walk into the classroom and ask for me. I didn't want them to come, to be singled out, to be made fun off or to be different from the other kids. But I was.

All those years of help from the speech therapists set me free from the outward expression of my different way of speaking. The inward feeling of ridicule and rejection was left untouched for years. 

A few weeks ago, I was serving teachers of our local school. All of the teachers had been through a difficult training that morning and you could see the weight and depth of emotion they have for their students.  As I mingled, expressing my gratitude for what they do for our children, I met a young woman who is a speech therapist. We talked about what she does and how it impacts the lives of the children. I realized that in my 7 plus years of therapy, I never, not once, thought of them in a positive light. I waited for the knock with dread. Thinking that they were the cause of the laughter and rejection. I cannot tell you if it was a woman or a man who came to get me. I don't even know their name. I never saw them. I only saw me.

That afternoon, I looked this woman in the eyes and shared my story. Where I started and where I am today because of  many someones who did what she does. I thanked her for the work she does. For the lifelong impact she is making in a child's life.  I told her not to get discouraged because the children do not understand the difference she is making. We both had tears rolling down our faces. Hers, the encouragement to keep helping. Mine, cleansing from deep in my soul.

I went to bless those who take care of our children every day. I came away with a blessing far greater than I gave.

Thank you. Two words we need to use every day.

I 

At this moment, my house is chaos. The dogs are in full-fledged "Heeler" mode and using the furniture like a Spartan Race. Chaos. Frustrated, I yell at them to be quiet. Yeah, that always works. Lose your patience and raise your voice so peace and quiet visits your house. 

This day I had visions of a mini writing retreat at my house. Like a cottage at the beach. Just you and the sound of the waves. Hours of inspired, uninterrupted writing. Reality exploded my vision like a bomb.

We have 3 dogs and are watching one for a friend. I whined loudly to God about my situation and blamed it all on the extra dog. It is the extra, the one more dog that is causing the chaos. 

Really? Like there wasn't chaos before? I was already stretched to my limit at times with our dogs. So what was it about the "one more"?

How many times have I taken on one more thing and thought I could handle it, only to feel the weight was too much. One more purchase on credit, one more activity volunteered for, one more shift at work, one more drink, one more, one more.

It seems it is the "one more" that breaks us but it is the lifestyle choices we made leading up to the "one more" that set us up to break. What areas of my life has "pressure cracks"? What choices do I need to make to relieve the pressure? 

In Luke 10, Martha complains to Jesus about her sister not helping her. Jesus responds that she is burdened and distracted with many things.  The many things were causing Martha to miss the one thing that was important. She needed to lay down the many things. 

I need to lay down the many to embrace the One.

Looking back at my episode earlier and feeling like a crazy woman, I realized that I was so caught up in the chaos that I was missing the one thing needed......I just needed to put the dogs outside.

I spent 3 weeks in January on the Daniel Fast. I loved it. The spiritual closeness to the Father was precious. I was not looking forward to stopping. I wanted to walk forward but wanted to remain in the "fasting" mindset. What happens to many of us, we lose the focus we intended to keep. So I find myself, 2 weeks out, letting stuff, a lot of stuff, crowd my spirit. Distractions taking up my time and the snooze button is being pushed. This is not how I want to walk with Jesus.

In my prayer time, I have been asking for insight on how to move forward. What I feel the Holy Spirit has shared with me is excitingly simple. Powerful in revelation. He has led me to "half". 

What will my day be like if I get up a half hour early to pray? Spend the first 30 seconds of my day thanking God for all of His blessings? Spend half of my drive time in conversation with Him? Take 30 seconds every afternoon thanking Him for all He has done today? Watch only half of my normal tv lineup and spend the other reading His word? Go to bed a half hour early and spent half of that in communication with God?

The Holy Spirit took it farther and asked "What if I cut my eating out in half?" "Cut my impulse spending in half?" "My phone in half?" What time would be given back to me? What finances would be freed up? 

I believe I am only seeing the surface of all the blessings He has in store to come from "Half". The depth of longing for Jesus that comes through prayer and fasting is sealed in my soul.  I cannot get enough. I am eager to begin this journey of "Half". 

Ps 63: 6-8 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches,
⁷ For You have been my help,
And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
⁸ My soul clings ^[a]to You;
Your right hand upholds me.

Ps 71:8 My mouth is filled with Your praise
And with Your glory all day long.

Ps 86:11-13 Teach me Your way, O Lord;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name.
¹² I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart,
And will glorify Your name forever.
¹³ For Your lovingkindness toward me is great,
And You have delivered my soul from the ^[a]depths of ^[b]Sheol

The past few mornings have made me feel as if I live in a snow globe. Big snowflakes ,gently falling, makes the world seem so peaceful. Just enough snow to cover up all traces of yesterday. Just enough to make snow angels, to push it off the deck with a broom. Just enough so you still think it's beautiful.

A winter storm warning has been issued. Over the course of the next 2 days, more than enough snow is expected. Snow that requires your driveway to be plowed, sidewalks to be shoveled, road crews to work overtime, schools cancelled and the drive to work.

What was beautiful and managable one day will become a burden the next. My beautiful snow globe bubble will burst!

In life, just as Michigan in winter, there is always a storm ahead. 

