Storms pass.. Life goes on. God never changes...

Picking up the pieces after the storm has blown through is exhausting. I had an unexpected storm roll over my life and I wasnt prepared for the damage it caused. I feel like I spiritually collapsed under the pressure. I read something that helped me today, God is the same yesterday, today and forever.

My promise is settled, in the midst of my disaster.

I read this:
by Pastor Dansby (Dallas Texas)
I read an account about a storm that came as a surprise.
"The storm came roaring in from the Atlantic, and it left the city of New York paralyzed. Ordinarily such a snow fall causes little inconvenience in that city.Snowplows are assembled and crews are at work even as the first flakes begin to fall. The weather forecasters do a good job, and because they do, the city is kept moving, and New Yorkers can continue on their way.But on that cold day a few years back, the weatherman missed it. His mistake was understandable. Weather systems in this country usually move west to east. This storm slipped in from the East, taking New York City by surprise. This sort of thing happens not only to cities but also to people."In the Bible, Jesus knew that there would be times when storms would come and cause an upheaval for these disciples that He was praying for. Jesus is praying for them and their mission to be faithful when those times would come. Jesus is praying for protection from the evil one as well as their sanctification.One thing I know for sure is that God's word is Forever settled in Heaven and in Earth; I also know that when storms arise in our life unexpectedly that God does not change His mind on how the outcome will be for me. The word says that He is the same yesterday, today and forever.I always remember a little saying from a kid show that goes like this: "Yesterday is history, today is the present, and tomorrow is a mystery."Jesus knows that there are storms in our path, that are unexpected in our tomorrows, and that if we hold on to Him it will be all right.For the Cause of the Gospel,Pastor Greg Dansby

I needed to read this today. I realized that no matter what happens God never changes. I just have have to pick up the pieces and follow Him. He didnt leave me. He is right here. My journey might have come to a halt but I am still going onward. Thats all that matters.

Yesterday is gone. Today I am here. Tomorrow God knows where I will be. I feel like the old song says, I feel like going on, though trials may come and storms may blow, I feel like going on........

The Proof is in your Praise!!!!

I was listening to a song this morning by Marvin Sapp called "Praise Him in advance" What a powerful song...I refuse to allow what I see to to hinder what I believe.. That was the most powerful statement to me. I think sometimes we bank on how we feel or what we see or hear in the flesh, when God is saying, "Your praise will cause the enemy to be confused!" God is saying I know it seems as though its not and I know things aren't exactly where I told you they were going to be, but will you trust me?" Praise Him through the storm. Its one of the hardest things to do. The wind is blowing, the sky is howling, the rain is pouring down, everything is getting wet, maybe there is even some hail = HELL! on earth, you feel like your in the middle of a tornado, spinning out of control and it hurts and this is not what you signed up for right?? You feel like , its not worth it, Im done trying, Ive had enough, I cant take anymore... God is just asking way to much of me. Im dying here and God, wont you say peace be still to my storm?
Come on already... All the while God is watching you stand and not turn around and silently cheering you on and hoping you will have the heart to say, though He may slay me, YET WILL I TRUST HIM... He is waiting to see if you can muster up the courage to do the opposite of how you feel. This week I have heard a lot about trusting God. I have the hardest time doing that when Im holding on so tight to the promises of God Im strangling them in the process. I have to leave those promises in His Hands to hold on to for me until they are ready. While I wait I have to trust. Yesterday we had such a great church service and I felt so strongly the cloud of doubt the enemy has put over so many people. I felt my pastor preach to that spirit of defeat and say, "get up and fight.." I thought about times I have felt so defenseless and unable to combat the enemy. Then I remembered how when at those weakest points someone was praying for me and I had to finally just stand up and raise up my hands and start to praise Him. Praise Him through the good and the bad. Weather Im happy or sad. Praise Him because if I didnt know anything else I had faith that God has never forsaken me or left me when I needed Him most. He has NEVER failed me.. and just when I thought I may die in my dilemma, my praise released me from the pain and stress of it all and God was able to take over because I finally let go and let God. Now looking back I can clearly see God wasnt trying to hurt me, He was disturbing me into my destiny. Sometimes what we think is the enemy is not at all. It is God ruffling our feathers so to speak and pushing us out of the nest of comfort to push us towards our promise. I dont know if this all makes sense, but God has given me a revelation about the POWER IN PRAISE. Im the first to admit its not easy, but IT WORKs... I also realized sometimes what I think is the enemy is actually God interrupting my program to tune me into His. I am convinced to stop going by what I feel and what I see and persuade my mind to trust God for what I need, because He is a sure thing. It takes Faith to trust God. Faith comes by hearing. Saturate your mind with the word. It is your most powerful weapon. Then pick up the BIG guns and start to praise. Praise will get you through every circumstance of life. The proof is in your your PRAISE!!!!

JUST BECAUSE

Life is going by so fast it seems. I appreciate my drive from Salinas to Hollister more and more as it allows me the time to pray and just talk to Jesus. Yesterday was such good church. Pastor Hurst preached such an awesome message about how this world needs Jesus and the church was a hospital for broken hearts. It is so true so many times I have thought about how hurt and brokenness and hate and all the matters of the heart can only be healed by God. There is not a counselor or medicine or doctor or person who can heal and bind up the wounds of a broken heart. Like that old song says, no one can touch me like Jesus can. No one can give you peace when you cannot understand, no one can bind your wounds like nail scarred hands, no one can touch me like Jesus can. There are wounds my heart has endured that almost killed me. BUT JESUS... He healed my heart and healed my wounds and no one or nothing could of ever repaired the damage that had been done. Jesus can do what no other can do for us. I could relate to what Pastor was saying from my own experience. I wondered how many people suffer from spiritual conditions of the heart. If they only knew Jesus. He takes the pain and fills it back up with His love and healing balm. Oh I am so thankful for His healing power. I had a talk yesterday with a precious elder in our church Grandma Hurst and she told me some things yesterday I will never forget. I have not had the opportunity to know her for very long a little over a year now, but I have such a love and respect for her and her husband. She is the funniest person I have ever met in my life. She is also full of pearls of wisdom. I love older people. If you actually take the time to sit and listen to what they have to say you can learn a lot. She gave me a great compliment yesterday and I will always cherish it. After she said it, she said," you know what so many times we think to say things to people that is on our hearts and we dont say it and you know what? Thats not right." I graciously thanked her. If she only knew how much it meant coming from her. We are blessed to have bishop and grandma Hurst with us and I pray we tell them as often as we can how appreciated and valued they are. Grandma Hurst hasnt been feeling well and I made sure yesterday I took the time to tell her what was on my heart. She blessed me by listening and gave me some of her pearls of wisdom that I will cherish forever and keep in my heart. I told God I would blog about this today. I felt impressed to say to all of you. Dont wait until you cant say whats on your heart. Tell someone what they mean to you while you have the chance. Great people like grandma Hurst wont be here forever so cherish her and your loved ones while you can. If you think something kind about someone say it. They might need to hear it. Encourage someone with a word of wisdom and do something kind for someone just because. God is in these random acts of kindness. Give Him the glory. I have found this to be a tremendous blessing in my life to lift up others and give God the glory. There is no good thing in me. Jesus has blessed me with the ability we all have within us to just say or do something nice just because we can. We dont have to have a reason to tell our brother or sister something good. To do something kind for someone just because. No ulterior motive or expectation of anything in return. JUST BECAUSE.... God does this to us everyday. Gives to us and loves us JUST BECAUSE... Go find someone to encourage JUST BECAUSE.. Call someone and tell them you love them JUST BECAUSE... Say it JUST BECAUSE... Do it JUST BECAUSE... God needs us to be His voice and His hands and feet sometimes..JUST BECAUSE...

