Sheltered Shadow

Psalm 91 - if you haven't read it in a while, go to it again, read it now (then come back and finish the blog).

When our family lived in Florida and Georgia, there were times when the heat of the day was so intense - sweltering! Oppressive! And often you just couldn't get away from it. It made doing anything difficult - even breathing at times. Sometimes life can be like that. Intense, sweltering, oppressive - hot! And a cool refreshing shelter is so needed, yet seems to allude you and you feel like you can't breath! Maybe you're there right now....

God has promised a sheltered shadow - a place of refuge and safety - from every trap and fatal plague. He has promised to shield you with His wings! And you can hold on to that promise because (vs4) "His faithful promises are your armor and protection." As for you.... just abide in there - in Him, and declare... (vs2) "He is my God, and I am trusting Him." Read Psalm 91 again, even if you did a few minutes ago... And declare His promises all throughout the chapter! You will find that cool refreshing shelter you need! Breath His Word and LIVE!!

Writings from Life Through...To A Shout of Joy

The Promise of Joy (ch 1)

In Psalm 91:1-2 we see that dwelling in God's presence will provide a place for us to abide under the shadow of the Almighty. That's where I'm learning to live, every moment of every day.

As I was thinking about abiding under the shadow of the Almighty and what that's like, the Lord reminded me of what it's like on a hot day, when the sun is blazing and you have to be out in it for a while. You can feel your skin begin to burn, the heat saps your energy and if you're out in it too long it can become dangerous. Now, think about how much of a relief it is to step into a shadow. Being under a huge tree with the breeze blowing over you, cooling your hot sticky skin, is such a relief. That's what it is like when we are dwelling under His wings. It is there that we are shadowed (sheltered and relieved) from the fires of life burning us.

In John 15:9 Jesus says, "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you: abide in My love." The Father and the Son are eternal, and their love is eternal. Yet their love for us is so intense that both gave up a portion of being one in order for Jesus to come to earth and bring us back into covenant with God, back into intimate fellowship through the shedding of His blood, just for our redemption, for our relief from the fires of hell. He loves us, and is calling for us to live in His love, under the shadow of His wings and in His joy.

If God has touched you and you found the place under the shadow of His wings, please share it with someone going through the fire that they may find relief.

Living in His Joy and Strength!!

See you next week!

Rehearsing Hope and Joy

In the last few weeks the subject of hope has peaked it's way into my life quite often. I have been led to scriptures about hope, hear conversations that go like, "I need hope in my life!" and have felt my own hope in some areas floundering a bit. Last week I talked some about rehearsing - re-hear-ing and re-see-ing what we think about and what we say. And I have to admit, I've been in a bit of a funk with my walk of hope and how I'm processing circumstances in my life right now. And I have felt myself slipping into a sea of muck instead of a sea of life and hope. But this morning I awoke - well, the Holy Spirit woke me up (it's 4:40am), with the messages I'm to do at a conference coming up in Georgia with my friend Tammy - Equipped for Joy - (you can go to her web site to see more information or register www.legacyministries.info It's going to be powerful!!) But in the midst of hearing from Him for this conference - I was reminded.... Doreen, this is what you need to be doing right now too! I need to allow hope to rise up in me. I need to re-see hope and joy in my own life, so... I need to re-hear myself saying the right things! Not, "I can't..." or "I don't..." or "I'm feeling..." or "I'm stuck in..." NO! But rather re-hear myself saying things like... "Holy Spirit, rise up in me and stir up life in me!" or "I speak life - Holy Spirit filled, power packed life!" "Rise Up old dead dry bones - come alive!!" (Ezekiel 37) "But as for me, I will hope continually and I will praise You more and more!" (Psalm 71:14) "Mortal body...you are quickened and filled with life by the power of the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead!!" (Romans 8:11)

What do you need to re-hear so that you can re-see hope and joy in your life?

I'm so thankful the Holy Spirit is our helper! I needed this word today! This reminder. Here is a little "rehearsal" I do often (although, for too long now, I have missed rehearsals) and hopefully it will help you too... When I'm down or blue in my mind or spirit, this is something the Lord has taught me to do - to say...

