Pieces of my heart

Happy Valentines Day to You!

2012-02-11T12:14:00.000-08:00

Special Delivery

Happy Almost Valentine’s Day!

I hope you know that you are loved.

Sure we love you, but mostly Jesus loves you; a love like no other.

We hope you know Him, we hope you love Him too!

If you come by Wellspring Treasures on Tuesday, February 14^th, we will have a special surprise for you.

We will also have a special request for you… A few weeks ago at our Wellspring Living/SC Board Retreat, one of the topics we discussed was prayer and the role it plays in all that we do. We have come a long way from the time God first whispered to my heart “come join me in this adventure” (not His exact words, but I took the bait) to the place where we long to be.

God has blessed the store financially, He has sent some wonderful volunteers, and many great donors too, wouldn’t you agree? We also received some pretty nice gifts over Christmas and the New Year. We are still missing a few key things before we will be able to open the Wellspring Residential Home.

Since you feel like “family”, we’d love to treat you just like that. We want you to put us on your prayer list (if we aren’t already there). That’s our special request… to pray.

We are taking God at His word from Matthew 7:7 – “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. “

Starting on the 14^th, we will have little reminder cards that you can take home… if you are willing!

We will also add a new “prayer square” in the store, so while you are shopping; you can stop on the square and say a prayer for the house. It will be similar to the one we have now where we stop and pray for you each day.

Much love…

Wellspring Treasure Volunteers & Wellspring Living/SC Board and Staff

We love because he first loved us. I John 4:19

To Know HIM is to Trust HIM

2012-02-08T17:47:00.000-08:00

One of the greatest pleasures I have had in my life is time spent with the girls in my prayer group. A few years ago, God wanted to expand my horizons and introduce me to a new group of friends. I accepted His invitation… kicking and screaming all the way. I really only went because I knew He would be there.

My old prayer group was like a favorite pair of jeans… comfy. A new set of prayer friends meant a whole new pair of jeans. I imagined they would be a little stiff when I first tried them on. They weren’t. They were like old friends, and praying with them gave me the same comfort and feelings of warmth and assurance that comes from joining my heart and hands with my sisters in Christ.

So whether it’s the old or the new, the Spirit of God is the common bond that we so look forward to. One year God allowed the old and the new to come together in what turned out to be my ordination ceremony as director of Wellspring LivingSC. It was so personal; God didn’t leave out one little detail.

Since the beginning of the New Year, I have had the opportunity to be with both groups in prayer. Most recently was spent on what we refer to as The Holy Mountain of the Lord (The Cove) with the New Jeans, which by the way are really comfy now too! We had a grand old time on the Mountain and I think we were really the envy of all the other women there. After all, we were adorned with crowns, sashes and feathers in our hair. That was just what you could see as we walked back and forth to the dining hall.

What they didn’t know is that within the walls of our meeting room we also had our own set of pom-poms that we used during our worship along with various other items for our wave offering. Celebrate His glory on the mountain we did! As we were in worship on Saturday morning, singing along with Travis Cottrell to “In Your presence O God” I got a little caught up in the truth of this song. Please listen if you haven’t already.

It was smack dab in the middle of it that I had to lay the pom-poms down and take a seat.

I had to stop and write down what I knew the Lord was saying to me.

“Susan, you know those areas in your life where you are not trusting Me yet? It’s because you don’t really know Me… because if you really knew Me… there is no way you wouldn’t trust Me.”

You had better believe me; I have delved into His Word and hopefully into His presence since I came down off of the mountain. I have refused not to believe Him in several areas of my life.

One particular area I had worked out in my head… but instead I have decided to trust Him to work it out. I will be still and know that HE IS GOD!

Join me, dive deep heart first into believing Him for every good and perfect gift!

After all I do have a new blue bracelet and isn’t that why I have it in the first place?

Small Beginnings

2012-01-19T03:55:00.000-08:00

A year ago November 20th, we opened the door to Wellspring Treasures Thrift Store hoping and praying that things would work out, that people would donate, that people would shop and that people would volunteer. As you well know, it did work out. The one thing that has happened that we really didn’t anticipate is that we collected a lot of friends along the way. Thanks to God answering all those prayers, the store has been successful in many ways.

You may be familiar with the Scripture that says… “if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto myself…” We have discovered that is true even if it’s a thrift store that is lifting Him up. I would like to share one of our favorite stories of the year…

We had a wedding gown that we were holding for a bride. Se had paid $75 down and still owed $75. She came by and told us that she wasn’t going to be able to get the dress. We weren’t sure if the wedding had been called off or she just couldn’t afford the dress. We all knew what was coming next. A phone call was made the next day and the question asked… “do you still need a wedding dress?” After we heard the answer, we told her that she needed to come by and pick up her dress, that it was here waiting on her - No Charge. We then told her that everything in the store belonged to the Lord and that we knew that if she were in need and He had put us in a position to meet that need, that He would want us to do so. It Didn’t take long for the bride and her mom to get to the store. We handed her the dress and wished her well. No lie, she stood stone still in the same spot for no less than ten minutes… crying. Each time she would try to say a heartfelt thank-you, the tears would flow harder. We told her “no need to thank us, just thank Jesus, it was a gift from Him because He loves you so!” (yes, we were all crying too!)

We had no idea what she knew about Him before that day. We did know that when she was finally able to walk, she had a fresh revelation of His love for her.

There are many more stories that we could share, each volunteer has had a divine appointment and shared tears or a prayer with our shopper friends.

As we look past the store and toward the ministry of Wellspring LivingSC, I would like to share a scripture with you…

“Do not despise these small beginnings,
for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin… “
Zechariah 4:10

Small beginnings… that kind of reminded me of our journey here. It was reassuring to hear God say not to despise those small beginnings. Many might say that not only have we started small, but that we are awfully slow getting out of the gate. It has and is taking longer than I would have thought. Each unveiling of God’s provision has reminded us that He is our supply, He is our portion, He is our everything.

　
He has placed many of you in positions to do good too. It’s our hope that you also respond as He nudges you just as He did all of us that were in the store that day. God puts us right where He needs us, when He needs us, in the place designed for us to do His good works.

An all time favorite Bib le Study would have to be Henry Blackaby’s “Experiencing God”. If you aren’t familiar with it, be sure to check it out, if you are, you should remember this one … “look to see where God is working and join Him there..”

We at Wellspring Living SC hope that you have looked and seen that He is here, working. If you believe in your heart of hearts that to be true, would you consider becoming a partner with Wellspring Living SC to allow us to take the next step?

A one-time gift or a monthly donation will enable us to get one step closer to opening the doors of the residential home.

How exciting to join God in the good work!

Blue.

2011-07-22T10:20:00.000-07:00

Heaven help, because I cannot even remember how long ago it was that I first participated in“Believing God” written by Beth Moore. The first time I did it, it was only available on line (and still is). We didn't even have a computer at home. So when I finished a lesson, I would go to an unnamed location (don't want to incriminate the guilty party here) and listen on line to the video.

It was several years later that Stacy Stokes led a Believing God study at Wellford Baptist. It was one that I loved so much, I did it again.

One assignment we had during the study was to have some sort of blue bracelet on our right arm. The scripture reference for the bracelet comes from Numbers 15:37-39.

The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'Throughout
the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments,
with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so
you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes.

I’m not really sure what my first bracelet looked like. Stacy made my second bracelet. It was a blue cord with some blue beads on it. I bet if I looked hard enough I could find my first one. I know for sure where No. 2 is. I also remember wearing it until it broke off my arm.

So there went my blue bracelets.

In 2007 I met Betty at The Cove. She’s part of the Sista Group that makes a yearly pilgrimage to the Cove in January. It’s a very small and intimate group. The first year that I was invited to go, I barely knew any of the women and have to say I went kicking and screaming. I kept telling the Lord that I had enough girlfriends and didn’t need any new ones. Then I realized that it wasn’t about the girlfriends as much as it was about me and Him… the girlfriends were like the dessert with the main course.

I was impressed that Betty had a blue bracelet on. It had been several years since the study had made it’s rounds, so I knew she had worn it for a while.

Year two, Betty still had on her blue bracelet.

Year three, Betty still had on her blue bracelet.

Year four, I was not able to go to The Cove.

Betty and me year one... snowing!

I did recently see Betty. It was two days before her faith became her sight. Two days before she came face to face with her sweet Savior. Her days of believing were over.
She believed in Him and believed Him until her dying day.

I couldn't see her bracelet when I visited her in the ICU. They had what appeared to be boxing gloves over her hands to keep her from disturbing all the vital accessories that she was now adorned with.

But I knew it was there. They had tried to take it off of her wrist when she was admitted.
It didn't work. She refused. I am thankful.

Betty was an inspiration to anyone who ever met her. She had health problems, but that never quenched her irrepressible spirit. I only, ever spent four weekends with her. But knowing her has changed my life.

So for today and all of my tomorrows I plan on having some sort of blue something or other on my right wrist. Why? Because I was believing God then for some mighty big things. I still am.

How about you.
Did you believe God for something and give up or decide it wasn't coming your way?

Or… did your bracelet just break?

Ray and I were in Charleston when I received the news about Betty. From then on, I knew that before we came home I would have me a new bracelet.

God IS Who He says HE IS

God can do what HE says HE will do

I am who God says I am

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

God's WORD is alive and active in me

I AM BELIEVING GOD

It's not a four letter word...

2011-06-12T18:49:00.000-07:00

We often need to slow down and yield to oncoming traffic.

Mostly we need to slow down and yield to the Holy Spirit.

It is in our own best interest to do both.

Missing the Mark

2011-05-28T13:45:00.000-07:00

How many sermons have we heard about that very subject? Lots would be my guess. And through those we understand that is what sin is... missing the mark.

After reading the book Revolution in World Missions by K.P. Yohannan, I feel that is exactly what we as Christ followers and churches have done. Most of us have read the great commission in Matthew 28.

We often refer to it as the Good News...

In Christianity, the Gospel, good news, Evangelion, or Evangelium (from Koine
Greek euangélion — also translated as "gospel", "glad tidings" and variants) is
the message of Jesus, the Christ (the Messiah), specifically the coming Kingdom
of God, his atoning death on the cross and resurrection, the descent of the Holy
Spirit at Pentecost as "helper" (paraclete), and the resulting promise and hope
of salvation for the faithful.

How many sermons have been spent on anything but the message of the cross?

No wonder Billy Graham is so famous. That's all he does is preach that message. Yes, i know he's an evangelist and that's what they do. So, if Billy's not able to do it anymore, who will take up his mantle and evangelize. According to Matthew, it comes down to you and to me.

So, if you have found yourself reading this post... would you order the free book, read it and allow so many truths speak to your heart?

If you are not moved to action in your own personal life, ask God why.

If you don't find yourself questioning certain things about your own life and subtle lies that have woven themselves into your very being, ask God why.

If you find yourself moved to action, convicted about those subtle lies.... celebrate the work of the Holy Spirit and make some changes.

It is after all the Good News and deserves to be shared!

Simple but true.

2011-02-16T17:50:00.000-08:00

Many years ago… many I say. I was listening to Mickey Bonner preach on a cassette tape. I cannot tell you exactly what his subject was, but I do remember thinking how sad that I would believe the lies of the devil over the promises of my Savior. Now, that my fiends is a sad state to be in. But don’t we most often live our lives that way? Fearful, scared and defeated because we’ve been tricked into believing that we aren’t worthy or because of something we’ve done that surely God wouldn’t do what we need Him to.

You may know that smack dab in the middle of all that has been going on with Wellspring that I also had a daughter getting married. I remember exactly where I was when I prayed a prayer of provision over Jennifer’s (daughter #1 to get married, no, I did not say #1 daughter ) wedding. It was the day Tim was going to propose, and I asked God to allow us to give her a very nice wedding that we could afford. He did. I was working full time and Ray worked more over time that year than ever before, or since.

Fast forward to 2010. I work six days a week. Five volunteering for Wellspring and one paid at Middle Tyger (THANK YOU WANDA!). Ray has a great job that he loves, but it’s less pay and absolutely no overtime.
So I prayed the same prayer again.

For many weeks, there were a lot of tossing and turning during the night because I would wake up trying to figure out how something would be accomplished be it wedding or Wellspring. I’d be so worried, my stomach would be on fire. Every time I would wake up fearful, I would get the sweetest assurance that God had it all covered and would be able to go back to sleep.

During the middle of all of this Milestones Church started an inter-active series on prayer. Week one, we wrote down our greatest need and placed it on the alter. Week one was especially sweet because the focus of the sermon was the first miracle of Christ, which of course took place at a wedding.

Week two, Doc preached and during the service we wrote a letter to the Lord. People around me during this series must have thought I was either most sinful or dying. I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much during a church service.

I had several options going on here… one, I could get a second job. I guess it would have had to have been from midnight on to squeeze it in. Two, we could ask our parents for a loan, or three, we could charge a lot of it. I could work it out. But I knew that would not be me allowing Jesus to answer my prayers. So I decided to be still and hopefully see the salvation of the Lord over this great need in our life.

By the time week three rolled around, I had once again looked at the savings account balance. Gripped by fear and doubt as I was ironing my clothes for church I confessed these words out loud to the Lord… “Jesus, I don’t see how YOU are going to make this work. I just don’t see it happening. But thankfully, I cannot see all that YOU can. Not only do I believe You can do this great thing in our life… I BELIEVE YOU WILL!” Off to church we went. I could not wait to get there to see what our inter-activity would be today. Surely I was not to be disappointed. Hub had a variety of subjects that were written down during week one. When he called one of them out we were asked to stand if God had answered a prayer for us concerning that subject. Then if you had a need in that area, those standing were asked to go and surround those in need and pray. It may have been my favorite church experience to date.

As the week progressed and I looked at our savings balance again, I cried, I jumped up and down and called a friend. I vowed to her that if He did what it looked like He was going to do, I would take my extra-large white worship flag and wave it at the reception as a way of giving credit where credit is due.

Well…. HE DID IT!!

It was the day before the wedding when I realized what the song choice was to be.