Thankful Heart

Thank You
DEAR GOD: I want to thank You for what you have already done. I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me; I am thanking you right now... I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears ; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet; I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job; I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed; I am thanking you right now. I am thanking you because I am alive. I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties. I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles. I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.. I'm thanking you because JESUS, YOU haven't given up on me. I am thanking you right now because you made a way out of no way. And I am thankful for your grace and mercy. God is just so good, and he's good all the time.

Someone sent this to me today and it is exactly how I felt when I got up today. On the way to work I just told the Lord I just wanted to thank Him today. I didnt want to ask for anything just thank Him for All He has done in my life. The good, the bad, the indifferent. I just am so thankful that I know Him. He deserves all the glory for anything good in my life. I thought about how I am 40 and it took so long to feel true happiness. I have had a lot of happy moments, but not seasons of true contentment and happiness and today I felt that deep in my heart and I am sooooo thankful because I know it is a blessing from the Lord. We dont have much in the physical sense but I feel so rich and blessed in my life. We have everything we need. Life is good and I am happy about that. I appreciate it. God is good all the time. I love Him today and I honor Him today for allowing me to have this season. I cherish your blessings Lord..

BE BOLD AND BELIEVE!!

Yesterday was a really different kind of day. Quiet at work. Then as I drove home I was telling the Lord I was worried if we would be able to meet all of our commitments and pay all of our bills. I said "man Lord I just dont know how its gona happen. I said to Him, "I have to pay my tithes and my building fund and other commitments thats the most important." The Lord spoke to me and said, "You pay those things and dont worry about the money it will produce itself." Of course I kinda shook my head and said, "Lord money dosent produce itself I have to work or get another job." The Lord spoke back to me and said, It isnt logical is it? Money to produce itself? I said, "well no" He said, "Well Im not logical. All things that impossible with man are possible with me. I am the furthest thing from logical so remember that daughter." I was just like "WHOA, ok Lord. The worry left. I know this sounds crazy but it is true. I have to trust God. God is not going to allow us to be faithful and to give, without blessing us in return, even if its His way of paying the bills, they will get paid. I believe Him. Then when I went home I was vacuuming and the Lord said to me, "Vacuuming is like praying." I thought it is?? Then He said, yes the more you vacuum the less debris you will have around. The more you pray the less debris you will have around your life. It made a lot of sense to me. I started to laugh out loud and I said out loud Lord you have a great analogy's. My daughter came out of her room and said, "Mommy, who are you talking to?" I said the Lord honey. She said Oh, ok and went back to the room. I laughed and smiled God would talk to me like He was sitting on my couch so to speak. I ran to get my journal I havent written in for some time and wrote everything down He said. So many times I think Im crazy when I hear God talking to me. Im not crazy. These things He tells me are so awesome and just what I need. I felt so honored He was speaking to me so much yesterday. I felt like it was important to start writing it down. So I will and I felt to share it with everyone. Sometimes I know people doubt God talks to us this way. I was one of them. I would tell myself I have to be crazy, God dosent talk to people this much. I have found out when I speak to him Im always waiting for an answer back. I listen to see if He responds. Most of the time I have found He does. I am tired of holding back because I wonder what others might think. Thank God I can hear His voice. That is a miracle in itself. I just couldnt express how I appreciate the Lord today. Its so much, there arent words in english to describe it. One of my really close friends came to church last night. Four months ago he was in a critical car accident and was paralyzed and told he would be in a halo for 4 months. Broken collar bone and all sorts of stuff. His dad called me and everyone prayed. He was in that halo for 1 month and is a walking miracle. God is so alive and seeking to do great and powerful things through us. I am excited and waiting for Him to perform a miracle through me. The devil hates it when I speak out in FAITH like this, we all need to start speaking out some things by faith and watch what the Lord will do! God is just waiting on us to get some Holy Ghost Boldness! BE BOLD!! BELIEVE GOD FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE!
After I wrote this I checked my facebook and Bro Kilgore was on there saying God gave him a message relating to vacuuming. He is actually going to vacuum on sunday morning during his message. That was my confirmation from God about what he told me yesterday. Is that just so unbelievable or what??? He is going to send me a copy. I am sooooooooo excited! God is talking to us. Are you listening? I am!!!

Analycia

Oh Lord Keep her in your hands and never let her go.. Keep your anointing on her and let her do great things 4 u in Jesus Name I pray.. I give her, heart, soul and mind to your care Lord. Use her mightly for your glory and honor. Thank you Lord for giving her to me. She is a constant source of my Joy. Her life has kept mine right where it belongs with you.

THOUGHT

"ABILITY IS WHAT YOU ARE CAPABLE OF DOING. MOTIVATION DETERMINES WHAT YOU DO.
ATTITUDE DETERMINES HOW WELL YOU DO IT."
-LOU HOLTZ