"This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it! For the Joy of the Lord is my strength and He is the glory and the lifter of my head, a shield about me, my Rock and my fortress, my hiding place. Therefore I will not fear for He has upheld me with His righteous right hand and Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world! So I will stand in faith in the power of His might for if my God be for me...who can be against me!!" Amen!! This always brings life and joy to me - always rises me up!

Here are some scriptures that I have put in my book Life Through...To A Shout of Joy (pg 174) that you can look up and will help you put together for yourself something like that ...
Nehemiah 8:10, 1 John 4:4, Philippians 4:13, Psalm 71:5, Romans 5:5, Isaiah 41:10, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 27:1-3, Acts 16:31, Psalm 118:24, Ephesians 6:10, 1 Corinthians 2:16, Romans 8:31, 1 John 4:9, Isaiah 26:3, Hebrews 4:14-16

Writings from Life Through...To A Shout of Joy

The Walk of Joy

Ch 9 - Speak

Psalm 19:14 "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer."

The spirit realm is released when we speak out loud, whether it's positive or negative, life or death. I know it seems far fetched, but I have experienced it and know from scripture that what we say can determine what happens in our future. Our words can determine how we feel, good or bad, and how we live. There is power in words! God said, "Let there be," and there was! Scripture tells us that there is life and death in the power of the tongue. Jesus taught that it wasn't what went into the body that defiled a man, but the things that proceeded out of his mouth.

Changing the way you speak is something you will need the Holy Spirit to help you with. I know I do. It's not anything I can do all by myself, but I can make the choice to speak in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. I can choose to say "God has good plans for me" or "nothing good will happen to me." "This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice" or "I'll never be happy." If we don't change the way we talk (and think) then we limit God in our lives, or in the lives of others, and Satan will drag us further and further away from the victory that Jesus died to give us.... We need to do what we know is right to do even if we don't feel like it. That's faith, living a supernatural life. Once we do our part and put into practice the Word of God, speaking it out loud, we invite God to bring His blessings, promises, deliverance, healing and provision into our lives.

Living in His joy and strength!!

See you next week

The Habit of Thanks

Last night a group of ladies gathered together during our monthly women's ministry night, and we had a wonderful time of worship - a sweet aroma of adoration, soaking in the precious love of the Lord, sharing our heart of thanks to Him and praying for others. I sat there wishing more would have experienced His arms of love that were so tangible to each one of us there!
One of the things I shared with these women as be gathered was the importance of nurturing a habit of thanksgiving - a heart of gratitude. So often we very quickly and easily can rehearse - which by the way, when you dissect this word you get - re...hear...se - what we rehearse, we re hear and re see in our lives, minds and emotions....but that's another whole story, sermon, teaching, maybe even book.... But instead of declaring the good things that God has done, often we get caught in the cycle of rehearsing and talking about the hard places, difficulties, test, trials, hurts etc., and we then walk in the habit of negativity, complaining, depression, which all feed hopelessness. This aught not to be - yet I myself have lived many years just like that. But no more! God has transformed my mind and heart to one that practices the habit of thanksgiving - a heart of gratitude! And everything - I mean everything is different in my life now!
Ephesians 5:20 says always (and I'll repeat - make the habit of - always...) give thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God.
Colossians 3:17 says Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
What does that mean for us when things are painful - destruction is at your doorstep - and everything seems to be pushing you down? It means...we turn our eyes and hearts to Jesus and worship Him with a sacrifice of thanksgiving.
In my early 20's my life was so hard! Trauma, pain, heartache, brokenness, fear, were my constant companions. I was so tired, worn out and overwhelmed. I remember one day all this came to a head and as I was standing in the shower crying, sobbing really, angry that all this was going on in my life. But as I was standing there, water pouring over me, the Holy Spirit nudged my heart to give thanks. "Give thanks - for what!" My mind kind of rebelled at that thought. But, with tears and a clenched jaw, I began... "God, I don't want to, I don't feel like it, I don't know how I can, but You said to give thanks so...thank you for these stinking tears! Thank you for this miserable stuffed nose and headache! Thank you for this terrible day"..... that's how it began, not very pretty, but it began - and before long..."Thank you for this shower, this warm water to wash over me! Thank you for this home! Thank you God that I can be real with You!".... and with each voiced thanks, my heart changed, thank by thank that was spoken out....and eventually, with calmness and tears of hope, "God, thank you for Your help! Thank you for healing my heart! Thank you for these difficult times! Thank you that You are always with me! Thank you for Your goodness and faithfulness! Thank you for loving me!" And I was completely bathed in comfort and peace, washed in in the Living Water flowing over me - transformed...all because of giving thanks! Since that time, I have made thanksgiving a habit in my life.
Will you thank Him today - no matter what you're experiencing? If that's a struggle for you, the Holy Spirit is right there to help - ask Him! It will change your life!