I Bless Your Name by Selah. It was these words which I could relate to so well…

In prisoner’s chains with bleeding stripes
Paul and Silas prayed that night
And in their pain began to see
Their chains were loosed and they were free

I bless your name
I bless your name
I give you honor, give you praise
You are the life, the truth, the way
I bless your name

Some midnight hour if you should find
You’re in a prison of your mind
Reach out praise, defy those chains
And they will fall in Jesus’ name

I bless your name
I bless your name
I give you honor, give you praise
You are the life, the truth, the way
I bless your name

I was a little worried about stealing any thunder from the newly wed couple. It turned out they decided to leave the reception a little early. As we all made our way back in after seeing the happy couple off, I grabbed the mike and said since the bride had left the building it was now my party and I would like to thank the Lord for making it all possible. Not exactly the speech I had planned, but I think they all understood when the flag unfurled. Jennifer said one time while this was going on Jarrad (our wedding photographer) was laying on the floor to get the best shot of the flag. Thank goodness he has known me all his life, so he may have not been too surprised.

By the next afternoon Sarah called to inquire about this grand display… “what are you talking about?” Her friends that were still there had posted a few pics on Facebook. Well, I guess that would be better than seeing them pop up without warning on the wedding photo site!

Mickey Bonner, I think I got it this time. As my friend Samuel said…
“thus far God has helped us”.

Just Say IT For Pete's Sake!

2011-02-14T15:45:00.001-08:00

We started a new series at Milestones yesterday called "SAY". It's a three week series about the power our words hold. Some for good, some for bad.

Before the service started we were treated to Jeremy Haines' rendition of "Say" by John Mayer.

Nice.

Our pastor's wife, Brenda, started week one with a very transparent message about a missed opportunity or two to say the right thing. You can see for yourself. (click on Milestones above) But be fore-warned, grab a Kleenex or two.

I could really appreciate all of what Brenda spoke about, especially after watching Secretariat.

We watched it Saturday night, before "SAY" started the following day.

As Ray and I watched the movie, we were at the part where you could tell that Jack Tweedy finally understood and appreciated all that his wife, Penny, had been working toward. I guess you could say "he saw the light". It was right about that time that someone did see the light. Not on the screen but in real life. Mine. Ray said, "you know, I don't think I've ever told you how proud I am of you and all that you are doing and have done over the past few years."

It was right about then that I couldn't tell you what was happening with the Tweedy's and the Chennery's. All I knew was that my man had just hit a home run! I was well aware of how he's not real fond of other things associated with starting a ministry and going here and there to speak. But proud of me... I had no idea.

So when Brenda spoke about not with holding good that others need to hear... AMEN!

Is there someone in your life that you need to say a good word to?

Well, for Pete's sake... SAY IT!
It will make their day, and you might be surprised how good it will make you feel too!

State of the Way Things Are Address

2011-01-14T04:37:00.000-08:00

Here it is another new year, another chance to look back and reflect on any progress since this time last year. Great strides were made! Great strides indeed. On one hand.

On the other... a reminder of how far we still have to go.

Nothing has reminded me of that or shown me the urgency to do this thing like recent events.

Let's go back to the summer of 2010. You may remember that we had a fun time with the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Quilt". The ladies from the Lyman Quilters donated a beautiful quilt that traveled to various churches throughout the summer with the drawing held during the Beth Moore Simulcast in the fall.

The name was drawn and I knew without a shadow of doubt that God had chosen our winner. We had our pictures taken together and I had every intention of posting the picture and the name of our winner on our blog and website. It was right in the middle of working on the store and it was one of those things I never got around to.

This was what our winner shared in an email...
I would like you to know that I have been praying for awhile for the Lord to lead me in the right direction of the ministry that I would be the most effective in leading people to Christ. I know, without a doubt, that He spoke to me yesterday. I prayed throughout the day yesterday as well as today, and I know this is the direction he is leading me in . I know if it wasn't for the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ picking me up out of the mire and muck I was in for years of my life I would probably be dead. I am a recovering drug addict. I come from a past of sexual abuse, and I was on drugs for years as well as prostitution. I had one thing going for me... I had an aunt who was a praying Christian. God heard her prayers and showed me mercy. I have been through it all, I have even done prison time, but God delivered me from a life of bondage and sin. I have quiet a story to tell and God wants me to use my testimony to reach others. I am grateful that I am not another statistic today. All the glory goes to God .

Even though I didn't post her name or picture anywhere, I remembered her name and had her name and number om my volunteer "to call" list. While sitting here sipping coffee early one morning, I heard her name and then saw her face on the news.

If only I had taken time to call her... if only the Wellspring residential home was already here...

...if only
Praise be to the Lord of all Creation who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all my missed opportunities, my too busy schedule and what seem to me to be insurmountable odds on many fronts. Hallelujah You can see what I cannot!

Thank you for participating in our survey

2010-12-02T18:36:00.001-08:00

2010-12-02T08:41:00.000-08:00

Wellspring Treasures
1735 John B. White Sr. Blvd (Reidville Rd)
Spartanburg

3 day purse sale - nothing over $12
50% off all men's clothing
50% off all holiday wear

Mon-Fri 10-5
Saturday 10-3
Sunday - Worshiping Jesus!

A day just for me!

2010-11-13T15:59:00.000-08:00

I had every intention of sending out another email all-call for Saturday volunteers to get us over this last big hump before we open November 20th (if all goes well). Seemed I never got around to it.

If you know me personally, you know that I am not only the director of a not-for-profit turned shop girl, painter, cleaner, loader, un-loader... I am also the mother of the bride with a January first wedding date. Which means I have also been working on the invitations ( a three part printing process) and almost have them ready to mail. According to Emily and Martha, they should have been mailed out no later than YESTERDAY! Oh well. Being the procrastinator I have always been, I hope to have them at the post office first thing Monday morning.

But this post isn't about the store or the wedding or me. It's about the plans of a gracious God that has all the details worked out for a "better than I could have imagined" day.

This morning as I turned and looked at the clock, I knew that I was probably going to be doing a solo on this particular day. But as I thought about the many days that have been spent at the Wellspring Treasures shop, I really got excited when I realized that being alone meant I could work a little while and scoot out earlier than I would if there were others there.

I think it was a little after ten when I heard a knock on the window. As I looked, I saw the face of a young woman that had stopped by earlier in the week to ask if she could volunteer. I'll be honest and say my first thought was there goes the early departure. As she came in and started helping tidy up, sort and sort some more, I was glad she had come to help.

As we talked and got to know each other, I was also glad that it was just the two of us working. I'll call her Brittany, after all, as I was saying a blessing over our lunch that is what I did call her!

Brittany lives in a group home nearby. She is a senior with the hopes of opening her own group home for girls just like her after college. She has learned first hand about all the things that she would do better, having walked that mile in those shoes. She admitted that if she had it to do all over again, she would do it differently.

We had a good time together. Or at least I had a good time with her. She hugged me before she left. I was thankful , so thankful that I got to share the day with her. I realized that maybe that was part of why I never got around to sending that email.

Sign of the Times

2010-10-24T17:48:00.001-07:00

If you pass by right now, you'll see a sign that says Palmetto Style Salon.
But in the days ahead this will be our sign.

We have all the prep work behind us, and have started sorting and placing the good stuff. And Ray thought all those hours watching HGTV were a waste! Maybe not. It is neat to see it all come together.

Now comes the second and most important part of the whole thing.... YOU!

If you have things (gently used women's, men's and children's clothing, shoes, purses, toys, furniture, house hold items, books...) that you would like to donate, please bring your donation by Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday between 9-5. We are not excepting appliances, electronics, computers or mattresses. If you have an item you are not sure about, please call before you come (809-7457).

We are also going to have a "new" section of handmade items. If you are have a talent for that, we would be honored to have some of your handy-work too. We will give you an opportunity to tithe your talent!

We are not just looking for your old stuff or your new stuff... we are also looking for those of you who could give a few hours here and there to help staff the store. If you have a little extra time on your hands, we may be just what you are looking for. There are many things to help do now and when we open as well.

Just a reminder that the Wellspring Treasures Store is not opening to make all of us a little wealthier. We are all working as volunteers, just as we are asking you to do. The proceeds will go toward the Wellspring residential home. Through the store, we will be able to hire life-on-life coaches who will live in the home and guide the women through their healing process.

Thanks to you all who have already donated your time, talents and treasures!

You are all a treasure to me!

2010-10-22T03:54:00.000-07:00

Yay for the Movers and Shakers!

Dean, Ray, Larry, Phillip

Chase, Sarah, Jami, Cindy & Neal

The check-out counter! Got scratched during the move,

so it HAD to be touched up!

After

The before!

Just in case...

2010-10-21T18:05:00.000-07:00

...you think all i have been doing lately is painting and such - wrong!

This week has been busy, but a sweet reminder that all the work in the store is not really about the store at all. It is after all, just a means to an end. The end result is that it will allow us the opportunity to find, open, staff and facilitate the Wellspring HOME!

And that is what we are all about.

This week I had the opportunity to be part of a first in Greenville. FEM Fair was held at one of the city's community centers. We had representatives from several area agencies. The ladies who attended were able to get free HIV & STD testing. They each also received a well stocked gift bag and some great entertainment and food too.

Wellspring was the only faith based agency/ministry on site. That morning I was upstairs looking for who-knows-what, when it occurred to me that I should take some Bibles and devotion books to give away. Each participant was able to choose one item of their choice. It was sweet to see them trying to decide which one they wanted the most. The first things to go were the Life Recovery Bibles. Several ladies kept circling by to determine if they had made the right choice.

It gave me a chance to listen to the stories they were willing to share about their struggles and their past. The best part, it gave me a chance to hug, love and encourage them.

Like that wasn't enough my new friend and mentee invited me to accompany her to Pelham First Baptist Church to speak to their WMU. As it turned out, the pastor decided that the subject matter needed to be heard by the entire congregation, so the guys were able to come in too. Our blessing came at the end when the congregation circled around us and prayed over us.

A great encouragement to us both!

I am so thankful that in the midst of all the hustle and hurry that has consumed me over the past few weeks that God pulled me aside to remind me of what we (HE) is up to.

Experiencing God taught me many things, first and foremost - look and see where God is working and join Him there. It was also a great reminder that God provides not before you need it, but at the exact moment that you do. HE has faithfully provided in an Ephesians 3:20 way time after time in my Wellspring life as well as my personal life (1-1-11 wedding in the making!).

As I also learned in Believing God...

God is Who He says He is and GOD CAN DO WHAT HE SAYS HE CAN DO!!!!

Lead on O KING ETERNAL!

The Breakfast Club

2010-10-18T04:35:00.000-07:00

YAY TEAM! We did it! We did not quiet make the $2000 goal, but we did reach our project goal. Our hope was to raise enough money for a specific project. We could actually buy two if we needed to, but since we don't, we have enough to purchase many more needed items to get the store up and running.

Sincere thanks to all who sold tickets, who purchased tickets, who came to eat or serve. Added thanks to those who did any of the above and THEN made a donation to the tip jar too!

FATZ CAFE on Pottery Road in Spartanburg could not have been a better host. Chris Anderson and his staff made us feel right at home.

A shout out to our kitchen and wait-staff/hosts and hostesses... pictured above are (front row) Donna Dawkins, Kim Williams, HG Hall, Christine Hall, Jill Green, Dana Stout, (back row) Cindy Denhard, Larry Armstrong, D'Anunzio Smith, Marie Brewer, Jami Crisman, Susan High & Doug Williams. We had other volunteers that are not pictures that we would also like to give a shout out to... Cindy Cantrell, Jodi Burnett, Sonia Burnett and Mary (Cindy's sister - whose name I'll post later!)

Most special thanks to Christ Jesus for being a MAN of HIS WORD. During our Broken to Beautiful Conference in October 2007 just a block away from Fazt at the Spartanburg Expo Center, these were the words I received during our communion... "I want to provide for your needs. I want you to trust me enough to say with confidence, "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." (Psalm 23:1)

Well, I have to tell you He has been doing that right and left like crazy lately. Which leads me to believe that Wellspring Living SC is an idea (plan from above) whose time has come! It so feels like we are experiencing the "YES" of God right now!

And can I say... it feels great!

Be our guest...

2010-10-13T17:58:00.000-07:00

We hope you will remember to come out an be our guest this Saturday morning...
October 16th from 7:30 - 10:30

Pancake Breakfast
FATZ on Pottery Road (Waccamaw)

We would love to have you as our true guest, but it is of course Dutch Treat!

See you there!

Can you say BIG GIRL?

2010-10-10T19:20:00.000-07:00

That's what we hope to be by this time next week. We are hosting our first big-time fund raiser.
Our only other fund raiser to date was the purse sale last year. We made a somewhere over $300. The neat thing was we needed $310 to pay for our 501(c)3 application. So just when we needed it, God provided.

So, next weekend we will be hosting a PANCAKE BREAKFAST with the opportunity to make $2000. I know in the world of fund raising, that is still small potatoes. But to us right now, that's big.

Sounds easy enough. But it won't happen if we don't sell all of our tickets. Our goal is 500... yes, that's a lot, but not if YOU would buy a ticket.

Who doesn't love a great pancake, with lots of butter and syrup, served up hot with sausage links and fruit. Topped off with your favorite beverage.
Everything is included for just $7.

You can finish up just in time to make it down to Clemson, or head on up I26 and spend a great day in the mountains.

As you know, we have been working hard to get the Wellspring Treasures re-sale store up and running. This opportunity could not come at a better time to help with some of the expenses that come along with this undertaking.

Hoping you will come join us as we celebrate like a BIG GIRL!

FATZ CAFE
6750 Pottery Road
Spartanburg, SC
574-4814

Almost... almost... almost there!

2010-10-09T14:13:00.000-07:00

The pictures at the beginning are the most recent.

Finished the floors this morning and now the great move in and set up begins!

Scripture to be added around the mirror.

Dressing room door panels.

Donated chairs that will be used around the store, ten in all!

Decoupaged desk that will be used in the wedding gown dressing area.

Floor before and after.

The WORD wall is almost complete.

Display pieces.

The back room, it's much fuller now! This was taken over a week ago.

Cindy is always a real trooper and a real joy!

The office area. I installed the wireless printer today and thought it was going to take as long as the whole paint job. An ssid... really?

A fresh white and silver door makes all the difference.

Please continue to pray for us as we take this huge step of faith. As the song says...

"all I have needed, Thy hand has provided, great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me.

So much so that I am thinking an Ebenezer stone will have a special place in the store.

If you have things you would like to donate, or if you would like to volunteer, please let us know.

The week in review

2010-09-07T16:55:00.001-07:00

"Don't Cry Shop Girl"

2010-09-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

>>>

...

