It's funny how God works, isn't it. I was sitting in the prayer room this morning at 6:00 (gotta make the doughnuts!), when Misty Edwards began to sing "I was made for loving you." All of the sudden, a dream that I had the night before came to mind and God started pulling random things together - trains, Misty, tornados, end times. I told you, pretty random, huh?
Anyway, my dream was like an old black and white movie and I was at a train station. The platform was packed. Everyone was waiting for this express train to arrive at the station, however, no time had been given for its arrival. On the overhead speakers I could here Misty singing "People get ready..." As I wandered around I discovered that some had been waiting on it for years. I noticed that everyone's belongings were thrown into huge piles all over the platform. There were very few that had gone through, who were going through, or who were helping others go through the piles to prepare for the train's arrival. The vast majority were sleeping, mingling, or buying from the merchants on the platform away from the tracks. They were totally oblivious to the tracks. Very few were actually looking down the tracks in anticipation of the train's arrival at the station. Most of the people figured that there would be plenty of time to prepare or that it really wasn't coming at all.
Yesterday, we had tornadic conditions in KC. The tornado sirens sounded and everyone did what we all do when we hear them. We came out of the building to look! But basically, most ignored them. A few tuned into the weather channel to see if they needed to take cover.
So, this morning God brought it all together. We need to get ready. He's coming, soon. I know, people have been saying that for 2000 years now. But guess what? We're 2000 years closer than John was. It could be 5, 10, 20, or 100 more years. But, if you wait on that train to arrive at the station or to see that tornado before you take cover, it's pretty much too late. If you listen, you will hear warning signals announcing the train and tornado's approach. Why not listen to the warning signals God's giving. Are you gazing down the tracks? "People get ready, Jesus is coming!"
August 11, 2009
August 9, 2009
KP: Hummingbird or Dove
KP Writes:
Good Morning! Blessings from a very hot KC. I guess we are having a Midwest heat wave, but I feel more like I am having a midlife heat stroke!! The last couple of days have registered in the upper 90's only cooling down to the low 80's at night with a pretty constant sultry breeze. (Wow, I sound like I need a job on the weather channel.) Anyway, we expect much needed rain tomorrow which will hopefully cool it down some.
I often wake up early and sit out on our covered patio in the morning. I really enjoy listening to the birds chirp, watching the hawks soar overhead, and starting the day thanking the Lord for His beautiful creation and His provision in my life. On three sides of our patio is a flower garden planted by the previous owners that is very nice. Among the many flowers are hollyhocks, which are tall spindly plants with large brightly colored flowers at their tops. (I would include a picture but I have not yet found the box with the cord to download pictures from my camera to the computer! I have to remember, first things first!!)
Anyway, we also have this hummingbird that comes regularly and feeds from each of the hollyhock blossoms. He is absolutely amazing to watch. He always follows the same flight pattern zooming in from the north side of the house/patio around the 'front' to the south, feeding from each of the open blossoms and then takes off around the southern end of the house. Within a minute or so, the bird will repeat his flight pattern, feed, and leave. He does this 3-5 times before he is gone for the morning. As crazy as it sounds, I really enjoy watching this amazing creature and actually look for him in the mornings.
This morning I got my coffee, sat down and waited, and watched, and waited. No hummingbird. I really wanted to see him, even if just for a moment. As small as he is, he is so beautiful. His activity is so intriguing and amazing. As silly as it sounds, it is a highlight of my morning when he shows up. It brings me joy to watch something so seemingly insignificant doing the things he was created by God to do. Then the Lord spoke so clearly to my heart.
I felt strongly that it was not only a word of affection for me but for the church in America. Tenderly He said, 'My child, today you have had a glimpse into My heart. I am here, day after day, expectantly waiting, anticipating the moment I catch a glimpse of you. You are my beloved, and I long to have you show up, even for just a moment in time. You bring me great joy. You are beautiful and amazing to me. But you are so busy. You are so distracted with other lovers. This world has stolen you away. You are mine. Make time for me. Come and be with me, even for just a moment, even during the regular and necessary routine of everyday life. I am so disappointed when you do not pass by. I love being with you.'
About that time I remembered the pair of doves that are also a part of our back yard sanctuary. Glancing up to the power line, yes, there they were, just sitting, very still. You know doves choose one mate, for life. No others. Their eyes have no peripheral vision. They can look at only on thing at a time. No distractions pulling their gaze off their focus.
Are you more like a dove or a hummingbird? Even as a beautiful hummingbird, our Heavenly Father just wants us to come around the corner because He takes great pleasure in watching us. He loves us and thinks we are absolutely beautiful. He is waiting daily for us to just make a pass by His waiting gaze. We bring Him great joy!