I have jokingly told my son that he needs to be a meterologist because I want to better understand the weather. The patterns, predictablility and storms. He has not followed my hints and I still don't understand weather. I guess that's why I have an app on my phone to fill me in. 

Much in life is the same way. We flirt a little, spend a bit too much, drink one too many and eat a second helping. Then one day we are caught in the "more than enough". We are surprised by the surprise of it all. We didn't hear or maybe didn't want to hear the warning of the storm ahead.   

We need to listen to the warnings. In life, some storms cannot be avoided, they are outside of our control. Some are absolutely a product of our choices.

I cannot do a thing about how much snow is coming. I can do something about my health, my relationship with my husband and my financial choices before there is a storm warning. By preparing ahead of time, if there is a storm that comes, I will be better prepared to weather it.

I just finished a 21 day Daniel Fast. Susan Gregory's plan ( www.faithdrivenlife.com or www.daniel-fast.com) provides rich guidence and insight. Saturday, being the last day, was one of the most difficult. The knowing that all food is soon to be back on the table. I eagerly talked about what I would add back first and how tea would definately be on the menu for breakfast. Sunday morning came and all eagerness to regain what I had "lost" for the fast was not felt. I felt rather unsure if I was to break the fast. So I didn't. This was my first multi-day fasting experience. I went into it for deeper insights from God on the path I am on. Yes, clarity that needed was given.  Great battles raged for my fleshly desires and for my mind. I stood strong and leaned hard into the Holy Spirit and declare victory in the battle over food. My mind however didn't fare as well. I was sick for several days and did what most do, just vegged out and binged watch tv shows. BAD IDEA! I let my helmet slip and gave access to the enemy. The distraction, the darkness and the immorality felt like it had flooded my brain. I gave him an inch and he took a mile. For days after, I felt like I was in a fog. Doubting what God has asked me to do. Dragging my feet to get it done. Distracted by the draw to watch the tv show. Desperatly clinging to the fast as a lifeline to a drowning person.

Today, helmet in place and armor on, I move forward. Fasting has been one of the most incredible spiritual experiences I have ever had. The battle I lost has, becausing of fasting, gave me a new understanding of how the enemy fights in my life and how to "batten down the hatches" so he does not gain entry again. Nothing we watch, listen to or take part in, apart from God, is harmless. We must take every thought captive and focus on what is true. The enemy goes around roaring like a lion but he is not a lion. Jesus is the Lion of Judah. The characters on these shows are not real, the situations are not real and the people playing them are trained in the art of believability. The enemy wants us emotionally connected to these characters to distract us from the life we are called to live. I will be choosing not to participate any longer.

Time is short. Jesus is returning. We must seek Him with all our heart, with all our mind and strength. Only then will we be able to stand against the evil one. 

Wake.Pray.Fast. and Slay!

Looking at this big blank page, thinking "what can I say that matters?". It seems like such a daunting task. It begs to be filled with words, pictures, anything really that replaces the vast emptiness. Why do empty spaces intimidate us?  Can we be comfortable in the silence? The lapse of a conversation. Can we rest in the lapse or are we quick to say something just to fill the space.

 We are told to "be still and know that I am God". Be still. Still as in not moving or still as in silent? Either is challenging. I get up an hour before my husband to have time alone with God without any interuptions. My schedule this morning turned into "last minute rush". I quickly moved through my list with God ,finished with a hurried amen and moved on to what need to be done.  All day I have felt hurried and distracted. No praise music playing in my head. No communication with God as I have gone about my day. 

Facing this big empty space, I took a moment and asked for God's wisdom. That's when it hit me.  I had come before His throne with my agenda, not once seeking His for my day. Disconnected from the source of Living Water. Disconnected from the One who gives me breath. Forgive me Father. 

This space is never to be filled by me. Father, I surrender this to You. May You write the words that need to be said. heal the hearts that need Your touch, quiet the turmoil within us. Teach us how to be still. To be comfortable in the stillness before You. You are the author of my life and it is Your words that fill the pages. 

Four years ago, my mom passed away. It sounds like a long time  yet there are moments when it feels like yesterday. Grief is funny like that. It comes at you like a thick, dark cloud stealing your breath, your stength and your ability to think. Grief is not a "get it over and done" thing. Grief, I think, is a process much like amputation. You are looking for healing to be able to move ahead but you now have to learn how to live without what was there. Memories pop up that bring tears to our eyes and a smile on our face. We remember, we miss and we yearn for that elusive "one more moment".

My mom fought hard against Lewy Body Dementia. Towards the end, she had lost the abilty to eat or drink. As we gathered to her bedside to share are last few precious days with her, she was incoherant. As I was sitting with her, holding her hand, just sharing what was on my heart, she opened her eyes and looked right at me and as clear as a bell she said "I just want to go home." She closed her eyes and slipped back into her coma like state. I gently replied to her that she is free to go home and Jesus is waiting for her.

We hold on to so much of this world, buying, saving, planning, working, yet none of it matters in the end. My mom wasn't asking about her bank account, she was asking to go home to Jesus. The bible teaches us that where our heart is, there is our treasure. In reflecting on my mom's life today, I am pondering what is my treasure? What am I focused on more than Jesus? How am I spending the time He has given me? Life is precious. Let all I do be for the One who gave His all for me. When He does call me home, may I hear "Well done my daughter."