If you are like me, you know exactly who said that, who he said it to and you know where they were standing. I have watched You've Got Mail so many times that I could probably recite it line by line. It's a movie we always watch every time we flip the channel and see that it's own. I guess that's why most of my family can recite it too!

Too many times to count when one of them knows I am about to cry over something, that's what I always hear... "don't cry shop girl".

Never in a million years did I ever think that I would be exactly that - a shop girl!

I know it won't be a permanent position, but for the time being shop girl it is.

Wellspring has officially moved into the Reidville Circle Center, right down the side walk from Ice Cream and Coffee Beans. How great is that? I hadn't been there two hours today when I made my way for my first gallon of strawberry tea! We will be right next door to B & D Family Jewelers, in the old Emblad's Hallmark Store. Right now the sign over our door is from the most recent business, Palmetto Style Salon. We'll take care of that in the very near future.

The name of the store will be Wellspring Treasures. That's representative of the women that will come through the doors of the Wellspring Home. They've been tossed aside and some think they have lost their worth. But thanks be to God, through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on the cross... they are indeed His treasure. Just like you and me!

The pics above are the before pics. It's really cute in a lot of ways. But it doesn't have that Wellspring feel yet. But is will... soon! We had a sweet friend donate the paint today. We also have some volunteer painters ready to get started.

Maybe you have some time, some muscle, or a highly creative gene that you'd like to share!

Or - maybe you have been needing to do that long over-due spring cleaning. We will be accepting donations in a few weeks.

We would love to have you join the hands on fun. Call me, or if you have already gotten in touch, I will be back in touch with you in the next few days. If you're out and about and want to stop in, call to see if we're in. You can call 809-7457.

It is an exciting time, and it is so very sweet. But we all know that this will pale in comparison to opening the Wellspring Home and loving on that first woman as she walks through the door. To steal another line from another movie... a diamond in the rough!

Remember that one from Aladdin?

So for now... no tears for this shop girl!

Here's Y(OUR) Sign

2010-08-11T05:15:00.000-07:00

Which of the pictures best describe this weeks events?
Circle the correct answer below:

A. A sign of the times

B. A sign of things to come

C. A sign that our time has come

D. All of the above

Over the past few weeks I have been ordering some free items from Vistaprint. This week I resolved not to open a single email from them, because "free" can become quite addictive.

I did think that since we knew we would have a store at some point a few banners would be a great thing to have on hand. At some point soon that is!

We received a call from Spencer Hines yesterday saying the owners of the building had accepted our offer and wanted to know when we wanted to start our lease.

Let me catch my breath.... let me think about that for about a second...

How about September 1st, 2010?

September 1, 2010 it is!

So it seems D is the right answer... All of the above!

The location will be revealed in the next few weeks after all the motions have been made, seconded, all the papers are signed and all the dancing and praising done!

We will be opening the store with quite the collection of new wedding dresses, shoes and other formal attire. As room allows we also plan to have our re-sale section. Who knows what God has in store for us?

If you would be interested in becoming a Wellspring volunteer to help get
this part of the vision started, please email me at susan@wellspringsc.org and I'll be in touch to see how and when we can put you to work.
Speaking of work, one day last week when I picked up my Bible for my daily reading, I opened it to Psalms 90. I have been reading a Psalm a day for a while and this was my designated spot for the day. It has become my daily prayer since then.

Psalm 90:17... May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish
the work of our hand for us- yes, establish the work of our hands.

Establish HE IS!

Thank YOU Lord for Your Favor and Your hand of blessing.

Thank You for the call,

Thank YOU for the Vision,

Thank YOU for being YOU !

Imagine that!

2010-07-06T06:19:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Ray began to read an ad in the classified section of the Herald Journal. It went like this... Store Equipment - 10 clothing racks, 4 cloth covered mannequins... $360.

First let me say that anytime Ray speaks up about anything that I thought he was oblivious to, I listen very intently. It so happened (God is sovereign) our board meeting was that very night. I took the paper to the meeting and presented it asking for permission to visit the store and make the purchase if the equipment was in good condition. Not being one that shops a lot in downtown Spartanburg, I wasn't familiar with many of the stores.

As it turned out, it was Events on Main, a bridal and specialty shop that was closing after 10 years. As I walked into the store, I was almost moved to tears that God would provide such a humble start to Wellspring Treasures (resale store). The racks were in great condition and very sturdy. Several of them will be used in the back of the store as donations come in, many others will be used in the front for special displays. Instead of four mannequins, we ended up with seven. One was sitting on the front of Ray's boat when I came home from Maryland!

.
.

I did have to put a shirt on her!

When I went back after my initial visit, I took a packet of Wellspring Living SC information and gave to my new friend Betty. I was hoping that this might lead to a donation. But that was not the case. As each new item was added, we went from $360 to closer to $500. I was a little disappointed that they didn't want to donate any of the equipment.

They did however donate a few dresses, a couple of boxes of shoes, a few veils and several pairs of gloves. Did I say several? Oh, what I meant to say was there are two rooms in my house that you can barely get into! We didn't count as we brought them in. I picked up one load Monday afternoon. Sarah picked up two on Tuesday and Chase picked up the last one!

The best estimate I can come up with is ...

80-100 cocktail, mother of the bride/groom/party dresses

100 wedding dress (give or take a few)

80'ish pairs of shoes

one fax machine

two ironing boards

a box of gloves

I heard there were veils, but I cannot see them in the sea of satin, pearls and lace!

Other than the fax machine and two ironing boards, everything is brand spanking new!

So, imagine that... I was sad because I didn't get almost $500 worth of store equipment as a donation. Thank You Lord, You had a better plan. Most of the shoes sale for $90, one of the dresses had a "suggested retail price" of $2600.

I cannot wait to see the actual value of the donation.

It is, in fact, an Ephesians 3:20 blessing.
.
Above and beyond, immeasurably more than what I was asking for!

And before I forget, as I walked in and out of the store, there was a beautiful black dress that I could not keep my eyes off of. I knew it was on sale and wondered who I might know that could wear it. As it turns out... me! It is what I'll be wearing to Sarah's wedding. I took Sarah back with me one day to get her opinion, after all... it is not your typical mother-of-the-bride dress.

As I was trying it on, Penni, the owner of Events on Main walked by. She commented on how that was one of her favorites in the store. As we talked and she realized I was the one buying the store equipment, she stopped what she was doing and began telling me that her husband is a doctor and she had recently seen the Spartanburg Regional Foundation's site and saw where Wellspring was granted funding. She had googled and was going to call Atlanta until Betty and Vickie told her that we were right here.

She gave dresses to us as well as a couple of other agencies in Spartanburg.

So... to Penni, Betty and Vickie, thank you for all the ways you have helped and blessed us as off we go into the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace and provision!

Too Funny

2010-06-04T13:31:00.000-07:00

If I had only known how this story would have turned out, I would have taken pictures along the way. I bet no one saw this coming.

So.... one of our neighbors has a hedge that is some sort of spruce (maybe). Over the years since Ray and I have lived in the neighborhood, there has at times been some sort of Dr. Seuss tree growing out of the middle of the hedge nearest the road. When we first noticed it, it was just a tender shoot of a branch with a couple of leaves right above the top of the shrub.

The keeper of the hedge would periodically prune it, which I can only guess meant he just trimmed it off even with the shrub. I guess for at least the last year it has been allowed to grow.

Ray and I have had more than one discussion on the subject as we would pass by wondering how this would end.

It must have been about two weeks ago when I first saw the answer to all of our pondering. It was a good thing I was driving the neighborhood speed limit, because I might have wrecked. I did speed up a little after I saw it. I couldn't get home fast enough to see if Ray had noticed it too.

Of course he had. How could he not?

I would think that it started out a lot like this little oak, that is one of about a hundred that we have already pulled up this spring.

And I guess they just decided it was easier to give in than to keep pruning away.
This is what they have ended up with...

You can see the tree at the mailboxes. The trunk isn't that big yet, but look at all the branches and leaves. But that's not the only thing...

They have completely taken out the hedge that the tree was growing in. Which led to pruning all the hedges with a brand new summer doo. Added a truck load or two of mulch, pavers, a flower bed, and a flower pot.

So that's what sparked this thought. It reminded me of a sermon that I heard Alistaire Walker preach a long time ago. Pruning doesn't always get it, sometimes you have to get to the very root of a situation. Aren't we too many times like my neighbors? We go to extraordinary lengths to accommodate our sin, when if we would go to the root of our problems and address them there, they would be over and done.

If you read my blog a while back about that big old ugly sin in my life, you'll remember I thought it was all about me needing the money more than God. Truth was, the root of the problem didn't have anything to do with the money. It was an issue of pride.

Moral of this story.... if you have something growing in your yard and you don't think you want it there - better pull it out by the roots today so you won't be paying out the wazoo to make it look all pretty and nice, like it was what you had in mind all along.
And, if you have a little habit that has not taken deep roots, better yank that too. That kind of paying out the wazoo is twice as hard as the other.

Happy weeding, pruning and the like!

And, if B & J read this, please don't be offended. The finished product looks great. It's just been a curious thing to watch as we drive by each day.

Mountains, Dancing, Donkeys and Such

2010-05-24T16:31:00.000-07:00

Notice that was dancing - comma - donkeys... not dancing donkeys!

You may be familiar with the New Testament Scripture in which we are told… “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Today as I sat in the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Outpatient Cafeteria area, I realized that the mountain that needed to be moved was not necessarily the mountain in front of me, rather it was the mountain in me. When God first called me to this ministry I felt so unskilled and equipped for the call. The easy thing would have been to laugh and say un-uh God, I can’t do that. Being one who loves a challenge and an opportunity to walk hand-in-hand with the Lord, I said “yes”. The truth is, I wasn’t skilled or equipped, but God didn’t let me stay that way.

What He began doing in me has been built one step at a time.

Sharing the story one person then one church at a time.

I will be brutally honest here and let you know that when God called me, one of the biggest hang ups I had was the fact that I don’t have a college degree. I did get a ticket at USCU once for parking in the wrong spot, and I did raise a college graduate. A simple high school diploma is the only thing I have to offer. I felt like it wasn’t enough. But there we (Madonna and I) sat today; blown away by the skill and equipping given through the grace of an able God. We were there to receive a check awarded to Wellspring Living SC from the kind and generous folks from the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation. As I looked around the room it was very humbling to see our “peers” from other places around Spartanburg and the Foundation Board as well. I realized God had used this plain ol’ girl from Greer and given her an up-close and personal look from the top of the mountain. I once heard Beth Moore say…”if God doesn’t move the mountain, then after you’ve climbed to the top of it… dance”.

Thank You Father for the day You asked me to join you in this mountain climb of dance that we call life, and we call ministry. My motto (stolen from Allen Cantrell) is “any old donkey will do”. And thank you for asking this donkey for the dance of a life-time.

It was a grand view indeed. It is a grand dance indeed. Proof once again that God doesn’t always call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

Soooooo…. If you have heard a voice call out to you and say… “would you care to dance?” So what if you have two left feet and no rhythm. He has all the rhythm that you need and will lead and guide every step of the way.

Wellspring Living SC received funding from the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation that will be used for fitness equipment, art therapy supplies and contractual counseling services as we serve women through the Wellspring Living SC Home.
We are so excited that the Foundation Board felt that we were at a place worthy of their trust and expertise. We are honored and thankful for their funding and pray that this is the first of many opportunities to come.

Oh listen, I think the music is about to start. Gotta’ go dust off the dancing/mountain climbing shoes!

Coming Out & Going Public

2010-05-22T12:52:00.001-07:00

One of the terms Hub (pastor at Milestones) uses when people cross the line of faith is to encourage them to go public with their decision. One way they can do that is through baptism.
Well I have already been baptized twice, and desperately wanted to be a third time while I was in Ecuador a few years back. The waters proved to be too deep, too fast and way too cold for that to come to pass. I probably would have been swept down stream and could at this point still be MIA.

I have known for a few weeks now that I was about to experience a milestone in my personal life, as Milestones Church experiences one of its own. On Sunday, May 23rd, I will be one of twenty-something people being ordained as the first group of deacons in our church.

A little history... Milestones (formerly known as Spartanburg Community Church) has existed for thirteen years and from the beginning has been lead by a group of Elders. That is one of the most refreshing things I have encountered in our time there. No committees, no voting.... no issues! The Elders are the leaders and decision making group. This soon to be ordained group are simply servants to the families that are assigned to us. We won't have to worry about policies, procedures, hiring, firing or anything of the sort. I think there are nine women, we are so excited to be serving the single moms and single women in our congregation.

I loved it when Hub preached about the qualifications and talked about how the elders had reached this decision, and shared about this brave step of having women deacons. We will not be known as deaconesses, because that is not a term you see in scripture. He also gave the example of Phoebe from Romans 16:1. She was cited as being a servant of the church.

I have been sort of quiet about telling people about this next step. Mostly because I did not want to seem like I was bragging. Partly because I know that some churches have such strong opinions about deacons in general. Some don't allow divorced men, others do. Some churches already have women deacons, some have women pastors.

One night at one of Sarah's ballgames, Gretchen just out of the blue said "have I told you the subject of my next paper?" She had not, and when she said it was on Women Deacons... I almost passed out. I then asked her if I had shared anything about women deacons lately. I had not. As I shared with her all that I shared above, she concurred that what our Elders had concluded was right in line with her research on the subject.
Isn't that just like Jesus to give sweet confirmation in a time and place to be least expected?

So, on the eve of my ordination, I have decided that I too would go public. I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to know and serve the six women and their families that have been assigned to me.

Please be in prayer for me and my counterparts as we gather tomorrow evening for a milestone at Milestones!

P.S. . . . I could not resist the song! Hope it doesn't offend~

A Curious Sight

2010-04-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

Many days while traveling to and from various destinations, I pass by this tree going and coming. My favorite view is approaching it from the bottom of the hill and not this view.
As you drive toward it, it stands a lone against the sky. In the winter you only notice that the one trunk is divided because both are bare and look just alike.

In the spring it's a very different story. As you can see, one side is green and full of life while the other side remains barren and lifeless.

Many days as I drive by, I wonder how similar my heart and my life are to this tree.

Half dead, half alive.

A couple of scriptures swirl around in my head regarding the the state of the tree... and my life.

Revelation 3:15-17... I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other! So, Because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say I am rich and have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

James 3:11... Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

How thankful I am (we are) for grace and mercy that although we may be struggling within, God sees His children through the Blood of Christ and therefore... we are whole.