PROPHECY

I am still in the wonder of it all so to speak. It all started Sunday about 2:45 am. I woke up and I was wide awake, so I started to pray and I prayed for about 45 minutes and then I just layed there and God said to me, "Are you done?" I said well yes unless you have something you want me to pray about? He said I just wanted to talk to you and I was waiting for you to be done. I was like ok Lord Im sorry you should of stopped me. My last prayer before God spoke to me was more of a talk rather than a request. I told God I dont see it happening Lord. I was referring to a dream I have in my heart. I told God these exact words, Lord Im ok with being a good saint and sitting in the pews and just serving you. I know I long for these certain things and you have dealt with me in dreams and prayer and I thought it would happen one day, but maybe Im wrong and thats ok, I still love you more than anything. I said a lot of stuff to God. Then when He asked me if I was done I was like whoops, I guess I talked to long. Then God said to me, The things which are impossible with men are possible with Me. He told me He is the one whom all things are possible. He dealt with me again about being at the church more to intercede. I said to Him, Lord other people are interceding and praying and He spoke back to me and said, Noel no one can pray your prayers, There are things and people only you can touch me for. No one can intercede for those things that are meant for you. So I knew I needed to make an adjustment in my schedule to be at the church more available to God to do His will through me. I have been lazy and comfortable and not going as much as I said I would. I knew He was waking me up to tell me it was important. Then I opened the Bible in the morning and I was drinking coffee with my husband and I told him what God told me. I told him I was up until 4:00 am talking to the Lord. He didnt say to much. I read that scripture God gave me, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Luke 18:27. Then we went to church and pastor starts to preach. I felt like he was preaching to me 100% me. Although he was preaching to a lot of folks. I just cried and wept because he was preaching, I pray God wakes you up and talks to you and God is calling some of you to be so much more than someone who warms the pew. He preached everything God had been telling me the night before. When God does this to me it is mind blowing for me. There is just no way to get away from it. I went to alter and I just surrendered my will to His will. I told God I am willing. I wont look back or doubt His perfect will in my life. I told God I wanted my pastor to speak to me because I knew he was in a prophetic state. I stayed still and waited on God. Pastor prophesied over my husband and I and it was exactly what the desire in my heart was. I told God it was ok if it didnt happen. God said it would. It was like one of the greatest moments of clarity and such a sure thing. So many years I have heard people say things to me and I know without a doubt God has dealt with me about these things. I have deeply desired these things to come to fruition, but I have always lacked the direction and understanding of these gifts. I still dont have the full understanding. But at least now I know my pastor can and will direct us and teach us. God confirmed to me so many things yesterday. I am still in awe of how awesome God was and is today. I am truly blessed. I dont say that in a boastful way but with all humility I have been assured God has blessed me. I have to give honor to my mother from her prayers these blessings were born. Thank you mom for never giving up on me and praying endlessly over me. Your anointed prayers have brought the blessings of God on my life. I cherish and covet your prayers. I love you mom. You have made me who I am today. A blessed woman..

Blessings and Burdens

Im still an hour behind. Ill catch up with myself soon. We had great church yesterday. Thank God we can go to the House of God and be restored and renewed and healed and receive all that we need and more. It has been quite a week. All I can say is life sure has a way of showing up. It was good to have a girls night with two of my very good friends. Good food, good company and lots of laughter.. Memories.... Yesterday in church my heart was so broken and feeling such a sense of loss and burdened. I just tried to compose myself as usual. Then the choir sang my song. Jesus, the most beautiful name I know... I couldnt help myself I just stood up and in my sorrow and grief I just raised my hands towards heaven and said God I thank you in all things. I praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands and then people started to pray all around and God touched my pain with the peace that passeth all understanding. Sis Hurst wrapped her arms around me and it was like Jesus holding me with her arms and saying this to shall pass. I could then grasp what I keep hearing, God is in control. Then Bro. Nathaniel got up and sang that old simple song, I need thee, Oh I need thee, every hour I need, that song ministered to my soul. The timing was so perfect. I thank God he was sensitive to the spirit of God.
Saturday I was so tired from staying up waaaayyyyyy past my bedtime. I met Sis Gloria at the old folks home. When we got there the lady in charge said, "Oh they all came today" They have been waiting for you guys" "They kept asking when are they coming to pray for us?" Last week we had 17 residents. This week we had 23 out of the 24 they have. She said they all wanted to participate this time. As we prayed for each one, one lady looked at us and asked for forgiveness, I just held her head and prayed Gods forgiveness as tears poured down her face. She was so broken. God really touched her. Then the owner came out and said Im next, me too. She said last week she told her husband how all the people loved us and kept asking when we were coming back and she wanted us to pray for her and her husband too. Every worker in the facility waited their turn for prayer. I thought when I got there I wouldnt have anything to give, but God touched me as I prayed for others it strengthened me. This ministry has been a blessing in my life and I thank God for allowing me to be a vessel at this retirement home. The owner sat with us and kept thanking us and telling us how much she appreciated us coming. I thank God for that. Every worker we prayed for God touched them. Tears were streaming down each ones face as we prayed over them. Sis Gloria prayed in spanish over one lady who was so overcome by the touch of Jesus. She just held on to our hands and kept thanking us and crying. It was beautiful. I thank God for Sis Gloria. Her spanish is being used as a tremendous blessing. I look forward to going each week. Thank you for all your prayers. They are felt. Thank you Lord for being with us.

Whispering Pines still has a heartbeat..

Saturday was our first visit to the old folks home. It was called Whispering Pines. It is a senior retirement home. They have 24 residents and the oldest just turned 100 a couple of weeks ago. I'm never sure what quite to expect when I go to a new place, but Jesus met us there.
Myself, Sis Gloria, Bro. Stephen, Sis Brenda (one of our youth) and my daughter Analycia went. We started with prayer and sang some songs. We had about 16 or 17 of the residents in the room with us. We had a song request for just a closer walk with thee. Thank God I remember all the old songs. My daughter insisted we sing Ive got a mansion just over the hilltop. She learned it when we did this ministry in Salinas. So we sang and then I talked for about 7 minutes about God's love and my burden for them. Sis Gloria read the Bible which they loved. Then I asked the owner if we could just go around the room and pray for each one and she said yes. One lady Natalie said "Please pray that these people tell me the truth about my husband I don't know where he is." It was so sad, but we prayed. I asked one man named Vern, what would you like us to pray for Vern? He said "Oh honey its to late for me." I laughed and we all did and I told him "Oh Vern its never to late. God is still on the throne." He said "well ok then go on ahead and pray for me." We went to each one and asked them what they wanted prayer for. Most of them had a prayer request. Some of their eyes filled up with tears and they were so grateful. I held each ones hand as we prayed and this compassion welled up inside of me as I prayed tears began to stream down my face I couldn't help it. At that moment I felt so honored God would allow me to pray for these precious souls. That is what they are. Precious to the Lord. When some of them looked at me while we were praying you could see the thankfulness and tender hearts looking back. I was overwhelmed with Gods love for these sometimes forgotten elderly folks. Then as we made our way around the room we began to pray for one of the nurses who has been working there for 9 years. She began to weep as we prayed over her. God gave me a word for her and she wept harder and just kept staring at me like how did you know? The elderly man next to her began to cry with her that made me cry harder. Oh there were so many tears. Good tears that wash the soul. Then we were allowed to go into the rooms where some of the residents cant get up easily and we prayed for each one of them. We could of spent most of our day there. The people and staff loved us and didn't want us to go. The owner came up and hugged me and thanked me for coming. She said what a wonderful thing our church is doing as a volunteer work. I give God all the glory. He put this in my heart. God placed a burden for the old and the young in my heart a long time ago. There is no good thing in me. We are just Gods vessels. He loves these old people and I feel it is the will of God to go and reach out to them and pray for them and visit them. It blessed us so much to be able to be used by God for this purpose. We were invited back for lunch next Saturday and to stay longer. They invited us to cook once a month. I love to cook and so does Bro. Stephen so this will be awesome. I had to share what a blessing it was to give of my time to the Lord. He blessed my soul through these elderly folks. Thank you to all who went. On my way home I thanked my 8 year old daughter for going. If you could of seen her as she sang her little heart out and she layed hands on the old people and prayed over them and loved being with us and working in this ministry it was so beautiful to me. I told her, "honey I'm so proud of you. I'm so glad your my daughter. Jesus is so proud of you. You are so special to Jesus." I was crying and she said, "well the old people need Jesus too Mommy, they are the forgotten generation remember??!" As I wiped my tears I said, "yes they are honey. Yes they are." Thank you Lord for this opportunity to serve you and do your work in our community. Thank you pastor for allowing us to be blessed!!