Writings from Life Through...To A Shout of Joy

The Walk of Joy

DO...

As Zechariah 4:6 says, it's "Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit..." We need Jesus! When we feel down or become agitated and angry, how does our flesh want to react? We automatically act out what we feel. But with the help of the Holy Spirit we can step back, allow Him to work in us and respond the way He would. We need the help and power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives, but we also need to "do" our part. We need to choose to respond with the Lord's help instead of choosing to react in our flesh. This may take some work, but as Paul says in Colossians 1:29, "I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me."

Living in His Joy and Strength - with a heart of gratitude!!

See you next week!

I'd love to hear from you... how the habit of giving thanks has help or changed your life!

But As For Me...

We're in the thick of the change of seasons, from summer into autumn and soon winter will be upon us. Often change is difficult and people dread it (like winter coming on up here in Minnesota) - and we find ourselves reluctant to follow that change, wanting to stay where we've been. We get so used to, and caught up in the comfort of the same things that we tend to miss the movement the Lord want's to bring into our lives. Sometimes those changes that are the most difficult to allow aren't the new job or home, they're not a new baby or marriage, or not even a different boss or pastor that we have to deal with - but rather the changes within.


I have found myself at times feeling like I'm locked in a room, unable to free myself from this place of lonliness and withdrawing. A room that is comfortable, yet empty. And I long for the closeness I once had with the Lord and friends. Have you ever felt just kind of stuck? And to be honest, I know what it will take to be released from that room - but find myself often shying away from making that move - the change needed. And then I think - what's wrong with you girl - you really want to stay in there!! No, I don't, but in my weakness, I need God!


He is so good! As I was crying out this week about the things deep in my heart... He responded (as He always does) and the door was flung open!!


Psalm 71 - (1) O Lord, I have taken refuge...(2) deliver me and rescue me...(3) Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come...(5) For You are my hope O Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth. (12) Oh God, do not be far from me; hasten to my help!


As I read this - the door swung open - my God who has delivered me became my room - "my rock of habitation" - and I have the freedom to continually come there! The door changed from one I thought was locked to one that was open - open to a room full of love and light. The door to this room is never locked - it's His habitation - His presence! And it brought me great hope once again to remember how God had been my refuge since I was a child!


(14) But as for me...I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more... (20) You...will revive me again, and will bring me up again... (8) My mouth is filled with Your praise and with Your glory all day long... (6) My praise is continually of You!


Do you need hope, freedom from something holding you back? Do you need a refuge from change - or the confidence to walk through that change? Do you need to be living in a different room - one unlocked? Then determine in your heart and step up and say - "But as for me...I will - hope and praise my God more and more!!" That's where your heart will be revived! Fill your mouth with His praise and His glory all day long! I stood this morning in His presence - almost immovable, plastered to the floor - in His presence and it was amazing! Not, bound or lock in a room - but held in His glory!

Writings from Life Through...To A Shout of Joy

The Walk of Joy

Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

BE...God's Friend

In a time of prayer and fasting, I was really struggling with the prayer part. I would set aside time to pray, yet so often I struggled with even starting. I asked the Holy Spirit to help me, saying there were so many pressing things I needed to pray about: family, finances, relationships, our marriage, our children, friends, upcoming mission trips, etc. - yet nothing. As I waited, the Holy Spirit said to me, "This is not a time for you to be doing; I want you to just be with me." I was kind of baffled; here the God of the universe just wanted me to be with Him. I didn't have to do all the things we Christians learn we are supposed to do. I just needed to "be" with Him as a friend. So, I gratefully sat there in His presence, with a full heart, crying and worshiping, loving Him. It wasn't long before my mind began to wrestle with the idea of not praying things through.