Thrills, Chills and Spills

2010-04-11T15:25:00.000-07:00

This weekend I finally took time to refill my pots with new soil and some fresh flowers. For the first time I made sure I followed the “Thriller, chiller and spiller” formula for the perfect pot. It really sounds more like the description to a horror movie than suggestions for a beautiful summer showing.

It’s a method to select your flower and foliage plants for those dramatic flower-filled planters, pots, and containers that we’ve been seeing in catalogues and magazines all winter

“Thrillers are the tall plants that serve as the focal point or accent plant for the container.”

“Chillers are the flowers or foliage plants that fill our the top of the pot or planter.“

“Spillers are the trailing plants that carry the color theme down over the edge of the pot or container. Spillers are generally not visually strong plants—rather, they are like the extras in the movies. They are necessary to make the movie (or the flower planter) complete, but they are not the stars. “

This week God has really been showing out. In one of my prayer times this week feeling so awed by His sweetness this thought crossed my mind...

God the Father, Jesus the Son, along with the Holy Spirit are the thrillers and the chillers. Nothing else on earth delights a soul as does His presence. I know He has thrilled you, taken your breath or moved you to tears when you know He has called your name. He dresses you with chills as you speak of His work

We are the spillers when He have a fresh encounter with Him. We like Paul, are spilled out like a drink offering. Just like the plant “spillers” we are necessary in God’s plans and schemes, but we are not the stars.

To God be the Glory… great things He is doing. May we always feel the thrills and chills as we draw near. And may we always spill out from the overflow of His grace and work in our lives.

Happy planting!

Short and SWEET!

2010-04-08T12:05:00.000-07:00

Not to presume that I would know what God will say or do in any given situation... but it sure does feel good when you are looking at a building that could possibly be given to Wellspring Living SC and here this come out of the donors mouth...

"It just feels like God is waving a big flag over these buildings that says - Jesus is Lord".

My prayer before the meeting... "regardless of the outcome Lord, may You be glorified."

Can I just say He answered my prayer because He was indeed getting some glory when those words were uttered. I should have gone prepared and had the flag with me!

How can you not believe in the providence of such a God that would delight your soul that way?

You know that you know that you know...

2010-03-18T13:22:00.000-07:00

A P.S. has been added as a follow up

Several weeks ago Christine called and invited me to participate in the Prayer Walk / Rally at the Bi-Lo Center on Thursday before Just Give Me Jesus starts on Friday. She said bring your big white flag. My response was this... "let me pray about it... count me in!" Because if there is one thing I love it is praising Jesus and I love it even more when the flag is part of the praise.
My neighbors are probably glad I'm taking it out of the back yard on a field trip. Come to think of it, I bet Ray is too!

I guess it was one day last week I received an email blast from the JGMJ mailers and it too contained an invitation to attend the Thursday event. OMG! That meant that instead of a small intimate group of friends invited by Christine, there could possibly be thousands of women there.
My response was this... "well I'll go and pray and take a fresh bottle of oil." When I closed the email something caught my eye. It said in the subject line "BANNER Prayer Walk". Upon opening the email - there was nothing in the title about any banner. I knew it was referring to the title caption box that held content that I wasn't seeing. But there was that word BANNER.

So my response was this... "Lord. I will gladly wave my banner for you in front of who ever shows up. And if they think I'm crazy, then they will know I am crazy for you!"

And tonight is the night! I am so excited I can hardly wait. I have a fully loaded and charged IPod. I know it will be one of the sweetest dates I have been on in a long time. My beloved is waiting there for me and I am moved to tears.

There is however another side to this story. Many of you have heard of or participated in Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby. One thing that you for sure walk away with from that study is "go to where you see God working and join Him there". Well it is more and more evident that God is working in the city of Greenville. So much so that the Greenville County Sheriff's Department is sending a group to Wellspring Living Atlanta on a fact finding mission. There are groups of women in Greenville ministering to the women who are working on the streets.

My oh my!

I learned years ago before a large white flag ever found its way into my hands that the flag is carried in front of the army as they go into battle. So Lord it is my honor to wave that flag and let the enemy know that YOU have claimed Greenville as your own. That what You are doing there is bigger than JGMJ. YOU and YOU alone know what all this represents.

YOU do Your thing Lord as only YOU can. And we your girlfriends who will be there tonight in answer to your call Love YOU and anticipate what YOU have prepared for us!

P.S. (Positively Sweet!)

When we arrived at the BLC for our prayer walk we were given instructions as to where we could and could not go. Of course where God had specifically instructed me to go was off limits. Center stage because of the work that was still underway.

That was fine for a while. I was quiet content to wave my banner at the main entrance and walk it through each section of seats and the main concourse. I guess I should say that I was the only one privy to the music that accompanied the movements of the flag/banner. I did get a few questioning looks here and there. But then as I finished the processional through the building Travis Cottrell started singing Jesus Saves. It seemed like I had no other course of action but to break the law! Thankfully my friend Ruth McWhite was very near the stage with some of the other main organizers of the event. "Ruth, Jesus needs me to step down there for just a bit." I knew what her reply would be... "Darling, you go right ahead".

I have never had the privilege of pouring out my worship as I did Thursday night. Ann's podium is a simple heavy wooden cross. That was where I was drawn to wave the flag, and thank God for the salvation the cross afforded us all. When the song ended, I threw down the flag and myself as well. Those men working construction probably thought I had died after such a display. My heart was pounding, I was all but gasping for breath. Well, I was gasping for breath! It was a sweet time of prayer to join God in what He has in store.

The true sweetness came during the night for me Thursday night as God awoke me around two to let me know how He saw my act of obedient worship.

More sweetness was added Friday night as JGMJ got underway. There were hundreds of women that came to the cross for salvation.

Thank You Lord, Thank You Lord, Thank You Lord... not only did you call me to the Cross, You met me there; as you did for all those who came last night. You have always and forever will meet any and all who come. Blessed be Your Holy Name... Jesus Christ.

Fill 'er up...

2010-02-18T12:56:00.000-08:00

Do you ever feel like you are chasing your tail, running in circles?
Which of course leads to running nowhere as well as running out of gas.

Over the course of the last week, our focus as a board and staff has been to fall on our faces before the Lord. To seek Him with all of our hearts, minds, souls and strengths.

I'm going to stop right here and say... no matter what God has gifted you with, it is for His Glory and His ALONE. Maybe you are working a nine-to-five and feel like you have nothing to offer because your gift is not one mentioned... preaching, teaching, evangelism...
Can I just say - that my friend is a lie!

I had a meeting today with an old friend, Johnny R. I had heard he was the one I needed to sit down with (remember from my last post?) to help us get over all the hurdles that have pretty much immobilized us. A few simple questions, more hard questions. Some I had answers for, some I didn't. But now that I know what the questions are, now I can find the answers.

So maybe you have a gift of knowing what to ask, knowing how to fit a puzzle together, or something that seems so far off the beaten path from an evangelist, a prophet... put yourself out there, because if God created it in you - it is for Him. I pray that you will discover a few new possibilities beyond that nine-to-five!

So fill'er up, no more running around in circles, no more running on empty.

Yes, please fill'er up and I think I'll have the PREMIUM this time!

Battle Hymns of the day!

2010-02-09T05:47:00.000-08:00

Open my eyes that i may see
glimpses of truth Thou hast for me.
Place in my hand the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for Thee
Ready my God, Thy will to see
Open my eyes illumine me Spirit Divine!

Open my ears that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear.
And while the wave notes fall on my ear
Everything false will disappear.

Silently now I wait for Thee
Ready my God, Thy will to see
Open my ears illumine me Spirit Divine!

Open my mouth, and let me bear,
Gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.

Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my heart, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

Sometimes (OK, a lot of times) while getting bogged down in the trenches of trying to move this mountain, which seems like such a daunting task. A small, but forward step comes along and wouldn't you know it so then does a huge load of discouragement. Mostly the discouragement comes in my own mind. Probably because the only thing I usually see is what progress I, myself am making.

But then... (BUT GOD) out of nowhere I get an email or a phone call that sounds something like this...

"I recently had a call from the Greenville County Sheriff's Office wanting to know where they could send prostitutes when they want to get out of this lifestyle."

"We are going to come along side Wellspring this year because we believe in the mission. Our gift should be around $5,000."

"I would gladly open my home to you for luncheons, teas or whatever to help you get the word out."

"You should talk to so and so or such and such." (Just so happens that the so and so and such and such that was recommended to me by TWO different people is someone I already know... someone I have ministered with in the past, both here and in the Philippines)."

So, Mr. Doubt.... I have to BELIEVE! No matter how inadequate I feel, or how small my steps seem to be...I will continue to walk in the shadow of my MIGHTY BIG GOD! Basking in the rippling effect of His Glory and His alone.

Lead on, O King eternal,
The day of march has come
Henceforth in fields
of conquest
They tents shall be our home.

Through days of
preparation
Thy grace has made us strong,
And now, O King eternal,
We lift our battle song.

Lead on, O King eternal,
Till sin's
fierce war shall cease.
And holiness shall whisper
The sweet amen of
peace.

For not with swords loud clashing,
Nor roll of stirring
drums,
With deeds of love and mercy,
The heavenly kingdom comes.

Lead on, O King eternal,
We follow, not with fears.
For gladness
breaks like morning
Where'er Thy face appears.

Thy cross is lifted
o'er us;
We journey in its light.
The crown awaits the conquest,
Lead on, O God of might.

Join in and sing our song! It may spur you on to victory as well.

(No music on MyPlaylist to accompany the two quoted here!!!)

2010-02-02T10:50:00.000-08:00

Grants and such

2010-01-22T14:47:00.000-08:00

I was sharing with Martha today about grants and such at our inaugural prayer meeting. Realizing what a booger they can be. Being at MTCC over the years I have seen them come and go. Each perhaps intertwined with another, but no matter how related they may be, they each have their own grueling set of hoops to jump through.

On one of my visits to Atlanta, I had asked Mary Frances if they wrote a lot of grants. Her answer was a real shocker to me. "No, none." It was almost unthinkable that a non-profit could survive or be sustained without them... for such is the way of the world.

But thanks be to our Lord... we are not of that mindset.

I have given it a try or two, or three or more. God did bless us and encourage our hearts greatly when we received almost $10,000 from the Spartanburg Christian Community Foundation for Bibles and other materials in 2007.

So, as Martha and I were sharing before we started praying, she pulled out her Fasting Journal by Franklin Jentzen, turned to the back and started reading. We each had our pens and new journals for the journey (provided by Martha) ready and that's when it happened.

After she finished reading, I realized we had what amounts to our first grant request (working under our own 501c3).

Maybe if God has called you to something much bigger than yourself, you can use our grant formula. For sure I will let you know how it turns out for us!

GRANT us your favor.
GRANT us courage.
GRANT us clearly understood words.
GRANT us "Saving" grace (when God comes in and saves the day).
GRANT us a belief in the impossible.
GRANT us humility.
GRANT us faith.
GRANT us PUSHing power (to pray or praise until something happens).
GRANT us open doors.
GRANT us Your Strength and not our own.
GRANT us light for the pathway.
GRANT us DONE!

So that shall be our request for this day and this time.

And before I forget, Martha sent me this after she returned home...
GRANT: to give what is asked, to allow; to give or confer (as a right of
ownership) by formal act or by writing to agree... This
is the best part... a gift, especially land or rights given by a
government, or a gift of money.

I'll be sharing more about unique ways that you can pray for Wellspring if you have a heart and mind to. And please if God leads you to pray in another way... let me know!

And before i forget... if you are tired and thirsty and looking for some refreshment, you too can experience the GREAT MOUNTAIN of GOD... aka THE COVE... with MARTHA... Duncan First has space available for their March 5th & 6th ladies retreat. You may never be the same. You know according to His WORD... He likes to GRANT things on those mountains! For more info 439-7528.

See you soon!

Father Knows Best.... really HE does!

2010-01-19T12:51:00.000-08:00

Many of you my age will remember that TV show from way back in the day. I couldn't tell you everyone that starred in it, well I can only name one - Danny Thomas.
Oh well, on with the story for today.

Remember how I have fought the Lord concerning the Cove the past few years because I thought I knew what was best for me? This year I didn't fight at all, and the truth is from the time I came back last year, I knew I wouldn't fight Him any more on this. Too bad that may not be the case for all my "yet to comes"!

I was right on the one thing I had guessed He had planned for the weekend. It was indeed my commissioning service for the Wellspring call. I tasted the sweetness of realizing that He indeed does know best... in all things.

One of the last things we did was the actual commissioning. The laying on of hands and words tenderly spoken in love. As each woman came up and prayed over me, they also read God's Word that He had given for the occasion. To hear these women that I had fought so hard against was very humbling. To realize that for whatever reason, this was indeed a case of Father Knows Best. To be honest, I cannot imagine a more fitting group to share the occasion with.

I thought of an old rhyme after I got home...

Make new friends, but keep the old
Some are silver and some are gold
...now it's just a little bit harder to tell the old from the new!
It has really caused me to stop and ask what other things in my life am I holding onto because I think I know best? I pray Thee Lord Jesus... loosen my grip and help me to trust you more and more each day.

There was a lot more that happened on that Great Mountain of God... but those will be other stories for other days. Days after my heart and head have processed them all!

Happy Birthday Mable!

2010-01-05T05:31:00.000-08:00

January 6th I will celebrate my first year as Mable High. It's been a great year with many affirmations and promises for what is yet to come.

So, what am I doing with myself these first days of the new year? Resting, organizing and cleaning. Getting geared up for whatever God has in store. I know He has some amazing things, things I have never even thought about, dreamed about or even prayed about. How do I know... because that's just Who He is and just how He operates.

I am not planning on stepping into the Wellspring new year until I return from The Cove. The Cove.... I can hardly wait! Several years ago, Martha Gillen and I were heading back home from a speaking engagement in Laurens. As I shared my Ecuador mountain story, Martha was very moved. In a few days I found myself her guest for lunch. As we sat and talked, she shared the story of "the mountain of God". She and the small group God had assembled had been the previous year and this year, God had invited me. She had heard Him say "invite Susan" and had actually invited another friend that she thought He was talking about. Her friend prayed and said that she didn't feel like it was supposed to be her. When I shared my story she knew that I was the intended Susan.

When we arrived at the conference room where we would be meeting, we all saw that Martha had made each of us a box that told the stories of our lives. I was most impressed because at that time I barely knew Martha.