A cost for the call..

We have been in revival with Bro. Greg Henry. What a tremendous young man. Monday he taught on standing behind the ministry. This is something that has always been in my heart. Every since I was a little girl I have had a special love and burden for the ministry.
I have seen over the years the dynamics of being in the ministry and it is a high road that our ministry pays a price for. I have heard people say I want to preach and be anointed yet lack a prayer life. Even as a saint it takes commitment, faithfulness, consecration and dedication. As a minister these requirements are much deeper and higher than our own. The Bible says to much given much is required. It is so true. There is a cost. There is a price to pay. I think people see the end result of a preacher or pastor or evangelist and desire to step into those shoes without walking a mile in that mans steps. I was listening to Bro. Arnold the other day and he said as only he can, "You want my anointing? You want what I got? well then fight my devils, pay my price bubba!" Its true. We have no idea what price some of these great men and women have paid to be where they are. Bro. Arnold can just lay it out. I love that about him. I love his preaching and I also understand Bro. Arnold has been through hell and high water to have the powerful anointing he has. That has cost him something. Sometimes I get frustrated with these young men who want to ride in on the coat tails of great sermons preached by some great preachers without paying the price. They talk the talk and walk the walk but there is no depth or substance to who they are. It is not backed up with a strong prayer life or knowledge of the word. If you want to be used of God there is a cost. Ill bet these great leaders could tell you what travail is. They can write a book about being tried by the fire. They can give a bible study on intercessory prayer. They can walk you through the valley experience. They can describe to you the enemy. These great anointed people all are well acquainted with the power of prayer. The word is written in their heart. Their Bible has wear and tear. It doesn't come easy. We think the devil is chasing us, it is nothing compared to how he can chase our ministers. Pastor mentioned how a couple of ministers had fallen away from this great truth and my heart just broke. I kept thinking about that message Trophies of Hell. Those ministers could be trophies on hell's wall. What a loss. We must pray for our pastors and their wives and their children. The devil is like the master hunter. If he can get our minister he would rather have them than us. He will take us but he is really hunting the big bucks. I pray for our evangelists that come through. They have a hard road. They need our prayers. Our missionaries, they need our prayers. Our leaders over us. Never take it for granted what God has blessed us with. He has given us one of the greatest preachers in the world. Don't you think the devil would like to sift him as wheat? Our pastor is fighting for our city. He fights the prince of darkness over Hollister. He is only a man. He has great anointing but how much stronger could it be if we together lifted him up in prayer every day. If we kept a hedge prayed about him of safety. If we prayed more for his wife that pays the ultimate sacrifice of being his help mate. She is the backbone of who he is. I know we pray for our pastor and his wife but what about a little more? More than usual. More than what we do. It will strengthen them. It will build them up. It will increase their vision. It will keep the enemy far at bay from getting anywhere close to the shepard of our souls. Even the shepard needs rest. Can he close his eyes and feel secure in knowing my flock is praying I am safe. Oh God give us all a burden for our ministry. In every church. Pray for every pastor, every teacher, every evangelists, every prophet, every apostle and all of their wives who carry these great men. Our women ministers as well and their husbands. What we put in with our prayers for them we will reap the benefits of their anointing. There is a cost for the call, are you willing to pay it?????

The process of being planted..

Planted.....Thats what Bro. Henry preached about. He talked about being planted and the whole process spiritually. It was simple but profound. I often think about that how it takes time to grow and sprout out and how painful the growing process is. It goes along with a theme I have been hearing, like Bro. Royce preached at BOTT about being imprisoned in a land of fulfillment. God gave me this message awhile back I mentioned it about a time that kills. Now I am starting to see what God is saying. This time of being planted and waiting on God may be one of the hardest things we have to do in our walk with God. God gives us the promise of the end result and we have to hold on to that promise during the process. Even when we are faced with let down expectations or things dont seem to be going the way we think they should or people pierce into our flesh and hurt surrounds us, all the while God is stirring the soil to produce fruit in our lives. The analogy that has been used is so awesome and right on it. The message I am hearing is endure the process. Persevere through the pain. "and let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not." Galations 6:9
It is a time that kills the flesh but elevates the spirit. This time of growth and being planted is uncomfortable but necessary to produce spiritually. God gave me this whole message about a month or so ago and now I am hearing different versions of it.
This is surely God speaking to me directly and through others. Help me Lord to grow gracefully. Help me to endure the "whole" process of being planted to obtain the promise..

Healing of the Heart

Ready for the weekend.. Looking forward to Refuge and revival with Bro. Henry. Wednesday night was such a good service. I cant explain in words what God did in my heart. I just know He began to heal a very painful part of my past. I had to admit there was a part of my heart I had reserved to hold a small portion of some poison I thought could protect me. The poison really needed to be poured out of my vessel so God could wash the wounds and bind them up and heal them completely. For all these years I have held onto this spirit of vindication towards someone who is dead. I felt good in my flesh knowing they were going to hell. I know thats horrible but its true. I have wanted to forgive but I just couldnt and I didnt realize it was something that would eventually turn to bitterness if I didnt pour it out. I was so afraid to let it go when I went to the alter with my husband I felt so venerable and I felt this deep surge of hurt hit my heart and I was so scared but I just said the words to God I forgive Lord I forgive the sin against me and instantly this peace and comfort just surrounded my soul and held me. All this time I held on to this hurt and pain that didnt belong to me. It was clogging my vessels. God wanted me to pour it out. He wanted to fill it with healing waters. It took God minutes to restore a piece of my heart that has been broken and hidden away for 29 years. You will just never know nor could I ever explain Gods mercy and grace and love I experienced wednesday. I felt something wash over me and I felt this huge relief and burden lift off of me that I have drug around for all these years. I am thankful my pastor has the courage to preach things other people wouldnt touch. The sensitive subjects. Because God moved things around Wednesday and my pastor had the mind of God and stepped into a sensitive place in my life, God was able to step in an bring me healing I have needed for way to long. When he was preaching I was literally so uncomfortable I was sitting in my seat and saying in my mind run!! I have ran from this too long and I am so thankful to God for healing my heart.