"Lord, You said we have not because we ask not. I'm supposed to use this time to pray. Everything I've ever been taught says I need to be praying for..."

"Doreen," (often when something is important and the Lord wants to get my attention He uses my name) "don't you trust Me to take care of all that is in your heart? I already know what you need, now please, just be with Me."

"Yes, Lord," I cried, overwhelmed. It was a wonderful time, Creator to created, Father to daughter, Lord to servant and Friend to friend. Spend time with Him. One of the greatest things you will ever "be" is His friend. There is no place like being in His presence, just being with the One who gave everything for you!

Living in His joy and strength!!

See you next week.

New Clothing

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to live in the days when you had personal attendants and another would dress you? In many of the novels I enjoy, often the man or lady of the house has a maid or servant who will help them get dressed or change clothes. That seems so foreign to me - kind of embarrassing - I think I can dress myself thank you very much!
Yet this morning in my time with the Lord, I was reading in Judges 6 and verse 34 so hit me,(AMP) "But the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with Himself and took possession of him."

That stopped me in my tracks... I so want the Lord to clothe me, but do I allow Him to? Or do I just say, I can do it myself. And what kind of clothing do I wear compared to what the Spirit of the Lord would put on me? Here are some of my discoveries as the Lord began speaking to my heart....

God, I need your Spirit to clothe me. This clothing - is it that I'm to "get dressed" or is it that you "dress me"? "But the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with Himself and took possession of him." It is you Lord who will clothe me - dress me!

Then He said to me, "Doreen, it is in spending time with me that you will be clothed. Take the time needed with me - do not hurry! To dress you in Myself will take time - do not hurry Me. As I clothe you, I am changing the used, old things you have worn now for far too long and put on fresh, new, sturdy and beautiful things that will reflect My clothing, My glory."

Then He took me through the process of changing clothes - getting dressed - being changed. First the outer garments need to come off. Those things that we use to cover up, or only allow others to see. What might your outer garment be? To take off this outer layer will mean that you have to allow God to take off the very things that you've used to survive or use to look like you've got it all together, the garments we let others see that hides the real person underneath.

As that outer layer comes off then the inner layer is exposed. But there too, the Lord wants to take off and change the old T-shirt, stockings, long johns... the layers that you've used to keep yourself warm and covered. What might this middle layer be for you? For me, they are the things that I've learned and worn for so long....they're good, but God wants to give me new things that are refreshing. He wants to fit me with a new revelation of Him and give me a fresh word that will deepen our relationship together. (It take allowing some intimacy to have another dress you). Not just a used old T-shirt, but a new beautiful blouse that will show His handiwork in dressing me.

Then there is that under layer - those items that cover the most private and intimate parts of you. So often we don't ever strip down to these "item" in our life and heart. We just keep them all covered up. It is time to remove them - take off the things no one ever sees and allow the Spirit of the Lord to clothe you with new intimacy, new garments. He is so gentle and loving that His garments He wants to dress you in, will protect and comfort the very things in your life that are so personal and private. He is about to nurture you once again in His coverings for you. He said to me here, "Doreen, I put onto you in this undergarment place - all of who I am. This is what I want to cover you with. It is Me that is the foundation of every other layer of you. As you are clothed in new intimacy with me, then the middle layer can be put back on that gives beauty and warmth and the ability for you to shine forth as My Spirit covers you with new freshness and comfort that others will notice and be drawn to. And once the under and middle garments are changed, and you're wearing My new clothing, then the outer layer can go back on and no longer will it be hiding what's in your heart, who you are. But now, you are changed, dressed in My Spirit and all will see Me because your under, middle and outer garments are all Mine - love, joy, peace, righteousness, holiness. For the Fruit of My Spirit is your clothing - all of who I am!"

Will you allow Him to clothe you and take possession of you today? To change you?

Lord, in the next few days, weeks, months and years - all of my life Lord, continually clothe me in Your Spirit. Change me out of the things that I've been wearing and adorn me in Your garments! I love you Lord and only want to wear what You have designed for me and clothed me in. And I pray also Lord, that those who read this may allow you to clothe them as well - taking off what covers them and putting on all of who You are! In Jesus' Name - Amen!