You might remember that last year we were to actually take a pair of dancing shoes for an evening with the Lord in the Chapel at The Cove. You might also remember that I have gone not so whole hearted the past two years. But after it was all said and done, I am so glad that I was there. From the time I came back off that mountain last year,I have anxiously waited this January's trip. We hadn't been back even a week it seemed when Martha was already asking questions and giving assignments for the new year. As emails started whirling back and forth I told her if she had any extra spots, I would love for Christine, Madonna and Tracy to be invited. I also included that as much as I would love to have them there, I knew it was God's place to do the inviting... not mine. Her response, God had already told her to invite them and my response was her confirmation. Now the real kicker to this years trip...
God has made the theme, the topic... Wellspring Living SC.

That's right, Wellspring LivingSC!

I don't let myself think about it too much or too often. I can hardly imagine what God has planned. I do believe it will be my commissioning service for the mission He has called me to. That's the real reason I'm not jumping into a lot of stuff before the 15th. I certainly don't want to get in front of Him on this one!

The only thing I am thinking about... which song do I want to offer to the Lord in the chapel this year as my wave offering.

You can bet that you will hear about it all in the days that follow our trip!

In the meantime, I hope and pray that you and your family are well on these cold, cold days.

Many questions... one answer...

2009-10-05T06:18:00.000-07:00

Many of you know that I have resigned my position(S) at Middle Tyger Community Center after eleven plus years of employment effective at the end of what is known as DFFM CHRISTMAS. It has been one of the best experiences of my entire life. The thing I love most about MTCC... the people. Wanda has been an inspiration to watch and to love. Of all I hope to take from Wanda... her grace towards others no matter what the circumstance.

There is an endless list of names that have come and gone through the years. Tammy, Piper, Lynn and Kim are the ones that left a mark on my heart that have gone on to other callings in their lives. I am blessed to have known each and every one of them. That leaves us with the ones that I will be leaving behind... wow. I love each and every one of them too. MTCC contains some of the smartest, most clever, most compassionate women that I have ever encountered. It has been an honor to serve side by side with them over the years. And with James too! Hallelujah I never had to wear his hat too often... I might have left sooner!

In the years since the calling to Wellspring came back in 2003, I have felt a lot like Moses. Learning things at MTCC that will be most useful. In recent days, it's been feeling a little more like Noah. I guess no one had ever seen a boat, certainly not one of mammoth proportions. They too, had never seen rain. But for one hundred or so years, Noah labored in preparation for what was to be. I'm sure he answered many questions and people thought him foolish.

So here are some of the questions...

Q: Do you have a house yet?

A: NO!

Q: Do you have a store yet?

A: NO!

Q: Do you have coaches lined up?

A: NO!

Q: Do you have counselors lined up?

A: NO!

Q: Is there money to pay you?

A: No!

Q: Are you crazy?
A: NO!

Q: What will you do all day every day?

A: Not sure yet... but I do have a few thoughts below...

After years of waiting on the Lord, He made it abundantly clear in New York that the tables had turned and now He is waiting on me. I don't have all the answers, as a matter of fact I only have one... II Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all
times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Knowing and believing that God indeed has called me to this, I have but one option. Follow.
Where would the faith be if I already had an answer to even one of the questions?

Like Abraham... God said go - he went. He had no answers, just a heart to follow. He never built a home... but every place he set up home in a tent he did build an alter unto the Lord. That says a lot about what Abraham thought to be most important.

I know that life as I know it may never be the same... but who is to say it won't be better? Better may not mean easier... but as long as I am walking hand in hand with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit - what could be better?

Maybe you know that you are to be involved but don't know how. Invite a group of friends over and we can have an evening of celebrating God through sharing the Wellspring story and what is yet to be. Do you have a women's ministry at your church? I would love to come and share.

I do plan on working with some other area ministries who are already making a difference for women in the Upstate.
I will also...
Believe God is Who He says He IS
Believe that God IS ABLE to do what HE says HE CAN DO
Believe that I am who God says I am
Believe that I can do all things through Christ Jesus
Believe that God's WORD is alive and active through me

So, there you have it... The Susan Georgeanna Lister Metcalf High Game Plan 101
with a little encouragement from two rounds of Believing God with Beth Moore.

Love you all and hope that you too will answer whatever He is calling out to you to BELIEVE HIM for today!

Welcome home soldier! Welcome home!

2009-09-01T14:25:00.001-07:00

Today I was just sitting at my desk doing my job. We had been told that a staff members grandson was coming home from Iraq. She was hoping that he would stop by MTCC and see her. A while later our volunteer said "here he is." I thought she was talking about another volunteer who was bringing food from Costco, which we were anxiously awaiting too.

About that time a handsome young man walked through the doors of MTCC wearing his camo, followed by many other excited family members. We clapped as he came through, then I had the pleasure of walking him down to the child care room where I found his grandmother sitting in the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of him when he entered our parking lot.

I held the door while he and his entourage went in to greet her. I stood there a long time watching this sweet, long anticipated embrace. I was almost to the point of sobbing over the joy that this reunion brought.

I don't know this young man, but was so moved by the joy of him making it home safe and sound. I was reminded of the scripture that talks about all the rejoicing in heaven when a sinner finds their way home. Wow. I bet Jesus and that heavenly host show out like we wouldn't believe.

Today, I sit here waiting on some loved ones to come home from a war too. And I too will shout and say, welcome home soldier, welcome home.

Co-ink-e-dink?

2009-08-07T04:58:00.000-07:00

That's South Carolina verbage (where I come from anyway) for coincidence!

I am of the persuasion as a Christ follower, there are no co-ink-e-dinks. These random things you encounter seem to have no connection ... then one day they connect and a puzzle is complete. Then you realize even more that all your puzzles are connected. OMG! You realize it is really only one giant puzzle and you have just connected another piece in one little section.

You get the drift. I want to share a most recent co-ink-e-dink!

For a month or so when I would start to type an email to my director Wanda Fowler instead of her last name popping up, Wanda Cromer would pop up. I wondered and still do, where Wanda C. came from. How did she end up in my Groupwise email? I had concluded it must have been from a popcorn order I placed with Cromer's in Columbia. That made sense.

Monday, at lunch for Spartanburg area women's ministry leaders, my friend Ruthi and I were getting things set up when a lady walked in. Ruthi said "Susan, do you know Wanda Cromer?" So, indeed, she did not pop up from a Cromer's popcorn order!

Finally! I know who Wanda Cromer is!

I shared the Groupwise story. Then she shared her story. Then I shared another story. There were hugs, there were tears...

...there was God.

Many of you may or may not remember the little tiny part of the Wellspring story... Wellspring (the Mother-ship[Atlanta]) began after the women who had joined together in 1999 for the planning of Just Give Me Jesus. As a result of the bond they formed in the time leading up to the conference, they continued to meet together. Out of that fellowship... well here we are.

Wanda Cromer is very involved in the outreach for Just Give Me Jesus that will be coming to the Bi-Lo Center, March 19-20, 2010.

So you decide for yourself.... CO-INK-E-DINK?
I think not.

CO-INK-E-DINK that I just happened to be at the Living Proof Live Conference (Beth Moore) in 2003 that was sponsored by Wellspring?
I think not!

CO-INK-E-DINK that I knew Wanda Cromer's name before I ever met her?
I think not!

CO-INK-E-DINK that you are reading this this very moment?
I think not!

CO-INK-E-DINK that God maybe just connected a few pieces of your never-ending puzzle?
I think not!

If you would be interested in joining the planning and prep going on right now, or would be able to share information at your workplace, church or where ever you have a circle of influence...please visit: http://www.annegrahamlotz.com/events/just-give-me-jesus/just-give-me-jesus-upstate-sc/

or get in touch with me by leaving a comment on this blog post. Leave your contact info there, it will not be published. I would be glad to get you materials to share!

BUT.... be prepared for a CO-INK-E-DINK that just might change your life... you will be forever glad that you did!

2009-07-25T04:45:00.000-07:00

NYC 2009 Trip Recap from spreadtruth on Vimeo.

'>ftp://

NYC 2009 Trip Recap from spreadtruth on Vimeo.

The first of many...

2009-06-11T18:20:00.000-07:00

It is really happening! Somebody pinch me please. No! Don't!

This Friday, June 12, Wellspring Living SC will be holding it's first ever fund raiser!

We will be hosting a purse sale. None of which would be possible without all the hard work put out by the Middle Tyger Community Center staff over that past few weeks (or longer). MTCC hosted the purse sale last weekend and graciously gave us all the ones they did not sell.

Gretchen and I were poised to clean out our storage building to make room for the nearly 400 of them when Cindy Sanders approached me and suggested that since Friday was a Wellspring day for me and she was not at MTCC either... we should join forces and have a little Wellspring sale.

That of course brings us to another milestone... our first volunteer at a non-conference event!
I guess I'll have to create a volunteer form and start tracking hours!
A few other notable things to mention...

We have received our Article of Incorporation and last but certainly not least...
our request for not-for-profit status is almost ready to be mailed!!!

So "Mother-may-I take one giant step?"

Oh... if you are in the area, the sale will be Main Street in Duncan across the street from the Byrnes High School Senior Parking lot. Friday 8-4 and Saturday 8-Noon.

And if you are in to God bringing a lot of things full circle... the Wellspring Living SC thing all started with a phone call from a friend in September 2003 saying "we have three extra tickets to see Beth Moore in Atlanta this weekend, do you know anyone who might need them?"

We will be selling the purses in her front yard. Thanks JoAnn, and we didn't even know then what would happen because of that phone call.

Love you all!

I’m sorry.

2009-05-22T16:56:00.000-07:00

I did not want to go here, but I feel as though I must.

So, I think I’ll start with two words from Merriam-Webster.

Abomination (Abhorrence; disgust)
and
Haughty (Scornfully and condescendingly proud)

Now, let’s see if I can find these two words in the Holy Writ.

Oh… here’s one - If a man also lie with mankind, as he would lie with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. (Leviticus 20:13)

Is that where we get the notion that the sin of homosexuality is worse and more contemptible than some of the sins, I, myself am guilty of? If not, then someone please tell me where it is noted that this is the sin to end all sins. Because I can remember Orr, Minnesota way back in 1973, (I think). It was church camp and I can remember learning theses verses while I was there. Notice both words are in this section of scripture.

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren. (Proverbs 6:16-19)

As noted in my last post, that sin was pretty disgusting (and there are more). Me thinking I was above the Word of God. It has always been my understanding that sin is sin. They all stink, no matter how big or small. Each sin, in one way or another seperates us from God.

So if I think my sin is less offensive to God than say a sin of homosexuality… it seems as though I am condescendingly proud (haughty).

I would like to ask, have you ever had a friend or relative who was gay.

Did you love them less?

Did you avoid them?

Did you tell them they were going to hell?

Where is the love in that?

I met my first lesbian when I was in high school. She sat next to me in some class that I cannot remember. I do however remember that she would sit and stare at my feet. One day, she touched my foot. Then she started calling me on the phone. She shared that she had “feelings” for me. I told her I wasn’t interested. I didn’t hate her, she was my friend.

When I was a Senior in high school, I worked with a young woman that became a very good friend. We were having lunch together on day when she told me she had something she really needed to tell me. She was afraid that when she told me, I would hate her. I remember the question I asked… “are you an atheist?” I told her that was the worst possible thing she could tell me. And if that wasn’t what she needed to share, then we were ok. Yep, she was a lesbian too. I remained friends with my co-worker until she moved to Florida.

If I know my Mama, she probably just said to herself… “I knew there was something about _ _ _ & _ _ _!”

Then sometime in the eighties, I had a cousin who was my age that died of Aids. I remember being so impressed with how his circle of friends rallied around him and cared for him. I always wondered if the church where he grew up as a child ever reached out to him. When we were in high school, he played the lead role in Jesus Christ Superstar. I wrote him a letter right before he died and reminded him of the role he had played and the love of the true Jesus Christ.

I know more than one person who grew up in church with my kids that are now living this lifestyle.

I had a friend tell me once that people had told him he was going to hell because he was gay.

Here again, if God’s Word says that a person is going to hell for that lifestyle, please share the scripture with me. I was of the persuasion that you only went to hell if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

A few weeks ago at MTCC, I was walking down the hall with a man from a gay & lesbian church in our area. As we walked down the hall, I was trying to figure out in my head how that works. Don’t they know what the Bible says? Then I realized, I guess that would be like a church full of alcoholics, prostitutes or people whom withhold their tithes from God; you know… a church with a kindred spirit. Then I wondered if they had tried church with the rest of the family of God and it just didn’t quite work out for them.

I guess I should close by saying… I am not in favor of gay rights. I am not a proponent of that lifestyle. I am a Christ follower. They are sinners such as me, no more, no less. Many of them are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

I think He wants us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Ok. I know He does.

Regardless of who or what they are, or where they come from. . .

They too, are created in His image.

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)

Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

Come now, let us reason together...

2009-05-05T15:37:00.000-07:00

hey are
Do you have something in your life that would just cause you to die if people, especially your peeps found out? Well, I have had one of those things in my life for sometime now. It's one of those things God and I work on, it seems like it will be OK, then before you know it... it's back like it always was.

Once I stopped by the church on my way to work to just worship and praise the Lord. Upon entering the sanctuary I started my music and was just having the best time. Then I felt drawn to the Bible on the pulpit. It belonged to my friend John Moore, left from the day before. I opened it up and when I saw where it opened to, my praise turned to tears of sadness and despair over what God had just shown me. That same old sin once again... argh!

So, I addressed it for a little while, then fell back into the same old me.

Same old, same old - time after time.

Then came November 2008. We were issued a challenge at church. Guaranteed to work... or your money back! Hub challenged us to (here it comes, the revelation of my secret) tithe for three months. At the end of the challenge if we didn't feel like we had been blessed by doing so, he would refund our money. Now, I hope you know I didn't take the challenge to get the refund.
Tell me why after all these years... I believe it took! There was something different. I don't know why, but I know there is.

So in the weeks that passed by I was blessed. Blessed in ways I never could have imagined.
One thing that blew me away was a friend that I had not seen in three years stopped by to sponsor me in an upcoming event. I kept telling her "no", but she insisted. I was about to say no one more time, when it seemed as though God said "take the money, it's from ME!"

Then I had decided I needed a set of twin beds for my grand babies as they grew older. A few days later, another friend called to see if Wellspring was ready to accept donations. I said yes. But when she told me what she had to donate, I asked if I could buy them and use them instead.
Twin beds! She gave them to me, mattresses and all. Perfect, just perfect.