I love you guys!
Kristian
Good Morning! Blessings from a very hot KC. I guess we are having a Midwest heat wave, but I feel more like I am having a midlife heat stroke!! The last couple of days have registered in the upper 90's only cooling down to the low 80's at night with a pretty constant sultry breeze. (Wow, I sound like I need a job on the weather channel.) Anyway, we expect much needed rain tomorrow which will hopefully cool it down some.
I often wake up early and sit out on our covered patio in the morning. I really enjoy listening to the birds chirp, watching the hawks soar overhead, and starting the day thanking the Lord for His beautiful creation and His provision in my life. On three sides of our patio is a flower garden planted by the previous owners that is very nice. Among the many flowers are hollyhocks, which are tall spindly plants with large brightly colored flowers at their tops. (I would include a picture but I have not yet found the box with the cord to download pictures from my camera to the computer! I have to remember, first things first!!)
Anyway, we also have this hummingbird that comes regularly and feeds from each of the hollyhock blossoms. He is absolutely amazing to watch. He always follows the same flight pattern zooming in from the north side of the house/patio around the 'front' to the south, feeding from each of the open blossoms and then takes off around the southern end of the house. Within a minute or so, the bird will repeat his flight pattern, feed, and leave. He does this 3-5 times before he is gone for the morning. As crazy as it sounds, I really enjoy watching this amazing creature and actually look for him in the mornings.
This morning I got my coffee, sat down and waited, and watched, and waited. No hummingbird. I really wanted to see him, even if just for a moment. As small as he is, he is so beautiful. His activity is so intriguing and amazing. As silly as it sounds, it is a highlight of my morning when he shows up. It brings me joy to watch something so seemingly insignificant doing the things he was created by God to do. Then the Lord spoke so clearly to my heart.
I felt strongly that it was not only a word of affection for me but for the church in America. Tenderly He said, 'My child, today you have had a glimpse into My heart. I am here, day after day, expectantly waiting, anticipating the moment I catch a glimpse of you. You are my beloved, and I long to have you show up, even for just a moment in time. You bring me great joy. You are beautiful and amazing to me. But you are so busy. You are so distracted with other lovers. This world has stolen you away. You are mine. Make time for me. Come and be with me, even for just a moment, even during the regular and necessary routine of everyday life. I am so disappointed when you do not pass by. I love being with you.'
About that time I remembered the pair of doves that are also a part of our back yard sanctuary. Glancing up to the power line, yes, there they were, just sitting, very still. You know doves choose one mate, for life. No others. Their eyes have no peripheral vision. They can look at only on thing at a time. No distractions pulling their gaze off their focus.
Are you more like a dove or a hummingbird? Even as a beautiful hummingbird, our Heavenly Father just wants us to come around the corner because He takes great pleasure in watching us. He loves us and thinks we are absolutely beautiful. He is waiting daily for us to just make a pass by His waiting gaze. We bring Him great joy!
I love you guys!
Kristian
July 29, 2009
AP: Recognizing an Ungrateful Heart...ouch
AP Writes:
I just finished moving my entire belongings from my rental house to my new house. It took forever because we had to do little loads in our two cars. Each night I would crash into bed and wonder how many more loads it would take until we were finally done. My arms were sore and I began to wish we didn't have so much stuff. Then it hit me......hard. I realized how ungrateful I had been for all the stuff we have. Most of the stuff we have has been passed down generations.....therefore most of it I see as old and useless. Some of it is good stuff....like some of the furniture. But the rest is, to me, useless.
I began to think about people who don't have any stuff.....or only what they can carry. I was then feeling very guilty about being ungrateful for the stuff I do have. I asked God to help me be grateful for the things he has given me......like a house to live in, plenty of food to eat, more furniture than I can count (even if some of it is wayyyyyy out dated), family that loves me, friends that watch out for me, and a God who wants me to be with him where he is. Sometimes we strive to find something to be appreciative of when we can be thankful for something that it right under our nose. We need to get a greater perspective of how small we are and how little our feelings matter and look at the big picture. You can be thankful for everything......you just have to look through the right lens. :)
ATP
I just finished moving my entire belongings from my rental house to my new house. It took forever because we had to do little loads in our two cars. Each night I would crash into bed and wonder how many more loads it would take until we were finally done. My arms were sore and I began to wish we didn't have so much stuff. Then it hit me......hard. I realized how ungrateful I had been for all the stuff we have. Most of the stuff we have has been passed down generations.....therefore most of it I see as old and useless. Some of it is good stuff....like some of the furniture. But the rest is, to me, useless.