Writings from Life Through...To A Shout of Joy

The Spirit Within

This flesh we carry around, our bodies, are only tents or "clothing" for our spirits - who we really are. But not only does Christ affect our spirits, but also our mortal bodies. Romans 8:11 NLT says, "The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as He raised Christ from the dead, He will give life to your mortal body by this same Spirit living within you." I don't know about you, but that excites me! Even my body will benefit from the Holy Spirit living in me. It will be strengthened, revitalized, healed, sustained and given life by the same power that raised Christ from the dead! Hallelujah! Not only that, but our attitudes, mindsets, actions, words, everything pertaining to our lives will be empowered. If we will let Him, He will affect our entire being. Yes, you can live life differently than you have been. You're not destined to live a hopeless life filled with despair, regret, fear, stress, burdens, depression or anything else the enemy would want to destroy your with. But God! Because of His great love for you, gives you abundant life, full of His presence, peace, joy, strength, goodness, mercy and grace. Thank you Lord!

See you next week!!

Falling Leaf

In the early hours of this morning I was thinking about the falling leaves of this changing Autumn season. As the weather gets colder and the snow has come early - which by the way, seeing snow on green, gold and red leaves is a breathtaking sight... that's not something that you get to see everyday - beautiful! - the leaves are now falling. It's a very exciting yet somewhat sad event, since as the beauty of the different colors leave the trees and fall to the ground, there becomes bare branches and a vast amout of damp, golden brown, yellow and red to rake up from your yard. And yet without them falling from the trees, there would be no new growth or life in the spring. I remember as a girl we had about 3 acres to rake in the fall. It was a lot of work, but in the middle of the work, we always had a lot of fun jumping into the pile of leaves we'd worked so hard to rake, always to find leaves in our hair and jacket sleves or collars... it was like the leaves were falling from us! This is Josiah having a great time in our leaves!!

It makes me wonder... what needs to fall from my life? Or from yours in order for new growth to occur. Is there discontent that needs to fall off? Or maybe unforgiveness? Does business need to fall off the "tree" of your life? What is in your life that has bound you? (Judges 15:12) Sampson's enemies said they had come to bind him and give him into the hands of the Philistines - Or as Colossians 3:8-9 put it, what about... putting them all aside: (let them fall off your tree), anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive speech from your mouth. Without letting these types of things fall off our hearts, minds, attitudes, and emotions, there will never be room for the new things that God want's to do in our lives. That's not something we can do on our own, but as Samson found out in vs 14, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily so that his bonds dropped from his hands .... The Holy Spirit will cause the bonds to fall and the new things listed in Colossians 3:10-15... true knowledge as ones chosen of God, holy, beloved, putting on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiving each other, love, unity, peace, and being thankful to grow in your life.

The new can not come unless the old falls off - that's the wonder and creation of the seasons! Ask God today, what needs to fall from your life so that He can grow in you the beauty of new life - new leaves!

Writings from Life Through...To A Shout of Joy

Casting off Wrong/Negative Thougts

When I first began this book I called this chapter "Exfoliating Wrong/Negative Thoughts" It's a little comical, but I knew that at least the women readers would understand exactly what I was getting at. Think about your skin for just a moment. It is the dead, dry skin or oil and dirt that clogs your pores and causes blemishes. So you take a product that has little exfoliating beads in it, gently rub them on your skin, rinse it off, and all the dead, dry skin, oil and dirt have been exfoliated - cast off - and your face is clean.

This is the same thing that happens in our minds. Before we come to Christ (and even afterward, throughout our lives) our minds are saturated with worldly thoughts, pictures, experiences, communications, concepts, philosophies and teachings. All we hear or experience is recorded in our minds, and much of that information is "dead and dry" or "oily" full of gunk and dirt for it does not bring life, and can't, because those worldly things are not grounded in Christ. We need to learn how to exfoliate, or cast off, all those things...."

Have a wonderful week - enjoying the beautiful colors - fun of raking leaves - and allowing God to change you! I'd love to hear comments from you about what God may have shown you that needs to fall off. Be watching for our Life in Freedom e-newsletter. They come out every other month unless there's a new event to inform and invite you to .... I'll be starting the give-a-ways in the newsletters from now on.

See you next week

Living in His Joy and Strength!!

