So, I was reading in my Bible last night, and this just jumped right out at me...

"Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past. 
See, I am doing a new thing! 
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? 
I am making a way in the desert 
and streams in the wasteland."
~Isaiah 43:18-19

Now, in context, this passage is God speaking through Isaiah to the people of Israel.  This was during the time that they were being attacked and utterly destroyed by all of the countries around them.  This was, of course, their punishment for turning their backs on God repeatedly, even after all the other times He had delivered them and forgiven them.  Right before this passage, God reminds the people of their deliverance from Egypt, and His destruction of the Egyptian army.  Directly following these two verses God outlines how it is that He is going to deliver the Israelites from the most recent desolation that they found themselves in.  In this passage God is telling His people not to focus on the past any longer, but look to the future, because that is where their deliverance lies.

OK.

Here's the thing.  I read these two verses, and it was like they lit up.  I had to stop and reread them.  Then, when I finished the chapter, I went back and read them again.

What I heard in my heart is that it's time to stop looking back.  Past sins and failures are forgiven and forgotten, or at least they can be, those things have no more hold on the current life.  And even though it is always good to remember past blessings and miracles and answered prayers, I believe what God would have me remember is that just because He answered a prayer one way last time, does not mean that is how He is going to answer the next time. 

Basically, God's saying "Don't put me in a box!"

I love it.

God has been really moving at my church lately.  We've had moves of the Spirit like I have never seen, things that are reminiscent of the "good 'ole days" of the pentecostal movement.  And the people of my church have started getting really hungry, not just for God's visitation, but His habitation within our body.  And personally, I've just been feeling this spiritual hunger elevating, almost to the point of spiritual frustration.  Do you know what I mean?  Like I just can't get enough of God, and when I try to do it my own way it just doesn't work.  I think what God is saying to me is that He wants to do something amazing, and He does want to take up habitation with His church (not just MY church, but the WHOLE church, His body), but we can't look for it to happen in the ways that it always happened.  He wants to move in a way, and at a level, that we've never seen before.

After all, the Bible does say "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit" (Joel 2:28-29).  Back in the Old Testament days, it was unheard of for the Spirit of the Lord to move on more than just the chosen few prophets or judges.  But now that we are under the new covenant, or salvation through Jesus Christ, His Spirit dwells within us. and it seems the only thing keeping us from a new movement of God's Spirit in our personal lives and churches is us.  If only we would just lay all the things of the past down, and actively seek Him for who He is in the here and now.

In order to celebrate Independence Day I thought I would share with you some paintings by one of my favorite American artists.  His name is Mitchell Tolle, his studio is in Berea, KY, and he was my Sunday School teacher when I was in college.  He's an amazing talent, and an incredible man.  These are two of my very favorite paintings of his.  You can see more at his website.

"One Nation Under God"

"God Bless America"

I was looking for a way to express my appreciation for the freedom I have as an American.  I wanted to find the perfect words, but I really struggled with that.  I can't even begin to thank God enough for allowing me the privilege of being born at this time in this country.  While other societies may have their advantages, I can't imagine being any more blessed than being an American right now.  Sure, we're in an economic downslide.

Most people can barely afford to drive to work to earn a paycheck.  

Everything is about politics. 

Everything. 

And the politicians, for the most part, don't seem to be worth much at all.

And what about the war?

The constant threat of terror?

The increasing pressure to be "politically correct, or else"?

But here we can express ourselves in ways that no other people in the history of the world have ever been able to, and will probably ever be able to.

And here I can be a Christian and not live in fear.  I do believe the time is coming when Christianity in America may become a closet religion, but at this very moment, it's not, and I can be loud about it.  And I can fight to keep it that way.  Because that is my right as a citizen.

And I love it.  I thank God for it every day.

Nothing is permanent.  Besides God, and His promises, that is.  Will we always be in an economic funk?  Looking at history, no, probably not.  Look at the stock market, yes, it's down, but it's still doing better than it was 20 years ago, isn't it? 

Will we always be at war?  Well, it would be presumptuous to say that we will never be at war again, there has been battle on earth ever since Cain killed Able (and in the Spirit realm since Satan tried to overthrow God), but our current fight is not an eternal fight.