I began to think about people who don't have any stuff.....or only what they can carry. I was then feeling very guilty about being ungrateful for the stuff I do have. I asked God to help me be grateful for the things he has given me......like a house to live in, plenty of food to eat, more furniture than I can count (even if some of it is wayyyyyy out dated), family that loves me, friends that watch out for me, and a God who wants me to be with him where he is. Sometimes we strive to find something to be appreciative of when we can be thankful for something that it right under our nose. We need to get a greater perspective of how small we are and how little our feelings matter and look at the big picture. You can be thankful for everything......you just have to look through the right lens. :)
ATP
July 27, 2009
KP: Getting Settled
KP Writes:
Wow! We have now been back to Kansas City for almost two weeks. The Prices are doing well. We have moved out of the rental house and now have all of our belongings under one roof for the first time in 10 months. That feels good! We are by no means unpacked, but our beds are up, the kitchen is in working order, the washer and dryer are hooked up, and we have found our towels and shampoo. The basics are covered. (And yes, we miraculously found the hardware to attach the refrigerator door!! Thank you, Lord! Refrigeration is very good!!)
Jeff is getting more familiar with the customer service area and beginning to meet many of the people in the various departments. (I'll let him write more in that regard) He has a totally new prayer room schedule with many more daytime hours. (As a family we have had a mostly 6pm-midnight schedule since Intro.)
Ashton and Mallory are in their second week of ATC (Awakening Teen Camp). It culminates this weekend with the Fascinate '09 conference which is a high school conference after Psalm 119:37. Basically it is a conference with teens from all over the nation in attendance who desire to consecrate their hearts in radial pursuit of Jesus. One of the emphasis of the conference is that 'the time has come for a generation to turn away their eyes from looking at worthless things and look to the beauty of the King'.
I have been treasuring my time in the prayer room to just get still before the Creator of the universe. It was great to be home and visit everyone, but it is wonderful to be back before the Lord in the place He has called me to be, ministering in the way He directs. I have had the awesome privilege of walking along side a precious friend who is struggling. The Lord laid it on my heart that in this season I am to be one of her "stretcher bearers". It is my prayer for each of us that we will not be too busy or consumed with the things of life, good things, to be the stretcher bearers for fellow believers who become tired, weak, sick, downcast, discouraged, unable to to walk the walk and approach the throne on their own. We need each other. The enemy knows it and strategically provides plenty of opportunity to keep us too busy. Too busy to spend time with Jesus. Too busy to be a stretcher bearer.
It is time for some unpacking....
Love you,
Kristian
Wow! We have now been back to Kansas City for almost two weeks. The Prices are doing well. We have moved out of the rental house and now have all of our belongings under one roof for the first time in 10 months. That feels good! We are by no means unpacked, but our beds are up, the kitchen is in working order, the washer and dryer are hooked up, and we have found our towels and shampoo. The basics are covered. (And yes, we miraculously found the hardware to attach the refrigerator door!! Thank you, Lord! Refrigeration is very good!!)
Jeff is getting more familiar with the customer service area and beginning to meet many of the people in the various departments. (I'll let him write more in that regard) He has a totally new prayer room schedule with many more daytime hours. (As a family we have had a mostly 6pm-midnight schedule since Intro.)
Ashton and Mallory are in their second week of ATC (Awakening Teen Camp). It culminates this weekend with the Fascinate '09 conference which is a high school conference after Psalm 119:37. Basically it is a conference with teens from all over the nation in attendance who desire to consecrate their hearts in radial pursuit of Jesus. One of the emphasis of the conference is that 'the time has come for a generation to turn away their eyes from looking at worthless things and look to the beauty of the King'.
I have been treasuring my time in the prayer room to just get still before the Creator of the universe. It was great to be home and visit everyone, but it is wonderful to be back before the Lord in the place He has called me to be, ministering in the way He directs. I have had the awesome privilege of walking along side a precious friend who is struggling. The Lord laid it on my heart that in this season I am to be one of her "stretcher bearers". It is my prayer for each of us that we will not be too busy or consumed with the things of life, good things, to be the stretcher bearers for fellow believers who become tired, weak, sick, downcast, discouraged, unable to to walk the walk and approach the throne on their own. We need each other. The enemy knows it and strategically provides plenty of opportunity to keep us too busy. Too busy to spend time with Jesus. Too busy to be a stretcher bearer.
It is time for some unpacking....
Love you,
Kristian
July 17, 2009
AP: New Blog
Hello Everyone!