The Call to Prayer

A call to prayer is what pastor preached last night and I couldnt agree with him more. Tuesday night I went to the church to pray. I am right down the street now so I can go and pray and it is a true blessing to my heart. Tuesday God had put on my heart a call to prayer. With God willing and my family asleep I can go spend time with my Jesus. You dont know how much this means to me. This was the best part of moving to Hollister for me. I can pray at the church. I know we can pray in our homes and I do, but to me there is something so special to be at the church in the presence of God and have Him all to myself. It feels so good and nothing can compare to it. These times with Jesus always provide me with intimate moments that create a closeness I long for. Tuesday night God really had me pray over my own family for our focus. I rebuked every distraction in our life that would sidetrack us and keep us from being closer to God and I felt this burden to plead the blood over our focus. I really felt the Lord so strong as I pleaded the blood over our focus. I thank God for His direction in prayer. When pastor preached last night I could relate to everything he was saying. So many times we go to prayer when we need something from God and all the while God keeps impressing me He longs to just spend time with us and He wants us to know Him and for our prayer life to be a love affair between us and the Lord. He loves us so much and He wants and desires to spend time with us. God wants to be close to us. Imagine being close to the King of Kings. What an honor, what a priveldge. I am telling you if you want to experience the supernatural and know Jesus for who He really is then PRAY.. Get a prayer life. It will bring blessings and joy you could never imagine possible. It is a beautiful thing to spend time with the Savior. I cant wait to spend time with Jesus tonight...

Our friends came with us to church again. They absolutely love it. They love pastor. When I looked over at my friend last night we both started to cry because I remember where God brought us from and I was so thankful we were both in church. I am so amazed at how they dont know anything about pentecost yet they just embrace it. They were clapping and raising their hands and they LOVED the preaching. We have not started a bible study yet. We have just not stoped talking about the Lord. Silvia told me Sam went to a couple of churches like ours with her and after one visit he would never go back. I told Sylvia well maybe he can feel this is the real thing. Sam spoke up and this what he said " You know what Noel I can feel that preachers spirit and its genuine!" He said "He's not just up there saying stuff that doesnt mean anything He is actually saying stuff that matters and that will help you!" I was amazed.. AND get this, he said he missed giving his offering last night and he went and got a tithing envelope and chased somebody down and made sure he gave his offering to God. We never told them or talked to them about giving. I was just so touched by this. It has been wonderful to have friends that are so hungry for God. Sylvia now wants to buy preaching tapes for her mom. It is just an awesome experience we are having. It is a blessing to my family. Please remember them in your prayers the enemy is not giving them up without a fight and they need our prayers.

Well I plan on having an organic garden! I cant wait. Sis Christina is going to help me and Sis Natalie and I are going to learn how and what to do. I am sooooooo excited about this. Prayer life, a garden, friends being saved, does it get any better??? Sure it DOES!!!! :) GOD IS JUST SO PERFECT! IN EVERY WAY!

I know the Lord will make a way for you..

We are moved!! Yeeeaahh! Yesterday I felt like a truck ran me over, but I made myself get up and go church. Im so glad I did! What a service!! There is just never a dull moment when Bro. Hurst is your pastor. Yesterday he chased out a couple of devils. God spoke to me during the service and told me there there was an angel of deliverance in our church. God told me he was standing and waiting for pastor to command the spirits out and the angel would cast them out. I couldnt see it but I knew the angel of deliverance was in the house. It was awesome. My friend Sam came to church again. He loved it. His wife was so happy last night when she called she started to cry and said, Noel I cant believe he went without me. She said it is a miracle. Im so proud of him. She said he loved church. She cant wait to go again. She works every sunday. They helped us move friday our whole place and helped us move. God really blessed us with great helpers. God is going to save this couple. I can feel it. Im soooo happy about it!! My heart is so full of joy. I am overwhelmed with thankfulness in my heart. When I woke up on Sunday morning in Hollister I felt so good in my spirit. Like this is where we are supposed to be. I was physically sore but spiritually charged.. Church was so good. Such a powerful spirit of God. Sometimes I search for words to adequately describe what we experience and I know I fall short, because its all that and so much more. I had such a burden to pray for one of our keyboard players when everyone was gone and he was still there weeping before the Lord, my husband and I went to pray for him and God spoke to him and when God was speaking I felt this love and anointing wrapped up in a spiritual gift God was handing to this young man. God said nothing shall mar it and no one shall take away from it and this gift was perfect because it was from the Lord. It was a special gift God had placed on him and nothing or no one could take away from it or disturb it in any way. The gentleness I felt from God towards this young man was so surreal. There was such a sweet and tenderness God yielded to him. I just feel so honored God allowed me to pray for him. It showed me how God has such a unique love for each one of us. It is so special and nothing can compare to it. I was dreading the commute from Hollister to salinas, but it wasnt bad at all. We were actually early. I had time to pray. It was really nice. We are just thrilled to be in Hollister finally. I love the Lord. that song is in my heart today. I know the Lord will make a way for me. If I live a holy life, shun the wrong and do the right, I know the Lord will make a way for me.... And He has..

Prayer and more prayer...