My Heart is Rejoicing

This morning I was sitting with the Lord and asked Him to speak to me, to lead me in His word - I so needed to hear from Him! As I sat there waiting, praying, I became desperate to connect with Him. To know that we were speaking together face to face. I have learned through the years that He is always there - even when I don't "feel" Him or "hear" Him, but you know how it is, there are times when tangibly experiencing His presence is so needed! This morning was one of those days for me.

And God knowing my need said to me, "Doreen, it is so good to be with you this morning! My heart is rejoicing, for this is My day, and I rejoice to be with you." Wow! What an amazing thing that we can cause the heart of God - GOD - to rejoice, just because of who we are! And I rejoiced along with Him and my heart was full and a smile even came to my face. It was a wonderful moment enjoying each other. Then I opened Isaiah 62 and began to read. I want to encourage you to read this today - but here are some of the words He spoke to my heart...

Is 62:1 "For Zion's sake (my sake, for your sake...) I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not keep quiet, until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, and her salvation like a torch that is burning." God is not about to be silent or quiet in our lives - and it is for our sake! Because He wants us to be sure of how He feels about us and how He sees us - and He's willing to tell everyone!

62:2b-4 "And you will be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord will designate. You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. It will no longer be said to you, "Forsaken...Desolate", but you will be called, "My delight is in her"...for the Lord delights in you." Are you tired of feeling forsaken...desolate....then rejoice and receive the new name, beauty and delight that the Lord had declared for you - for...

62:5b "And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you."

Writings from

Life Through...To A Shout of Joy

In His Image

No matter what was said to us or done to us by those in our lives or by strangers, there is good news! You and I are NOW new creations in Christ! We no longer have to live with the words spoken about us or over us. The blood of Jesus has taken away every stain, every curse and every sin from our lives! He has even given us a new name... The Lord loves you so much that He gave you a spiritual name - a new name. One that has never been misused, profaned, mocked, talked down about, and never yelled at. It is a name that is pure and righteous, one that is only known by the Holy One. It's a name that has only known love! His love for you is so great that He wants you to have a name without wounds, damage or pain for all eternity.

How exciting it will be to hear our name spoken for the very first time - face to face - by the One who loves us so much! Rejoice!!

I'd love to hear from you (post a comment below) about your hope for a new name or about what the Lord showed you in Isaiah 62. And I encourage you to share this blog with others. This week, I'll be giving away Susie Larson's book, The Uncommon Woman.... So email me at doreen@lifeinfreedom.org or post a comment on my blog to enter to win!

See you next week.

57 Blue - 57 Blue - Hike ..... Touchdown!!

All my life, because of the men in my life, I've been around football and have learned to be a fan. My dad is a Hall of Fame star for Clay High School Eagles, my Alma mater, played for Woody Hayes at Ohio State and was a head coach for many years for the Start Spartans in Toledo, OH. "Hi Dad - Go Bucks!!" This weekend, we actually got to watch, hoot, holler, cheer and groan for some of our favorite teams, the Sooners, (couldn't get the Buckeyes) Broncos & Cowboys, Packers & Vikings, and of course ... the Sartell Sabres - Go Si!! His game is tonight (7th Grade).

As I was thinking about what to write this week, I'm not sure why, but I thought...football. Crazy I know - but there are many things I see in this sport that come along side my desire to follow God and become stronger in my faith. For one, these guys go after that ball with everything they've got! Focused, strong, powerful, fighting...never giving up! All the while, having fun, encouraging their teammates and talking though the tough plays that didn't quite turn out the way they planned - getting back up and doing it again. While we were watching these games and some highlights, we scream with excitement as our team intercepted a pass or took the ball right out of the hands of the opponents and ran for the end zone! If you think about it, this is a great example for our faith. Living with the power and strength needed to go after God with everything we've got! But not only going after God - but also, intercepting the attacks of the enemy - totally taking the ball right out of his hands!