Then about two weeks ago I knew God had given permission for me to go to Brooklyn with WBC on their summer mission trip. I'll be staying with three of my favorite young ladies from youth trip days. One of which happens to be my youngest daughter, Sarah. The icing on the cake is I'll will be at the Brooklyn Tabernacle Tuesday Night Prayer Service on my birthday! I cannot wait. If you remember my last birthday story on a mission trip.

And these are only the stories I will tell about. There are a few other things that have completely blown me away, like nothing ever has before. Those stories will come after God has written the end of them. - Stories you won't believe!!! But worth the wait - I guarantee it!

But here is the sweetest part of this particular story. I had a meeting with the Milestones staff and before I talked with them about Wellspring, I had to share about my blessing from tithing. I only shared about the lady coming to see me at work. Two days later, Hub called to see if I would mind sharing at church - both services. I said yes, because God is such a wonderful God, how can you not tell of His greatness?

Now it seemed kind of funny, here I was not wanting my closest friends and family to know my shameful secret, and now I was going public with it. That is so God!

After I said yes, I guess God figured it was time to discuss the Paul Harvey of this whole thing.

It was like He said, "Now Susan, can you explain to me one more time why you thought you didn't really have to tithe".

I had decided that I would give God all the time He needed, that I would go and do and give Him any of my talents that He could use and I could keep my money, after all, I did need it more than He did. Right?

That made sense to me. Until He asked the next question.

"Susan, do you realize what the bigger problem is here?"

Oh my gosh! I had no clue. I never knew that I had so much pride and arrogance in my heart.
It was like I had decided I was exempt from God's law. That's pretty bad.

Now tell me how that even made any sense? Looking back, it's like "what were you thinking?"

You know, I always thought God would deal really harshly with me for the sin in my life. That was the biggest lie I believed. Once we got started, He was ever so gentle with me. It was a very sweet, a very tender unfolding of my heart and the contents thereof. Almost like He was saying, "would you look at what I found in here!"

So, on Sunday April 26, 2009... I came clean. And it feels sooooooo good!

I knew I would have to write and share the story. The hard part was what to call it. Then on Tuesdays the 28th I flipped the old faithful Max Calender and there it was, Isaiah 1:18.

How fitting, "come let us reason together". It was especially sweet for me because it reminded me of the days when I was a little girl. My daddy would put the paddle in his pocket and we would walk out into the woods behind our house and sit on an old tree that had fallen. He never would take that paddle out. He just talked, and we reasoned together.

Ahhh God.... thanks for the talking to. I think I got it now, now that I understand the heart behind the action.

I love you, thanks for being patient all these years.

This is me standing next to a piece of the Berlin Wall.
For a long time now, I have wanted my picture made there.
The wall coming down... that was a day we never thought we would see, so it was with my sin.

Hallelujah! God is big enough to knock any wall down!

National Dance Day

2009-04-29T08:57:00.000-07:00

Just in case you thought you had an excuse, not any more!
It is time to dance.... feel like it or not.

If you have never danced before the Lord or with the Lord... try it, you'll like it!

I would add the link, but am doing this post at lunch from my official work location ... so I don't have those at my disposal right now!

Here are a few favorites~
If you are in the mood for ballet,I recommend "It is Well" by Crystal Lewis.
That one is great to do indoors, or in the privacy of the moonlit night sky.

If you are in the mood to be swept away, I recommend "Revelation Song" by Kari Jobe, or "Praise Adoni" by Paul Baloche.

Last but not least... if you like a little hip-hop, I recommend "Lose my Soul" by Toby Mac and friends.

And, if you don't like any of these and have an ipod, just set it to shuffle and let Jesus be the Lord of your Dance today!

I'll repeat myself ONE MORE TIME...

2009-04-23T15:47:00.000-07:00

Just in case you missed my post three times ago, let me stress the point one more time!

LET GO OF IT!!!

Whatever IT IS!!!

This past weekend my heart was so broken over something very near and dear to me. I was mad all day Sunday, cried all day Monday. During my morning prayer time on Tuesday, God said... lay it down and be glad about it.
So, I did. I let go of it. I told the Lord, as far as anyone knew, I would be agreeable and happy about the situation... even though He knew better.

As the week progressed, I asked God to do one thing for me concerning the situation at hand.

As a result of honoring Him and letting go of my control... I got the biggest Ephesians 3:20 to the max that I have ever gotten on anything.

God did what only GOD CAN DO.

Had I held on and tried to control it and make it go my way, it would have been mean, ugly and resulted in a killing for all I know.

BUT GOD! ! ! Woo Hoo....

So one more time for the road.... Sling that sucker down and run ... run... run to the arms of your sweet Lord who is there waiting to bless you more than you even thought about asking for.

G U A R E N T E E D !

Celebrating 4:20

2009-04-20T04:56:00.001-07:00

Many people will be glad that today is 4:20.... a day to celebrate the cannabis culture.

.

Well, that doesn't hold a lot of excitement for me personally.

But here are some everlasting 4:20's that do.

My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words
Proverbs 4:20
.
Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet,
join us there. Our God will fight for us!"
Deuteronomy 4:20
.
And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones
they had taken out of the Jordan.
Joshua 4:20
.
The tree you saw, which grew large and strong,
with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth,
Daniel 4:20
.
At once they left their nets and followed him
Matthew 4:20
.
For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."
Acts 4:20
.
Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God
Romans 4:20

.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power 1 Corinthians 4:20

.
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, Philemon 4:20

.
If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar.

For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen,

cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

1 John 4:20

.
To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen

Philippians 4:20

The good thing about God's 4:20.... they will never be gone in a puff of smoke... everlasting and eternal!

Now that's cause for celebration!!!

Once upon a time, in a land far away...

2009-04-17T07:16:00.000-07:00

.
.

God reminded me today of one of the most profound things He has ever done in my life. Maybe I have written this account here, maybe I haven't. If I have, please excuse the fact that I just have to tell the story one more time

The year I turned 49, I had the awesome pleasure of spending that very day in Patate, Ecuador.

As preparation for the trip, my co-workers gave me cards to open everyday while I was away. It was great. Included in the bundle was one from my friend Kim Hautamaki. As a matter of fact, I couldn't leave work until she returned with hers. When she handed me the envelope, she explained that out of desperation she finally just opened her Bible and placed her finger on a passage after praying and praying for God to give her a verse.

Maybe not the most theological way to give encouragement. But you know what!? that was all God needed - a willing finger!

While we were there, we heard stories of earthquakes that had destroyed many things that once stood on the mountainsides where we were assigned to work during the week.

This was the location of my groups daily visit. Someone in the village gave this land. We tore the house down, a church stands there now.

Well, me being the "granny" of the crew, there wasn't a lot I could do. One thing I did daily, was walk around the property and read scripture and pray over what was yet to come. As the children ran and played around me, I prayed over them, believing they are the

future leaders of the church in that village, claiming all that God has for them.
.

I opened Kim's card on Sunday, read it and tucked it away. The week after returning home, I opened it, read it again and almost passed out!

This was the portion of scripture covered in her card...

LORD, You are my
God; I will exalt You. I will praise Your name, for You have accomplished
wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.
2 For You have
turned the city into a pile of rubble, a fortified city, into a ruin; the
fortress of barbarians is no longer a city; it will never be rebuilt.
3
Therefore, a strong people will honor You. A city of violent people will fear
You.
4 For You have been a stronghold for the poor, a stronghold for the
humble person in his distress, a refuge from the rain, a shade from the heat.
When the breath of the violent is like rain against a wall,
5 like heat in a
dry land, You subdue the uproar of barbarians. As the shade of a cloud cools the
heat of the day, so He stills the song of the violent.
6 The LORD of Hosts will prepare a feast
for all the peoples on this mountain — a feast of aged wine, choice meat, finely aged wine.
7 On this mountain He
will destroy the burial shroud, the shroud over all the peoples, the sheet
covering all the nations;
8 He will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will
wipe away the tears from every face and remove His people's disgrace from the
whole earth, for the LORD has spoken.

After reading it for the second time... I almost passed out! I almost cut a cart wheel (well my spirit did)!

It was kind of like hearing a sermon on Sunday and thinking it doesn't apply to you, then realizing, it was straight from the heart of God to you!

Read verse 6 again.

If you know the story, I hope it excites your heart again too!

You see, our last day in the village, the villagers prepared a feast for us. Their finest foods, collected from all the village families. It felt like God, Himself had prepared this place at the table for us. As we sat there, the village elder came in with his finest bottle of home made wine.

It was there, that i realized this very day was indeed my birthday.

As we pulled back into the camp, there suspended in the sky was the biggest, thickest brightest rainbow I have ever seen.

It was like a kiss from heaven... just for me.

It wasn't until I was home that I realized God fulfilled that verse to the fullest.

So my friend, whatever you may be going through... know that God controls more than you can see, more than you can know. Just know THAT HE IS... and that is enough!

Thank you Lord, that You love each one of us enough. Help us to take the time to look back and see where we have been with You, what You have said, and what You have provided. To know that that scripture was for this day in time.... mmmmm I love you so Lord!!!

You bless my heart much more than I deserve!

Letting go

2009-03-24T12:17:00.000-07:00

You know there are some things that are so precious in life you have to hold onto them very tightly. Right? That's true if it's your skirt on a windy day, or maybe an umbrella when it's pouring rain.

But what about something really dear, say a family member, or the hopes and dreams you've been praying over for years. I have found out that the best place for all that is not in our hands at all. When we grip "our stuff" with all we have, there's no way to receive all the things that need to come our way. You know.. like the answer to our prayers.

I guess the first time I really learned that was was back when, standing on our front porch around two a.m. To anyone passing by or peeping out their window, I probably looked more like a lunatic howling at the moon. But what else is there to do when you don't know what else to do? So that morning I was trying to figure out just what direction to face to sing my praise to the face of God. That was back before the days of the ipod. So it was just me and my voice singing "Shout to the Lord" from a broken and weary heart. As I turned to go back inside, it was like God whispered to my heart, "give him to me completely, and live from this time forth like I have answered your prayer."

Wow! If you have never tried it, let me strongly suggest it. You have no idea how great it feels to be out from under the load. That was probably nine years ago. I am still living like it's been done. And let me tell you - the day it is you will know it! I may even rent a bill board on 85! The one thing that has made it easy not to pick it back up is quite simply... the WORD of God.
I bet if counted the many words of confirmation He has given me, it would amaze even me.

Recently, you have heard me talk about my trips to the Cove with me kicking and screaming. Mainly, because I had a prayer group and I wasn't in the market for a new one. But this past Saturday, the Cove Sista's were going to get together to surprise Martha with a few goodies for her upcoming mission trip to Africa. As the week progressed, it seemed as though many of the group were under attack. So we gave up breakfast at the Cracker Barrel for a lengthy prayer time instead. Our time together was a joyous time. As I sat in this circle, I was so glad I had let go of the notion that my heart was only big enough for one group. When God whispered the name "Susan" to Martha, she went to another friend first, but the other friend said God didn't mean her. During a conversation that Martha and I had, God whispered "this Susan". Oh Praise His Name! I let go of a few and now I have a whole bunch! God multiplied, made it immeasurably more!

Just last week, I let go of another dream. THE HOUSE. Not the whole idea of Wellspring, but I let go of Dr. J's house. I know there is another ministry looking at the home. It would be a home for African orphans. So there, I released that into the Lord's hands too. If I can trust him with my precious son, my prayer group, I know I can more than trust Him with this. Whatever He allows to occupy Dr. J's home will be awesome.

So, are your knuckles white because of what you're holding on to? Maybe, it's time for you to think about letting go, and trusting God with all your stuff!

Mine eyes have seen the glory!

2009-03-05T03:52:00.000-08:00

This past week our family joined together to share our memories and console one another as we said goodbye to one great lady. We knew her as Grandma Margaret around our house. Once upon a time I was married to her oldest son, Phillip. He died at the age of 34, in 1984. I always admired the way she handled his death. I know her heart was more broken than mine. After all, she was his mom. But you know, she never showed her grief to me. The only thing I remember seeing was that she carried on for her grand kids who had lost their dad. Jenn was only 6 and PJ was not yet 3. It was a hard time for sure.

Then in 1986, I married Ray. In 1988, Sarah was born. Margaret and the rest of the family accepted Ray and Sarah as if they had been born into their family. Isn't that so like God? In the past few years I came to realize that it may have been easy for Margaret to turn a hard heart toward Sarah. After all, look at what had been taken that allowed her to be here.
But, Margaret loved her, and held nothing back.
I never told her, but I was so thankful that she loved Sarah with her whole heart. Who knows, maybe Sarah helped piece her own heart together a little bit more than it had been.

It was right before Margaret's funeral began that I got a glimpse of the Glory of the Lord.

This is how it came about~

My little grandson Sam was in my arms. He had folded his little program into a cylinder that he referred to as his trumpet. We walked over toward PJ and Sam began to say these words...

"The LORD
your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
Zephaniah 3:17

To an untrained soul, that might just appear as a little kid rambling on and being silly. But to someone who believes God is at work in all things, it was music to my ears and my heart.

1 Corinthians 2:9
However, as it is written:
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him."

Now it doesn't say that we won't see, hear or understand some things until we get to heaven. I think we need to be on the lookout at all times. Because we serve a God who can make it thunder and lightening during a snow storm! Who knew?
He can do anything.

He can use anyone. Even a little 3 year old to proclaim His word.

I believe that His Word did not return back to Him on Sunday afternoon until it accomplished His purpose. From the foundation of the world God had a purpose for Zephaniah 3:17 on Sunday, March 1, 2009.

I am just glad that God allowed me to witness it.

So be on guard, look for Him in all situations, in all places, from all people!

And by the way... happy birthday Phillip.

Evolution

2009-02-16T05:23:00.000-08:00

From Keds to Keds and then some.

Who says I don't believe in evolution?

It just depends, evolution of what!

Way back when, probably in 1999, during one of the hardest times of my life, I pulled out an old pair of Keds that Jenn had given me for Mother's Day. I'm guessing that she gave them to me before 1996. So they were well worn by 1999. I deemed these Keds as my "dancing shoes". I told the Lord that on days when my heart was too heavy and my spirits too low, I would wear these shoes as an acknowledgement that He was worthy of my praise. They were in essence, my fighting shoes. It was a way to let my enemy know that I might feel defeated, but my God would never be defeated.