My friends I have known for a long time came to church with me last night and they really liked it. They liked pastor a lot. Who wouldnt right? I have known them for several years and I have always had a burden for them.
They are about to relocate and get a fresh start on life. Exactly what pastor was talking about. My friend Sylvia kept saying how did he know??
They want to come back. You have to understand it was like pulling teeth to get Sam to church. He kept saying I dont like those kind of churches where they jump around Noel. Sylvia kept saying I love it I want to go. Finally yesterday he went to an interview and this is a job he really wants and he said you know what Im going to go and thank God for my new job. He hasnt heard back from yet. Thats FAITH!! He is as catholic as they get. I told him that was great. He was so touched by pastor saying take the blessing. He walked out of church last night and talked all the way home about all the things pastor said that gave him faith for his life. This is a couple I also met while I was backslid. IN YOUR FACE DEVIL!!!! I dont know if you can understand how much it means to me that I didnt meet these people in vain. God had a plan even when I tried to walk out on it. Even in my sin God was reaching for people like Michael, Sam and Sylvia. She was so touched we gave them a Bible. They wanted one for their mom and for themselves. They were so grateful. Sam tried so hard not to like our church, but he couldnt. He told me, Noel I liked that guy. Church was cool. This guy comes from a very harsh background and all he knows is ways of the streets. I only know some of his testimony and its crazy. I saw a need in their life a desperation if you will. Sylvia has confided in me how tired she is living her life the way they have for so long. They said now that they ran into me again and they have seen the change in me thats what they want for themselves. They said Noel look at you. You have a good life now. You are in church and look you are like a different person. We want a better life. we want out of the street life and party life we live. These people are going to make great soul winners. Please pray for Sam and Sylvia that God would manifest himself in a powerful way in their life and save their souls. They are awesome people that are hungry for God. I could tell you stories about them that would make you laugh and cry. Pastor I feel a fast coming on. My daughter during our morning prayers together on the way to school said help mommy to go on a fast. I didnt say anything because I knew it was God calling me to a fast. I just repeated after her. She is so funny, she prays the whole armor of God on us every day and for our jobs and her school. Every morning she says bless Pastor Hurst and Sis Hurst and Bishop Hurst and Bishop Sis Hurst (she always calls grandma Hurst "Bishop Sis Hurst".. lol) and Bro Nathaniel. In that order every day. Its so sweet that she never forgets Bro Nathaniel. Then its our family and our church family and dont try and skip that one friend. Shes the first to remind you. When its my turn I always say bless all the ministry and I might call out Pastor and Sis Hurst, but it touches me she calls each one out by name. Then of course at the end and Bless all the animals in the whole world. She is something so special to me, words could never describe. The love I have for this child is just beyond any love I could describe. She is always quick to tell me "Mommy I love you more than anything in the whole world except for Jesus, because thats what I tell her. My sweet blessing from heaven. If time could stand still while she was little. Please God come back for us before she turns into a teen. lol

The security gates of safety..

I am soooooo sleepy today. I woke up at 4:00 am after a bad dream. I prayed after I went and checked on my daughter. I dreamed she was trapped under a security gate and she was far away and I was on the phone trying to find out what was going on. It was awful. I started to pray for her and asked God what my dream meant. I dont usually get the meaning of my dreams for days later. God began to speak to me about my dream. The dread you felt because your daughter was so far away and you felt so helpless and frustrated and scared. There is a gate of protection around us spiritually in the church. When we decide to go beyond the boundaries of the gates, we are in enemy territory. God said to me that was you trapped under the gate. You couldnt move. I was holding you there. I want you to know how I feel when you drift spiritually away from me. Yes I have the power to save you, but you have a choice to open the gate and walk towards the enemy of your soul. I feel that dread for your soul when you get close to the outside of the gates. I stopped you at the gate. Your may be injured because the gate has you locked in. The prayers of others trapped you there. He told me you have the ability to go out there. But I want you to know if you make it past the security gate of my protection what it will do to me. The pain and hurt and anguish and all those things you felt for your child how much more do I feel for you. Stay inside the gates my daughter He said. He told me when people wander out or purposely go out there is no guarantee of ever getting back inside. He told me He cant protect us outside of the gates. We have a choice to put ourselves on the other side. He told me we our beyond His reach if we go to far. He said He trapped my soul and wanted me to feel how He feels when people walk away from Him. Or in my case wander off spiritually never meaning to step outside the gate. I thanked God for talking to me. My heart was so broken for my daughter in my dream. I couldnt get to her and I was so frustrated I wanted to just kill the person on the phone because they were being so vague and not telling me what was going on. I just buried my face and tried not to scream and cried and said God please help me. In my dream I couldnt rescue her and I knew I only had God to help me. I just prayed in my dream God help her to remember to pray because I could hear her crying and getting really scared. When God spoke to me I realized in my own trial I havent taken it to the Lord. I have just shut off all of my emotions which I can do so well and in doing that I shut God out too. He could hear me crying and He was trying to tell me to stop drifting away from Him spiritually, but to pray and back away from the gates that lead to enemy territory. I didnt realize where I was. In Bible hour they talked about defense and offense and Bishop Hurst said some things yesterday I will never forget. He talked about how defense is so important. Bro John was saying how he loved offense and Bishop explained why defense was so important. It really ministered to me. I would love to hear a message preached on the winning game of defense. Anyway, for the record I wasnt thinking of backsliding. I was just having a moment of closing off my heart from my problem and when I do that I close out my Father who cares for my soul. He wanted me to realize how much it scares Him and hurts Him when I do that. I wasnt playing a good game of defense. I was allowing the enemy of offense to beat me. The end result is I am an overcomer. I am not a survivor. Thank you Bro Than for an exceptional message. It encouraged me to stand up and fight back. I hate whiners too..
Thank you Lord for always giving me these awesome moments of clarity. I appreciate them so much. You are such a personal God. I love you so very much and keep me in the gates of safety. I think its time to play some defense Bishop Hurst.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities against powers against rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds!!

Thank you Sis Tena E for being sensitive to the Holy Ghost. I appreciate you and yours so very much. That prayer pulled me through and kept me inside the spiritual gates. Love u..

Elizabeth was hungry.

Today as I was walking into a place to have lunch there was a lady sitting on the bench outside. She was dirty and sitting under the hot sun. Her feet were exposed and were swollen and dirty. Her fingernails were filthy and her clothes unwashed.
Something pricked my heart. I said hello to her and she smiled back and said hello. Something touched my heart as we walked through the door. I quickly turned back around and went back outside and asked the lady if she had eaten. She said no. I asked her if she wanted a burrito and something to drink. She said yes. Then as I went to go in to order her a burrito she said God Bless you. I responded the same. I gave her a burrito and a sprite. When I walked back in my friend said, do you know her? I said no, she looked hungry.
When I went to give her the burrito I hugged her and I told her God loved her and she was not forgotten. I told her to take care of herself and eyes filled up with tears. I asked her name and told her I would be praying for her. I wanted to ask her if she wanted to be baptized, but I knew I couldn't on my 30 min break.
When I went inside the people at the counter were talking and saying that she was always outside and begging. My friend told me what they were saying in spanish. I told her you know what. I dont care if she is there every day. She is hungry and I have the means to feed her. I dont care who she is or where she is from or what her situation is. I care I passed by her and she was hungry and if it is within our power to help when we see a need we should do it.
My friend agreed. I watched the lady eat the food and drink her sprite from the window and I sadly wondered, Lord how did she arrive here? at this place in her life? What has she been through to bring her to this desolate place? I told my friend that could be me or you or anyone of us. Such were some of you the bible says. Her name is Elizabeth. She could be somebody's mother. She is someones daughter. Sister? Friend? She is something to somebody. And even if she isnt God sees her. God loves her. As I sit here back at the office with tears streaming down my face my heart breaks for her. No one wants to be like that. She just needs Jesus. Thats all she needs is a touch from the Masters hand. Next week when I go back I plan to sit and have lunch with her. Im going to tell her about my Jesus. Im going to tell her where she can find hope in her life. Today I could only feed her real food. Hopefully God will allow me to feed her spiritually. Although I have given to the homeless before, I am no saint. I have walked by homeless people and also rushed on by. Thinking aawwww. Hating to see them in despair. What did I do?? Nothing. Today God would not let me keep walking.
God saw her need. God provided for her. He just needed my hands to give her the food. He just needs us to do what He wants to do Himself. He uses us as His mouthpiece. us as His hands. Us as His feet. If God would of not unctioned my spirit, I dont think I would of stopped.
Now I realize I have to do something. No one stopped to feed her today. No one cared. God sent me there because His child was hungry and He used me to feed her. I take no glory from Him. Because it was all His will. For all I know Elizabeth could of been praying for food.
I feel so small to see how Big He can be. God loves Elizabeth and He loved her through me. I felt this love when I hugged her. Gods special love. She smelled and was dirty but love saw past that. God sees past all the fault and sees the need. I feel so blessed God would allow me to experience this compassion He has for the lost.
I wonder when was the last time someone hugged her? Then I feel so privileged God allowed my arms to be His today. Jesus help me to stop and do your will and not to rush by and forget about anyone. Thank you Lord for the lesson of Love today. Please pray for Elizabeth..