Just thought I would let you know that I started my own blog to write down my thoughts and feelings on life. I was inspired by a couple of my mentors and thought it would be cool if I did one of my own as well as wrote some on the family one. The address to my new blog is http://purplemyrrh.blogspot.com. I am very excited to see what God lays on my heart to share with his children. Tomorrow I start ATC, the summer teen camp at IHOP. I am very excited to see what God reveals these next two weeks. I couldn't help but smile when I got back from RiverStone's sumer camp, Awakening, and read the name of IHOP's camp, AWAKENING Teen Camp! It about made me burst I was so excited. Well, I gotta go unpack some more boxes......ttyl!
Love ya!
Ashton :)
Just thought I would let you know that I started my own blog to write down my thoughts and feelings on life. I was inspired by a couple of my mentors and thought it would be cool if I did one of my own as well as wrote some on the family one. The address to my new blog is http://purplemyrrh.blogspot.com. I am very excited to see what God lays on my heart to share with his children. Tomorrow I start ATC, the summer teen camp at IHOP. I am very excited to see what God reveals these next two weeks. I couldn't help but smile when I got back from RiverStone's sumer camp, Awakening, and read the name of IHOP's camp, AWAKENING Teen Camp! It about made me burst I was so excited. Well, I gotta go unpack some more boxes......ttyl!
Love ya!
Ashton :)
July 9, 2009
AP: Two days....and oh my goodness!!!!
Hello all! Well we have only been back for two days now and it feels like we have done two weeks worth of work! We got back on Monday evening about 9:30pm.......a long 14 & 1/2 hour drive. On Tuesday we went to our new house and unloaded the uhaul of the last of our stuff from Georgia. Then since we had the big 'moving van' we decided to use it to transport as much stuff as possible. So we made two more huge loads that day. On Wednesday we continued to haul more stuff on the uhaul. We almost got the whole garage, which we have been using as a store all, of our rental house emptied out! We also did the yardwork at our new house. I'll tell you one thing for sure......we bought ourselves some grass! Mallory and I mowed the lawn while our parents weedeated, edged, etc. We also cleaned out our fish pond!!! We have 13 fish.......7 orange and 6 white. (As my dad said, 'Jesus and his 12 disciples'. This is funny because the people who owned the house before us last name was Goforth. Funny huh?)
Today the goal is to pick out paint and start painting the inside of our new house. I am so excited!!! Well, I gotta go since my muscles are needed. (My muscles are so tired they might just decided to wither away so they don't have to be used anymore! They have carried a ton of boxes!) Anyway, I hope to write more soon! Have a blessed week!
Love ya!
Ashton :)
Today the goal is to pick out paint and start painting the inside of our new house. I am so excited!!! Well, I gotta go since my muscles are needed. (My muscles are so tired they might just decided to wither away so they don't have to be used anymore! They have carried a ton of boxes!) Anyway, I hope to write more soon! Have a blessed week!
Love ya!
Ashton :)
KP: We Are Back
KP Writes:
Hello everyone!! We are back from our fantastic trip to GA. We were able to visit with all of our family, see many friends, share what God is doing in our lives and at IHOP-KC with several home groups.
One of our highlights was attending our home church's Summer Youth Camp. (the one I started attending in 1976!) Jeff and I were counselors and the girls went as students. (duh) Let me tell you, God is moving with those teens (and adults). It is so exciting to see how He is raising up a prayer movement all across the earth, and He is not leaving out those in the Cobb, Paulding Co. area! God is raising up radical forerunners and healing revivalists who are passionately in love with Him, who know how to pray to see heaven on earth!! What an incredible time to be alive!! I say come Lord Jesus! (Let the Spirit and the Bride say come!!)
I will try to write in "snippets" as I have so many things screaming to be taken care of now that we are back in MO. Hopefully pictures are in the future. We are now living between two houses so the month of July looks pretty wild.
God is good, all the time! He loves us!!
Love,
Kristian
Hello everyone!! We are back from our fantastic trip to GA. We were able to visit with all of our family, see many friends, share what God is doing in our lives and at IHOP-KC with several home groups.
One of our highlights was attending our home church's Summer Youth Camp. (the one I started attending in 1976!) Jeff and I were counselors and the girls went as students. (duh) Let me tell you, God is moving with those teens (and adults). It is so exciting to see how He is raising up a prayer movement all across the earth, and He is not leaving out those in the Cobb, Paulding Co. area! God is raising up radical forerunners and healing revivalists who are passionately in love with Him, who know how to pray to see heaven on earth!! What an incredible time to be alive!! I say come Lord Jesus! (Let the Spirit and the Bride say come!!)
I will try to write in "snippets" as I have so many things screaming to be taken care of now that we are back in MO. Hopefully pictures are in the future. We are now living between two houses so the month of July looks pretty wild.
God is good, all the time! He loves us!!
Love,
Kristian
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