I enjoyed these dancing shoes from 1999 until the summer of 2007. I had actually worn these to a planning and prayer service to pave the way for the Broken to Beautiful Women's Conference that Wellspring Living SC was hosting in October. When I opened my closet that morning I asked the Lord... "What would you have me wear today?" His response immediately flickered through my heart... "Well, your Jubilee Skirt and your dancing shoes of course!" As I left home, Ray commented that I looked like a clown. Maybe I did, but who cared, because I had been dressed by my Lord and that was what was important.

Little did I know that He had a surprise in store for me.

My friend Christine made a presentation to me at the proper time...

A new pair of shoes for a new season in my life. Can life get any better than LIME GREEN dancing shoes? You would think not. For two years these have adorned my feet, and even on the days when I don't have on my dancing shoes, my toenails are usually always lime green to praise the Lord because He is worthy. To me, it is a perpetual statement of praise.

So now, on to the fun part of the story....

Do you remember a few posts back when I shared about a recent trip to The Cove?

Not only was I invited to come to the Mountain and dance... part of the assignment was to bring a pair of... you guessed it ~ DANCING SHOES!

Since it was virtually a last minute decision to go, I wasn't sure about needing new dancing shoes. Having two pair already, did I really need another pair?"

I decided to take just one trip to see what was out there. Knowing in my heart, that if new shoes were on the agenda, I would recognize them as soon as I saw them. For some reason, a picture of this really pretty pair of lime green dress shoes with cute little heels and thin strappy straps filled my thoughts. I went to store after store with not one glimpse of anything that seemed even a remote possibility. Only two store left to visit - TJ Maxx and Burlington.
As I entered TJ Maxx and found the rack holding my shoe size, I saw them. It was all I could do not to cause a commotion. I grabbed up the shoes and hoped no one was watching as I slid my foot into the first shoe. Why did I even have to try it on? I knew, without a doubt that it was a match made in heaven.

I may not have doubted, but it wasn't what I had in mind. So I went on over to Burlington to give God just one more chance. All I can say is, it was a wasted trip. Upon entering the store, I asked myself, "who are you fooling?" "Go get the shoes!"

How could I have ever thought there would be anything better for me than these?

I will say, I have moved up from Keds...

All the way to Lime Green and Turquoise Blue SATIN CONVERSE ALL STARS!

Have you ever seen such? Who knew they made anything like this? Certainly not me!
If you ever thought God didn't have a sense of humor, think again!

Here are the other girls shoes too...

And just in case you weren't aware of this...

The official colors of Wellspring Living SC just happen to be lime green and turquoise blue.

Thing about these shoes, they were first worn as dancing shoes, but I knew in my heart all along they would become my running shoes.

This is a portion of the property we are believing will be the home of Wellspring Living SC.

Last week, I went to the property and prayed, and praised and prayer walked. Now, can you imagine me trying to do that in the shoes I had pictured in my heart? I would have mired up ankle deep!

And here are the shoes at the front door! Now that's a reason to dance!

Question?

Have you ever danced?

No, not at a party, not with your beau, but with your Lord.

You may have noticed a few sweet songs playing in the background. They are a few of my favorite dance tunes.

Nothing would suit Him more than to have this dance with you!

Go ahead, you don't have to be dressed up, no make up...

you see, He loves you just as you are.

You are His prize.

The apple of His eye.

Go ahead, let yourself fall into His strong, caring arms. Those cares and worries you've been carting around for too long... will melt away as He leads you in the dance of your life.

Before you know it, you too will have your favorite songs that are just between you and Him.

Gotta go ~ they are playing our song!

An over inflated ego and/or the squeaky wheel

2009-02-06T04:27:00.000-08:00

Sorry to start out the same way again this week, but God continues to use Beth Moore over and over. I promise I don't limit myself to just her studies!
In a recent lesson this is what she wrote...

"God always trumps Satan.
Never picture the two of them

as equal but opposite authorities."*

Now when I read that it caused quite a ruckus in my heart.
How about yours?

Satan with his oh-so big picture of who he is may have distorted your view of how big your God is. It is true that the squeaking wheel always gets the oil. There have been times in my life when he really did get the oil. Once a whole bottle of it! Anointing oil that is. Probably not what he had in mind.

After reading the words penned by Beth, I started thinking how big is our God and how small is the devil. I just started thinking and wondering...

If all the carpet in my house represented the vastness of God, would Satan even be one strand?
If God was the Grand Canyon, would Satan be as big as the smallest pebble?
If God was the Andes Mountains, would Satan even be a leaf off of one tree?

We could go on and on... but you get the point. We have no earthly idea how big our GOD IS!

Satan is always tootin' his own horn and because he has such a big mouth (Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. I Peter 5:8). He knows if he can distract us and turn our focus to him, we'll forget who we are in Christ, we'll forget the power that we have through Christ, we'll forget that God is for us and not against us.

So, if the Devil has you in a tailspin over something going on in your life...

S T O P

Be reminded of all the times God has been there for you in the past. Henry Blackaby refers to them as spiritual markers (Experiencing God). Remember when you trusted Him for your salvation. Go back into His Word and remember all the times you have had with Him. Let His love wash over you fresh and new.

Here is a little something I learned from another one of my favorite Bible teachers (see, I told you there were others), Andrew Womack...

"don't tell your God about your problem -
tell your problem about your God!"

I like that!
Our God is more than we can imagine.
He is EVERYTHING!

It's a good thing we get new stuff when we get to heaven. Because I am convinced that our brains won't be able to contain the vastness of His glory and majesty when we get our first glimpse.
Oh how I hope that if when you started reading this today and were a little or a lot overwhelmed by the circumstances of your life, that as this post draws to a close... God has lifted your spirits, your hopes. That you have sensed Him speaking a truth over you. A truth that says HE IS ABLE.
In addition to BEth, Henry and Andrew, I have also discovered Louie Giglio. Be reminded of the Great God we serve...

* Esther, It's Tough Being A Woman . p73

Mean girls and the like

2009-01-30T18:47:00.000-08:00

If you've never had the pure pleasure that comes hand-in-hand with a Beth Moore Bible study, here is one to get you sarted... Esther - It's hard being a woman. If you are familiar with Beth - get ready because she is absolutely hilarious in this one.

It's been a while since I've done a study with any of my close friends. So it was a treat this past Tuesday morning to sit side by side with my friend Madonna. This weeks topic was "mean girls". I know that this will probably come as a shock to at least one person reading this... but I have been "the mean girl" MORE THAN ONCE in my lifetime.
As Beth talked about reasons that people were mean, I started thinking about the mean people that I knew since I was over my mean season. One of the questions she asked was "who is your rival?" Well, as far as I know - I don't have one. Then she started talking about those insecurities that lie at the heart of most meanness. Insecurities?

Oh, that hurt. I was reminded of a time when there was this woman in my Sunday School class. She thought she was something. All pretty and thin and blond. Perfect husband, perfect children... and on and on it went. You know the type. I would call her to try and enlist her help with GA's, and without even praying about it she told me "no". Not once, but twice! Well who did she think she was anyway?
Who knew God had told her to pray for me? The woman with the attitude. And pray she did. Then one day she came to me and handed me this scarlet cord. She had felt led to go to a conference, and while she was there, she knew without a doubt that she was there to stand in the gap for me. The cord was for my son PJ. That was back at the height of our discovering an out of control drug problem. As you can imagine, my heart began to melt. As I got to know more about her, I realized that God had called her into a season of prayer and not a time of activity (like GA's). As the days and weeks passed, our friendship grew.
Sitting there this week and listening to Beth talk about insecurities and rivals... I just about laughed out loud at the irony of it all. Yes, once upon a time I had a rival. I was insecure. That was then... now I'm blessed to be sitting by her during the Bible study and being glad that God told her to pray and she did ... like it or not! ! !
Moral of the story... who is your rival? Watch out she may become one of the best friends you've ever had!

Just when you think you have it all together...

2009-01-23T12:52:00.000-08:00

someone changes the rules of the game. Or, better yet, did I really know and understand them to start with? Last weekend I had the wonderful privilege of traveling to The Cove in Black Mountain, NC. This was my second year to travel with this particular group. I will have to confess... I went kicking and screaming, protesting for the last few months. I had decided that when I went last year, I did as God told me to and that was an assignment checked off the list. They could go and have fun, but not me, not this year. Right Lord??? Wrong Dummy (me)!

As I sat in line at the county tax office to pay my car taxes, I decided it was past time to clean out all the little nooks and cranny's that seem to fill up so fast with bits and pieces of my life.
There was mail from the week still laying in the floorboard that had never made it into the house. There was this little Christmas card and as I opened it, these are the words that grabbed my heart...

Come away with Me, my beloved
Come and enjoy a candlelight dance on the Mountain with me

Now, if you know me at all... you know He had me at "dance"!
And had me He did. As the time to go up to this Mountain of God drew closer, my heart grew more ready to be there. All I can say is "what a fool I was". I told the "Cove Sistas" that Susan had been crazy not to want to be there, but look out next year because Mable was already counting down the days until we go again.

I won't tell all we did, because after all it was a date, and nice girls don't tell all! But I will tell this one eye-opener, because I do believe it will end up changing my life in ways I never dreamed of.
Late Friday night after we had all had our dance, we gathered in one of the rooms to pray. We started about 10:30 and went until about 2:15. Martha, our fearless leader, had instructed us to share our requests. Our scribe, Dana, read the ones from last year. And for the most part... they were the same requests. But I'll go ahead and say.... next year, I don't think that will be the case at all. Nope, I think they'll all be checked off and we'll be moving on to a new list!
Martha shared what it means to intercede. I always thought it meant that we just prayed for other people and their needs.

Miriam Webster has this to say...
the act of interceding 2 :
prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of another
But when Martha shared what she believes is the true definition, it went more like this...To stand in the gap for, to pray as if you were that person.

And hearing that, many of us in the little group gave it our best shot. But then, oh, but then, Martha prayed. It was the most amazing prayer I had ever heard. It brought me to my feet... and then some. (Some things are better left to the imagination!)

Martha took on the heart for the one whom she prayed.

Before I went to the Mountain, I gathered things of significance that belonged to my mom and dad, my husband, my children, their significant others, my grand babies, and a few close friends and their families. It was sweet to pray over them on that Mountain of the Lord. But I knew I wasn't finished. So today, before I started to return the items, I laid them all out and began to intercede over each person as I held their item. The best thing to say is I now have a headache because I have cried so much today. No doubt, the sweetest headache I have ever had.

And on Day One of President Obama's first day in office, it was really neat, not to just pray for him, but to intercede for him.

Remember this one...

Hebrews 7:25 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Therefore He is always able to save those who come to God through Him,
since He always lives to intercede for them.

Today I have a fresh and new perspective of just how Christ intercedes for us. Maybe you already had an understanding that I just received. If you did... why didn't somebody tell me before now? And if it's a new way of thinking for you too... oh - go and give it a whirl. You'll be ever so glad that you did!

A new year, a new day, and oh - how about a new name too?

2009-01-06T05:02:00.003-08:00

It's been a while, too long. But it is so good to be back! I had planned to devote the last few weeks of November and all my December work time to District Five Family Ministries' Christmas Project. And what a project it was this year. The number of children we served jumped from 720 to 1044. It about did us all in but Glory to His NAME... HE DID IT!

So I have some Wellspring days banked and the plan is to CHARGE into the New Year full steam ahead! Way back in the day when I came home from that eventful Beth Moore Conference in 2003, I attended the staff meeting at WBC and shared my heart with the staff. A few days after that, Cory Singleton gave me a book by Andy Stanley ... Visioneering. I read through the first few chapters and decided it was TMI for me at the time. Last night I picked it up and thought now is the time to finish reading. As I re-read the chapters that talked about going public, I knew I had passed through those stages. Then came the chapter on the power of the vision. It spoke of the vision given to Abraham, the call given to he and Sarah, the way that Christ spoke to the vision He had for Peter and Paul. He had given them each a new name as part of their calling. I cried as I prayed... Lord... IF Wellspring Living SC is your vision and not some grand idea that seemed like a good thing for me to do... will you give me a new name? I had thoughts that He would awaken me during the night and whisper the name. I was prepared to record His words with pencil and paper by my bedside. When the alarm went off this morning, I was a little disappointed that there had been no revelation. But you know what His word says in

Habakkuk 2:3... For the vision is yet for the appointed time;It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail Though it tarries, wait for it;For it will certainly come, it will not delay.

As I opened Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, turned to January 6 and there it was. It was created with my little piece of paper that was my scripture promise from the Broken to Beautiful Conference that I read every day. So without further adieu... see if you can see it too...

M ABLE... I just started reading and I almost missed it. Then it was like those first five letters caught my attention. Mable? I thought Mabel wasn't the kind of name I had in mind. Something more elegant, with a little more sass to it. I ran to the computer to see what it meant. The Latin meaning is "lovable". That was nice, but then I saw the English meaning, and am glad to be called Mabel - "My beautiful one".

As I picked the book up again and moved the paper I read these words ... I AM Able to do far beyond all you ask or imagine. Words found in Ephesians 3:20... my very own life verse for the past 24 years!

So.... on this new day in this new year, I pray that this girl. Mable's life will be everything that God intends for it to be each and every new day for the rest of my life! I praise you Lord for the assurance that this is Your vision and your calling for such a time as this.

two-for-two-at-one

2008-11-12T10:47:00.000-08:00

A good while back my pastor friend, John Moore encouraged us do be very intentional as we prayed. One suggestion was that we choose a specific time every day to pray about the same thing. So for a long time I prayed for two things for two minutes every day at 1:00 (lunch). I would go to the back of our building and lean against the brick wall. Every day I would pray for a friends salvation and I would also pray for the forgiveness of another friend.

I would like to share of God's faithfulness to those prayers.

I'll start with the forgiveness story. It is after all, one of my very favorite stories!

I had wounded a very good friend with what I thought was good reason. I felt very justified in what I had said to her. I knew what I had spoken was truth, but true or not... maybe I shouldn't have said it. My friend Christine even worked up the gumption to come and talk to me about it. Still I was hard hearted and thought I was right in my opinion. The truth is, it may have been true, but did I need to say it in the tone and the time that I did? Ummmm... looking back, that would be a big fat "NO"! So, finally, I realized that my friendship was extremely severed with my precious friend. Now let me say, she wasn't just a friend. She was a heart friend. The one you fall in love with the moment you meet her and you love her with all you heart. The kind of friend if you don't see her for a long time, it's just like yesterday when you do see her. Well, I called my friend and told her I was sorry and asked her to forgive me. She said she would. But I could tell by her tone that the day she forgave me would be a very cold day in you-know-where.
So, every day that was one of my prayers. And I prayed, and I prayed and I prayed.