The other night, one of those attacks hit me again ... anxious fear. Jacob, our middle son, was sick and my mother's heart worried over him late at night. I couldn't sleep thinking, wondering, would he be okay as he slept. Fear began to pulsate in my chest and I actually heard in my mind ..."What if he doesn't wake up!" Well, that's enough of that! I know where that thought came from so I got up, prayed, battled, stood in faith - focused, strong, powerful, fighting ... never giving up until that "ball" was taken right out of the hands of Satan and I ran it back into my "end zone" - peace, calm and the assurance that all would be well. The Holy Spirit was right there with me, encouraging me, talking me through that tough night, helping me to pray and believe. I stood there amazed and brought to perfect peace knowing that He intercepted the enemies plan by interceding with me and the enemy was defeated! Awesome!

Writings From Life Through...To A Shout of Joy

The Battle for Joy

James 1:2 "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials;

knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."

Hebrews 2:14 "...so that through death He might render powerless

him who had the power of death, that is, the devil."

Wow, Jesus Christ rendered the devil powerless the moment He died 2000 years ago! Yes, the one who comes to steal everything from us and destroy our health, relationships and finances, the one who will do anything he can to kill us or kill any chance we have for eternal life, he now is powerless in the life of a believer because of the death and resurrection of Jesus! There is nothing he can try to do to us that we cannot overcome or even nullify for "no weapon formed against you shall prosper." He may attempt to attack us but by no means is what he plans to do set in stone so that it must happen. He may form weapons to come after us, but the Word says they will not prosper in our life. No more does the devil have rule and reign over our lives. No more does he have power over us. We are the redeemed... "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." 1 John 4:4.

I'd love to hear from you!! Post a comment on my blog and enter a drawing to win a free autographed Life Through...To A Shout of Joy book.

See you next week!

Rain

I am posting very quickly today (sorry I know I missed Tuesday...) as I'm getting ready to go to Lake Geneva for the Women's Fall Retreat there. I'm very excited, yet a little nervous about my speaking there. I'm to share my Journey Story - just sharing from my life in story form - which is different from when I usually speak, more of a teaching and sermons style. But the Lord is moving me into other areas also, to learn, develop and to grow. And when we grow, do we not need the rain! Yes, we do...I know I do.

As it's raining this morning, I'm reminded about the Living Water that flows in me causing me to be washed, refreshed, renewed and revived. The Holy Spirit "rains" in our lives but often, we have the windows up - the doors shut - rain slickers are on, umbrellas overhead, and we end up not experiencing His gentle or sometime downpour of His water for our lives. Have you ever gone out and played in the rain? Maybe as a young child? I have, and it is one of the most silly, childlike, wonderfully fun I experienced as a girl!! It always made me giggle and "feel" joy.

Run out in the "rain" today... Open your windows in your heart! Open the doors to your spirit! And take off whatever "slicker" or umbrella you cover up with and go out...enjoy the rain of the presence of the Holy Spirit and be refreshed - experience the wonderful, childlike joy with Him!

More next week - Congratulations to Lin for winning the gift card!!

It's new!

It's all so new! Well, to me anyway.
I am finally getting brave enough to blog! So, I'll say "hello" in this blog and just let you know what I am planning on doing in my blog.

I plan to post a blog each Tuesday, (I know it's not Tuesday today, but wanted to get started) and I may be blogging some other times as well when I have something I'd like to share. In the Tuesday blogs, you'll see what's going on in my life, what the Lord is sharing with me, and a short devotional or an excerpt and thoughts from my book, Life Through...To A Shout of Joy, or possibly a new writing I'll be working on. I am starting a new book, a devotional for women, and hope to have that published in 2010. I'm very excited about this! Just yesterday, the Lord gave me the format and plan for the book. I love it when He does that! I believe it will be something new that will touch the lives of women everywhere. More about that later.

I will also be posting free "give a-ways" in my blog on Tuesdays - so watch for them! What fun!! For this post, I'm asking you to become a follower and post a comment. I want to hear from you! For the first 10 people to sign up as a follower before next Tuesday, you will be in a drawing to win a gift card to Starbucks Coffee. Once you've become a follower, email me at doreen@lifeinfreedom.org so I can let you know if you've won!

I would love to have you visit my web site at www.lifeinfreedom.org. There you will find more information about me, the ministry, events and products . For those who have not yet seen or read my book, you can get information about it on my web site along with speaking and teaching topics and audio CDs of my speaking. To order the book go to my web site or to www.amazon.com.

Well, I look forward to hearing from you and beginning this journey of blogging with you. Have a wonderful day and "see" you next Tuesday.