Will politicians always be corrupt?  Will the government always be so controlling?  Only as long as we the citizens allow them to be.  Again, historically speaking, revolution, in whatever form it takes, always happens when the situation seems the most dire.

So, again, I say THANK GOD I live in America. 

I in no way mean any disrespect to any of my brothers and sisters from other countries, because the freedom God gives us all transcends nationality.  And I know, as I said before, that other governments and other countries and people groups do have certain advantages over we Americans, but I am just so grateful for the liberty that I have, I tend to be a little biased.

But no matter, because as long as our hope is in Christ, we are free indeed, right?

Be blessed!

01: Name two facts about the last person who texted you?
Amy- 1) She's my sister and 2) She's my bff.

02: Its 4 in the morning, and your phone rings...and?
I am dead to the world.  I could sleep through a train hitting my house in the middle of a tornado with a live band in my room.  Ok, maybe not the live band.  But you get the point, right?

03: What is your favorite thing to eat?
Mac & cheese and/or Fiesta Charra

04: Where was your default picture taken?
Actually, it's the cover from the AudioAdrenaline album "Underdogs" with a scripture.

05: Do you watch The Hills?
HECK no.

06: What do you currently hear right now?
Lite 99.9, and a storm.

07: What do you think your brother/sister is doing right now?
I think she had to work at 3.

08: What’s your favorite thing to have on your bed?
Too many pillows and blankets... I'm a fuzzy blanky junkie... and my teddy bear Barry.

09: Who would be the first person to know if you got pregnant?
Since that isn't going to happen until after I'm married, then I guess it would be whoever my husband is, which really depends on God's plan for my future.

10: What's the last thing you ate?
Leftover garlic chicken and fried rice.  And a brownie.  Mmmm.

11: Can you sleep in jeans?
Nope.

12: What is something you just don’t understand?
People who have known the Truth of God's love, mercy and forgiveness, and just flat out walk out on the faith.  I don't understand how you can know that kind of love, and then abandon it.

There are other things, but I can't EVEN get started on that right now. 

13: Where were you on July 4th, 2007?
Justin's house for their annual 4th of July BBQ.  Good times.  :-]

14: Who was the last person you were in a car with?
Amy.  She drove me to work.

15: Is there something on your mind that shouldn't be?
Well, my mind is usually working in overdrive anyway, so there's usually SOMEthing in my head that I could do without.

16: Do you care what others think about you?
Naw.  I mean, I want people to like me, but if they don't, they don't.

17: Do you think you'll be married in 10 years?
I guess it depends on what God has planned for me.

18: Did you have a good day?
So far, it's not been too bad.  I did get up late, but other than that, nothing too eventful.  I just wish 4:30 would come a little sooner. 

19: What do you look forward to in the next 3 months?
Peace Covenant Church officially being part of FGT this Sunday!  Yay!  Other than that, whatever God has in store for me.  I don't know what He has planned, but I am excited to find out.

20: How many people of the opposite sex do you fully trust?
I have a lot of guy friends, I don't even know where to even start.

21: Last person you IMed?
Ugh, I haven't IMed for a while, it was probably Sara or Bill.

22: What was the last thing you laughed really hard about?
Something stupid my dad and I were joking about last night.  Yeah, that's kind of dangerous when we joke about junk.

23: When was the last time you got flowers?
Last September, on my last Wed. night working with TOTM.  It was the most beautiful bouquet of red, bright pink, orange, peach, yellow and white roses.  As Tabby said, it smelled "delicious."

24: Do you plan on moving in the next year?
Eh, it epends on what God's plans are, I'm open to anything.

26: Where did you get the shirt you are wearing?
I've got two on... One from Walmart (BLECCHHH), one from Fashion Bug.

29: Do you like winter?
Yes.  Being cold is WAY better than being hot, and I LOVE snow.

30: Do you regret anything?
The Bible says there is no condemnation for those who put their trust in God.

31: Do you enjoy late night phone conversations?
I generally don't like phone conversations at all, especially late at night.  I'm on the phone all day at work, and I try to avoid it all costs when I am not at work.

32: What are you doing tomorrow?
I have NO idea, actually.