Pastor Hurst~ Elder Mullings~ Bishop Nelson

God is good all the time. Saturday we went to a youth service at East Valley. I actually snuck over to the prayer meeting they were having and got to hear Bishop Nelson give an awesome testimony. He told everyone that he had put his house on the market and they were coming up to the last days of their second contract. They had been praying and fasting God would help them sell the house and they had lost some money. For 30 days the entire daycare staff was praying and fasting and it was down to the last day to settle with the lawyer and they got a call the house was made an offer by a guy who was on the fortune 500 list! Bishop Nelson said God showed up at the last minute to bail them out of their delimma. Then I watched the man who used to be my pastor in his broken and humble spirit tell his church that he told his wife, honey we dont need this house it is to much. I just know this is the will of God. He said as he choked up he would be giving back to the house of God to pay off the note on the big church. They did this before when they built the big church and I remember The Nelson's living in their motor home when they gave everything to God and God in return blessed them mightly. They now again they live in their motor home because they want to give back to the work of God. He gave God all the glory and honor and said you will never regret giving to God. You cant out give God he said. I told him after service Bro Nelson I cant believe you guys did that again. I told him God was going to bless them just like he did before. He just smiled and said thank you.
Then our church had Bro Mulling's yesterday. What an honor. I have always loved Elder Mullings and his wonderful wife. The one thing about Elder Mullings over the years I have observed about this great man of God is his humble spirit. I dont think I have met anyone who has more of a humble spirit.
When he talked about his son and all they went through with tears in his eyes and spoke to us about how they did without so they could give it was truly inspiring. I felt so privileged to be able to have Elder Mullings for such a special service. There are so many great men in this gospel. We have one of the best preachers to walk in shoe leather as our pastor. We could have had any great man come and minister to us with all the people the Hurst family knows, but to have someone with a heart as humble as Bro mullings is truly an honor. He has an awesome spirit of giving that shines through in his preaching. I have heard him speak at many different places and I have always walked away so full in my heart and been in such awe of his humble attitude towards people. Quick to give God all the glory and so meek in spirit. I cant say enough good about them. They are truly a blessing to our district. They deserve the praise and recognition.
I realized how this spirit of giving is being dealt with in other churches as well. My husband and I finally found a place in Hollister. It was the first house we looked at and it has 2 bedrooms and a huge backyard and a washer and dryer!! We are thrilled we will be moving closer to the church. God just swung the doors wide open for us. In return I feel like God is expecting more from us. More giving financially to our church. More time, more work, more work, and then more work.
I am excited because only what we do for Christ will last. I have prayed so many prayers for God to have his perfect will in our lives and now I see every opportunity for Him to do just that. Now I can go to the church and pray. That is my greatest desire. We are close so that we can help whoever, whenever they need. We can WIN the city of Hollister ... It takes a huge load off of us to be closer to work for God. Thank you everyone who prayed. I can finally do the old folks ministry again at the rest home. :) I love old people.
Well that song is in my head I want to live the way Jesus wants me to live, I want give, give til theres no more to give I want to love, love til theres just no more love I could never, never out give the Lord.
Praise to King of Kings and Lord of Lords from which all good things come.

Use your signals for the love of Pete!

This happened at the DMV and I bet they got their license.

This wont be spiritual so stop reading now if you must.
Ok, I have come to a conclusion. Salinas has the worst drivers in all of the United States. Today my windshield is iced over thus taking 5 whole minutes off of my departure schedule. Never a good thing because I have this down to a science. I leave by a certain time and we get to where we are going on time.
Sooooo after my car defrosts I go and barely into my journey to Analycia's school there are all sorts of people making illegal u-turns to drop their kids off at another school on our way causing major hazard and utter ciaos. I just shake my head and drive on. Then I get behind some bobo lady who wants to go 20 mph in a 35 zone. She is just scooting along while I pray for her to get out of my way. Mind you she uses NO turn signals as she is crawling along. She decides to come to a complete stop and then proceeds to turn ever so slowly into her destination. Why does every car have signals?? It is the law right? Use them for the love of Pete people!!! Oh I thank God for the Holy Ghost at this point because I wanted to give her the ol your #1 lady signal.. AAaaaahhhhhhhh! I finally get to drop my precious lamb at school and she runs to her class and slides through the door just as the bell rings!! Yes!! Victory.. She beats the bell.. OOOhhhhh Lord I think as I walk back to my car. I drive away thinking salinas is full of lame drivers and wonder if I am the only person here who actually knows how to drive and use my turn signals. I watched some old man driving with his wife yesterday weave from one lane to the other cutting off cars that were zooming around them with their windshield wipers on. It was sunny!!!!! I thought come on why does this guy have a license? He is going to kill someone or himself and his dear old wife. I am utterly disgusted. Anyone can drive on our roads even if they cant drive. Sooooo to top my morning off right? Im turning onto my main street to get to work and here comes a truck merging right into my car.. I slam on my breaks and honk the horn and they look over and are like, whoops! I gave them the thumbs up sign for good going idiot!! Couldnt help it I had to at least show them my thumb. Id had it. Then to add to my drive of dread my horn continues to blow at random after I hit it really hard when I slammed on my breaks. So these idiots in the truck are thinking this lady is crazy while Im driving behind them after they nearly hit me with my horn blowing off and on. I finally gave it a hard whack and it stopped. Yeah that was my start of the day!!! Doesnt get better than that.. So I just thanked God that I didnt get hit and I didnt give them a hand gesture to cause regretful repentance and no one was hurt. Then I laughed at my dumb horn. That was pretty funny after the dust settled, but Im still bothered the DMV actually keeps giving some of these people THE PRIVILEGE to drive when they obviously CANT! ok.. I feel better now. I think everyone should get tested by three different people at the dmv before you get the license. That would help weed out the some of these people who shouldnt even be driving a big wheel let alone a car. I loved my big wheel and I drove good back then too. Hummm. Thats my soapbox theory of the day.

Prayer for a Pentecostal Hero

Please pray for Sis Nona Freeman. She is my hero and I got word this am she has endured a stroke and is in ICU.. Sis Nona is someone I have grown up loving and admiring all my years in this truth. She is who I want to be when I grow up.. Please pray for her family during this time.
I pray God's perfect will be done. She has given so much to our organization and if Jesus is calling her home No one deserves to meet Him more. If God wants her to continue her journey then I pray for a complete healing and comfort to reach her.

Moonlighting with Jesus

Soooooo Ive waited to share my moonlighting story with you.. I took a second job about four weeks ago. I was kind of embarrassed because it was a waitress position. My primary job gave me almost three weeks off and I needed to supplement our income so I asked my husband if I could work 2 or 3 nights just for a month.
He wasnt real thrilled but I can be pretty tenacious when I want to do something. He agreed for a month. Anywho, I was there and the first week I asked myself silently what am I doing here? Then I heard that still small voice speak back to me and say you are here for her. I looked over and there was one of the other servers standing there. God began to speak to me about her situation. He told me she was sick and God told me He wanted to heal her.
Later that week I kept seeing her and I didnt say anything. The following week she and I were working together and we started to talk and I asked her if she believed in God. Her eyes lit up and she said yes so I proceeded to tell her I hope you wont think Im crazy but God told me you were sick are you sick? She said yes I have an eating disorder. I told her God had told me I was there for her. I asked her to come to church with me and told her when we pray for her God was going to heal her. She started to cry right there at the station and she told me last week I was on my knees every night I cried myself to sleep and told God to please help me. She said she felt so hopeless and begged God for His help. I told her well He heard you and Im sorry I didnt tell you this last week when God was speaking to me about you. She just looked at me and said wow! She hugged me and she said she will come to church the very next sunday she has off. So please pray God opens her sunday schedule because she has a miracle in store. I had to ask God to forgive me for waiting instead of pulling the trigger when God told me to.
Then Sunday night I worked and these two ladies came in and we got to talking and boy did we ever talk about Jesus. At one point I sat down at the booth with them just enthralled in our conversation. Its not like I cared if they fired me my month is up. lol Anyhow these ladies lost their homes to foreclosure and one of them did missionary work in hungry.
One of the ladies started to cry at the table when I was telling the other lady God had something better for her and He didnt intend to leave her high and dry and it was no accident they came in and I was their waitress. It was just awesome the whole thing. They are supposed to come to church this Sunday. They said they had been wanting to go to church and talked about it and didnt go last sunday as they had planned and they would love to come and visit our church.
One of them asked me after I told them the name of our church and saw me with my black skirt (the only girl in a skirt) Do I have to wear a dress? I said come as you are. I walked away so humbled to be used of God in a waitress position God has literally pointed people out to me to witness to. So I have. My husband said to me Sunday, honey you need to quit that job and I told him babe God is using me to reach these souls in desperate need of him. I told him they cut my hours to one night a week. Hey thats one or two souls a week. Plus tips!!!! lol I was embarrassed about my moonlighting job. Im not anymore. I know its only for a season. But hey you can reap a harvest in a season!!!! This ones for you Bro Omar and my wonderful husband, "THATS AWESOME!!!!!!! So you can say my second job is soul winning. Ill keep doing it til they fire me for serving Jesus with the food.... Ha!

The Best

Happy New Year Time has flown by for me. I may stand the risk of sounding like a broken record but, I have to say I have such an awesome pastor. Yesterday we had a communion service and on our way to church I was talking with the Lord and praying for my family silently. God began to talk to me about how much He loved me. He told me Noel if my church could ever get a revelation of my unconditional love it would change their mind set. I was thanking God for being so good to me and I wondered how He could love me after all the wrong choices I make and how much I fail Him. He just said to me there is nothing that will separate you from me. He said to me if you decided to walk away today My spirit would grieve for you and I would still see my one sheep was missing from the 100 I would have 99. I started to cry because I realized I dont and never will understand the love God has for me. That was His point to me sunday morning. He said His love can reach through the faults He can reach through all the mistakes and all the regret and all the hurt and all the pain and anything else we struggle with He can love us through it all. He told me I love you and He told me He loved my church. He said if my church could ever get a revelation of my unconditional love it would change them. He told me He performed the ultimate act of Love for us. It was so beautiful. My pastor said yesterday among other great things, God loves you and that is profound He said. He didnt know how true that one statement rang true to my heart after what God had spoken to me. I feel like our church has found favor with God. When God told me how much He loved our church I cant explain the Love I felt all around me. It was so comforting and real. During the service I could feel such a powerful touch of Gods love all over me. We had foot washing and I had the privilege of washing Sis Patricia Hurst's feet it was such a beautiful experience. I prayed a double portion of Gods anointing over every aspect of her life. I felt like God heard my prayer and poured an anointing on her. I cant wait to see God use her as He has told me He plans to. God has such an awesome ministry birthing through this couple. It is huge. I saw Bro Gary talking to huge crowds of people. I just cant wait to see the fruition of Gods promise to them. I love my pastor and his wife. They are just such a blessing. My pastor when he preaches is just the best. I have to say the best Ive ever heard. I have heard a lot. He is just the best and that best comes from a good mother and a great wife. Great men of God are made from great prayers. God gave us the best... Well God bless you all. Please dont be offended Im sure you all have great pastors to. I know you do I just have the Best.. lol Happy New Year....
A SIDE NOTE ON FOOT WASHING:
Sis Nona Freeman preached a message I listened to a few times on the spirit of foot washing. She said she wouldnt even attend a church that didnt participate in foot washing. I quote.. I think if someone as anointed as Sis Freeman makes that kind of a statement. Foot washing Must be Important. Im with her.... I really hope all of our churches dont lose the beautiful art of foot washing. I praise God we still participate in this ritual that blesses our soul and takes us back to Calvary where we belong. I really believe churches who leave this practice out for whatever reason lose their vision of Calvary. We must never forget ultimate act of Love Jesus endured for us at Calvary. We need humility in our churches. The spirit of foot washing Sis Nona talked about. That is the kind of heart that finds the favor of God. Thats how you get the BEST!!