33: Do you like to cuddle?
Not really.

34: Honestly, what's on your mind right now?
Two hours till it's time to go home...

35: Honestly, how many people have you liked in the past year?
I like a lot of people!  And I've made some really amazing friends this past year.  But I think that's not what this question is asking.

36: Do you think a lot of people think bad things about you?
I certainly hope not.

37: Do you think you're approachable?
I strive to be.

38: How late did you stay up last night?
2-ish.  I'm reading this really great book, and I didn't want to put it down.

39: Suppose you see your crush kissing another person...
I guess they aren't the one for me then.  But seriously, I'm 28, I don't have time for crushes.

40: Do you like your school?
SCHOOL'S OUT FOREVER!  But honestly, if I had the funds, I'd go back for my Masters today.  I love to learn.

41: Ever met a real life prostitute?
By the time I met her she wasn't a prostitute anymore, because God had delivered her.  She is one of the most amazing ladies I've ever met.

42: Last person you talked to?
Uh, probably a patient.

43: What mood are you in?
Pretty good, actually. 

44: Are you growing apart from someone close?
I actually just realized last night I have this friend who use to be one of my bestest and onliest friends, but I can't say that anymore, and it makes me really sad.

45: What were you doing at 8 pm?
Last night at 8 I was eating dinner and watching Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?  Last night I was not.

46: What's the last movie you paid to see in a theater?
Kung-fu Panda at the drive-in (we wanted to see Narnia, but it wasn't playing anymore, which was cool, b/c I liked Kung-Fu Panda).  We saw Indiana Jones and Iron Man there a few weeks before that.  The last movie I saw in an actual theater was Prince Caspian.

47: Is there anyone on your friends list you have never met in person?
Lol, only the majority of them!

48: Last three purchases you made?
Garlic chicken yesterday at lunch, donuts and a Mt. Dew voltage yesterday morning, and then I ordered CDs from musichristian.com on Wed (New Kutless and Superchick, and the tobyMac live CD/DVD!! I am SO excited!).

49: Do you have a favorite movie quote?
I have way too many, but I did call someone "dumber than a sack of hammers" earlier (it's from Oh Brother Where Art Thou?), which I know SOUNDS really mean, but you don't kow this person.

50: Plans for tonight?
Friday night is EUCHRE night!!

51: Who has your heart?
Jesus, my family, and my friends (who might as well be family!).

52: What is the last non-alcoholic beverage you had?
I'm currently drinking a nasty ole Dasani water.

53: Did you sing at all today?
No, but that's because I didn't drive myself to work.  I always sing along with the CD in my car, WHEN I'M ALONE.  :-]

55: Are you scared of spiders?
Nah, I just don't like em that much.

56: Are you too forgiving?
Is that possible?  I wanna be like my Jesus, and well, we can't even compete with his level of forgiveness.

57: Who was the last person that made you mad?
Oh, not going there, thanks.

58: What are you currently doing? (Besides this)
Talking.

59: Do you have a bestfriend?
Too many to even talk about.

60: Are you happy with your life?
How could I be unhappy with such an amazing gift as life?

61: When is your birthday?
January 15

62: Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?
Ugh, this is hard, because some evils just seem TOO evil, BUT, Jesus must have thought we all deserved a second chance.  So, I guess the answer is yes.

63: Who was your last missed call from?
Amy, then mom (they were two minutes apart!)

64: What was the first thing you did when you woke up today?
Freaked out because I overslept, took a deep breath, and went on with my day.  I'm actually kind of proud of myself, I didn't let this ruin my day!

65: Do you own a pair of green pants?
I wish! Lol.

66: Are you a vegetarian?
No.  I've seriously considered it though, but I just like fish and chicken and dairy too much.

67: What is in front of you right now?
My moniter and key board.

68: What were you doing at 7:00 AM?
Freaking out, because I was supposed to be up at 6:30.

69: What was the last thing you said aloud?
Uh, yeah, I think it is (someone asked me if the roaring sound overhead was rain).

70: What time is it right now?
THAT depends on the clock.  It's 4:02, 4:05, 4:06 and 4:09 simultaniously.

Have a blessed weekend!