It was at a Beth Moore conference in Columbia. It was Beth's first time in our area. So far back that she was actually in a church and not an arena. As our group settled into our seats I looked directly across the sanctuary and guess who was sitting right there in front of me.
There we sat Friday night, Saturday morning trying not to get caught looking at each other. As the last service was coming to a close, my heart was about to jump out of my chest. I looked and faithful Christine had dropped slam out of sight. She was down on her knees praying. I jumped two pews and almost ran to get to my friend. As I rounded the last corner, I looked up and to my surprise... there she was, running to me. We stood there hugging and kissing and hugging some more. Every time I hear the song that was playing, I think of God's faithfulness to redeem all things, even things said in haste to an already wounded heart.

Then there was the prayer of salvation. I knew my friend needed prayer. Not knowing what all he needed, it seemed that his salvation would be the most important thing I could pray for. So every day he was my second prayer at 1:00.
One day I received a call from P.J. saying his friend was in trouble and they needed help. I went by and picked up my pastor friend, John, and we went to see what help we could offer.
That was one of the saddest days of my life. My friends life had ended. It became mine and John's job to tell his family.
That was hard.
But God is good.
The night after my friends death, I woke up with two very specific scriptures that seemed to be amplified in my head.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is
faithful.
~Hebrews 10:23

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his
glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior
be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before
all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.~Jude1:23-25

I knew in my heart that God was letting me know that my friend was with Him.

It's always good to remember those times in our lives when God's hand was so visible in our lives. I hope you have sweet memories of times when He was there in such satisfying moments with you too.

I would like to encourage you to do the two-for-two-at-one.
You can make your own formula.
But try it.. you'll like it!

If you need something to pray about... I would humbly ask that if you have time that you pray a prayer for Wellspring Living SC. I wouldn't presume to tell you what to pray, because that might limit what you would pray.

It is always an honor to know that you think of us, pray for us and encourage us in the many ways that we do.
Here are the lyrics that was playing that day in Columbia... way back when...

Thank You, Lord by Dennis Jernigan

For all that You've done, I will thank
You
For all that You're going to do
For all that You've promised
And
all that You are
Is all that has carried me through
Jesus I thank You
And I thank You
Thank You Lord
And I thank You
Thank You Lord
Thank You for loving and setting me free
Thank You for giving Your life
just for me
How I thank You
Jesus, I thank You
Gracefully thank You
Thank You

Democrat or Republican ?

2008-10-31T18:27:00.000-07:00

I guess this election season has stirred my thoughts on a few things such as Democrats, Republicans and Christians. Some of my dearest friends are Democrats. And do you know what? They love the same Jesus, rely on the same Holy Spirit, worship the same God and are just as devoted to their Savior and their churches as most of the Republicans I know.

You have to love the fact that God will not fit into any box even when it comes to politics. It's really funny, we pray to the same God about the same thing... God... show me Lord how YOU want me to vote. I believe He does just that. To some of His children He says "you vote for my child Barack", and to some He says "you vote for my child John". No matter how upset we may be when the winner is announced, one thing is for sure - God's Word tells us how we are to honor those in authority over us.

Don't you know it's all about HIM and not THEM? If every Christian in America voted for the same candidate, could it be that we would place our worship and our trust in that person and not our God, who is the only ONE.

Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Catholics, Pentecostals... since we each have our own personal relationship with the Lord, He leads us all in different directions through His zillions to the tenth power (more than we have ever heard of!) aspects of His character.

What I hate most during an election year is not a person who votes Democrat over Republican. What breaks my heart is when people who have been granted a freedom that much of the world only read about in books (if they have that freedom) choose to sit at home and complain about the outcome of it all.

Truly, the greatest sadness happens not just during an election, but day after day and week after week when the Democratic or Republican Christians don't live out their lives in the greatest freedom that they were given by our Lord...

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

God bless you in all your freedoms. I pray that you don't take a single
one for granted, but understand how great they all are.

I pray that you will vote on November fourth... no matter who you vote for!

But more than that, I pray that you come to a fuller knowledge of the freedom given you by the blood of Christ.

Stormy day at the beach

2008-10-22T15:50:00.000-07:00

You know how you are usually wishing that you had remembered your camera when you see something breath-taking? Well that's me almost all the time. This time included. A few weekends ago I had the opportunity to hang out at the beach with a few girlfriends. Some of them decided to stay in their jammies all day watching chick-flicks. Tracy and I decided to head to the beach. It had rained the day before and there was a 60% chance of rain for Friday. But off we went. We had walked a couple of hundred feet when it started raining. We stopped, and decided to go on and figured the rain would pass over us. I don't know if Tracy has ever clocked it, but I am guessing we walked well over a mile to where the channel comes into the barrier island. We made the trek with sand blowing over the beach like you would expect to see in Lawrence of Arabia or a modern-day war movie.
But on we walked. When we reached the edge of the beach where it runs into the channel, there was a small crowd of folks gathered on the shore to watch the dolphins playing. It was so much fun, it was like you could almost touch them they were so close. After the dolphins swam out into the deep, we turned to head back.

As we turned what we saw actually took our breath. It was the biggest, darkest, closest cloud I have ever seen. Not only that, it was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen at the beach. Far beyond the most beautiful sunrise or sunset. It almost looked like the picture above. There were no light clouds at the top of the sky. It was layers of deep blues in varied hues, mingled with smokey white to foggy gray clouds hanging in streaks over the blue. The beach rippled in motion with what seemed to be three different beaches amid the waves. It was almost to much to take in. As we continued to walk into the storm, we could see the faint white mast of a shrimp boat out in the distance. Wow.

As I looked at Tracy I had to laugh. She looked like someone trying to walk into a wind tunnel. As the rain begin to blow in our faces it felt like small pins stinging our skin. After we had walked a pretty good distance, I told Tracy that I had just had to stop. I wanted to cry because it was so beautiful. I had to stop and praise the Lord for the beauty that we were witnessing in the midst of the storm.

It seemed like it took us a good forty-five minutes, longer really, to make it back to the board walk where we had left our shoes.

It must have been that kind of storm on the sea when the disciples saw Jesus walking to them on the water. No wonder He said "peace be still". I know many of you have had just that too... peace in the storm. Or maybe you are in that storm right now. Stop where you are, lift your hands and praise Him... for He alone is worthy!

Even though I didn't have my camera, I stil have the picture in my mind. I hope it stays there for years to come as a visual reminder of the beauty that comes with the storms in our lives. It's my prayer for you that you have seen beauty in the storm.

God + Me = Me or God

2008-10-08T16:25:00.000-07:00

You know I got to thinking the other day about this whole Wellspring thing. As I was having my morning prayer time I told God that I believed He would super naturally provide for the funding for the Wellspring Home. But then I'll go write a grant proposal. So I had to ask myself after I prayed that prayer... how would that be super natural to do it like everyone else in Spartanburg County? Would God get the credit? I would give it to Him. But chances not very many people around here would hear or notice.

So here is my declaration as of Wednesday, October 9, 2008...
I do believe that God will do just what He has said. That part
of Wellspring is His yoke, not mine. Hence... I am hereby released from operating according to the world's system.

And when it happens... God will get all the glory and I will humbly bask in the comfort of His faithfulness as He provides for His daughters that will occupy the Wellspring Home.

Make me heart ready Lord... do whatever it takes. I trust YOU in ALL THINGS.

So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.
Acts 27:25 (New Living Translation)

five years and a day

2008-09-28T08:54:00.000-07:00

I sat down at my computer desk last night to catch up on a few blog readings. As I began to straighten up a few of the accumulated piles something caught my eye. I knew immediately that it was my ticket to the 2003 Beth Moore conference in Atlanta. As I picked it up and realized it was dated September 26-27th, how it took me back. Yesterday was the 27th. Five... count them five years have rolled by as we continue to make strides to start a Wellspring Living in Spartanburg, SC.

This past Thursday night we held our board meeting at what we believe and hope and pray will become the Wellspring Home. One of our board members asked me how I decided on Wellspring. My reply was that I had not decided on it at all, that God made that decision for me as I sat in that arena of 20,000 women.

Remember when God spoke to Elijah in that whisper? More than any other way, that is how God speaks to me too. So soft that it would be easy to ignore Him and pass it off as a fleeting thought of my own. But when I stop to listen and act - there is no doubt that it was Him.

But on that September day... He was using more than a whisper. It was more like the earthquake.

Then there was the day that Geraldine and I went to Atlanta to meet with Mary Frances and she gave us the hope of carrying the Wellspring name to SC. That was the day God spoke to me with the fire of the passion He had placed in my heart in 2003.

Then there was the wind... as I waited for the board to arrive at the home Thursday night, I went out to the swing in the back yard. As I imagined the healing that might take place in that very spot the wind began to blow so strong that it seemed to push the swing even higher (yes... even with me in it!!). It was as though God was speaking in the wind.

So five years and a day later I am still so humbled to walk this journey with my Lord. There is so much excitement to think about all that He is doing in our city and the world. When you realize all the redemptive work He has going on all at one time. Woo-Hoo! When we are reminded as we were Thursday night that He is and has more than enough for all of us.

So Lord... again... help me to cease striving and rest in You. To do the things you have told me to do so we can get on with our next step. I thank you for hearts inclined to your voice and your heart that come along side to get Your work done. May we forever be reminded of who we are in You. As my old friend Allen used to say... "may we not try to possess the power but rather may we be possessed by the power..."
Thank You that You speak in earthquakes, fires, strong winds and whispers...with written words, through other people, dancing girls on a stage, birds that sing,
we love you for being You and are more than thankful that we are YOURS!

This weeks fav song...

2008-09-20T05:47:00.000-07:00

Yours by Steven Curtis Chapman

Such Irony

2008-09-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

This morning I read something that really caught my attention...

When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned
with anger at him and asked, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle."
I Samuel 17:28

That seemed a little odd because yesterday I read what God had to say...

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
I Samuel 16:7

Isn't it ironic that God looked at David's heart and saw it for all it was worth and David's oldest brother looked into his heart and saw the total opposite? How many times have we been accused by those that are closest to us of motives, and actions that are as far as east to west from the truth?

And how many times have we listened to the voice of everyone but God for our self-worth? We think because of our sins or the opinion of others that God cannot use us or we are not worthy to be used. Yes, David was a young man here when all these conversation were going on, but God knew even then the sins David would commit in his lifetime. But when we think of David we always think of him as

"The Man After God's Own Heart"

No matter what, no matter where, may we too strive to live by what God has said about us over the opinion of others!

Just a tiny little question came to mind today...

2008-09-10T17:11:00.001-07:00

Is there much difference between a "lame duck president"
and a ""luke-warm Christian"?

I am guessing there is not.

We are always quick to point out others lack of commitment or effort like ours is of little concern.

“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye

when you have a log in your own?"

Luke 6:41 (New Living Translation)

Will I do what ? ? ?

2008-09-02T11:17:00.001-07:00

Will I give $100.00 to the democratic party for the upcoming election... huh? Do what?

My mind began to speculate as to why on earth they would be calling me. As I listened to the voice on the other end of the phone, she continued on and on with reasons why we did not want John McCain to be elected. That's when it dawned on me. . .

She thinks I am one of them.
She doesn't know where my loyalties lie. She is only following the lead of my actions.
She thought I was a part of their "family" because I voted in the SC Democratic Primary.

When she finally took I breath and I was able to tell her I am a registered Republican, she sounded rather surprised - said "thank you, have a nice day" and she hung up.

Like it or not - Democratic, Republican or Independent we are all the same at the end of the day.
I guess that's why people who are not Christ followers look at us and think we are no different than they are. We show up at church on Sunday and live like the world the other six days of the week. At the end of the day there are huge differences between us and the world. But only because we have the assurance of where we will spend our eternity.

We are registered "Christians" because our name is in the book.

But we do what I did back in the spring... we abandon our ship, we don't follow through with who we say we are. If our walk was only for us, it would be of little significance, but what Christ needs out of us is so much bigger and better than what we give to Him or the world.

You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry,
written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of
stone but on tablets of human hearts.
2 Corinthians 3:3

So, no thanks I don't want to give $100 to the Democratic party... but I do want to give 100% of myself to the work He has called me to.

May we all be living letters of His greatness to the world each and every day.

Finally....

2008-08-26T06:31:00.000-07:00

If you have visited lately, you have probably noticed I keep changing my background. After much searching I think I finally found a keeper. I loved the bold colors in a few of the others and what I love about this one are the colors but also the torn paper look.

With the world all buzzing about being "green" I wanted to show you a few of my favorite recycling projects just for fun.
These are all thanks to Jenn who taught me all about decoupaging.

An old trunk Sarah and I did as our first project

A set of clear glass plates with scrapbook paper

to match my bedroom

I couldn't find the wallpaper I wanted,

so I made me a quilt pattern
using about 15 different scrapbook patterns

A locker I purchased at a church yard sale in the midst of being papered

An old window frame with original paint

filled with outdated Mary Engelbreit calendar pages

My dressing room done with wallpaper samples

Those have been fun to do. Taking old things from scrap piles, salvage stores and yard sales. Some were made with brand new things and used in ways beyond what they were meant to be. There are lots more things I could show, but you get the picture. I think my favorite is my foyer. It took months of deciding on exactly which scrap book papers to use and decide how many sheets I would need of each pattern. Then when I actually started the project, it took forever or so it seemed. I would work on it a while and get tired and stop. A few miscalculations were made on the amount of paper. Some of my favorite patterns were purchased at the beach. I had friends who went back to try and find more of the same. When that didn't always work out I realized I would have to work new patterns into the mix. What I ended up with is one of my favorite spots in our house.

Below you will see the really big recycling project that is underway. It has been going on for way too many years to count. It has taken a lot of time and effort on the Crafter's part. Bless His heart... He must be worn out by now. I wonder how many times scrapping the whole thing seemed like the best thing to do.

Huh... "never"... you never thought once about throwing this one out!?!? Wow...

You see, we are all works of art in the greatest masterpiece ever. He knows that we are all worth saving. Once He has pulled us out of the scrap heap that we have worked our way into - we become little pieces of Him. We won't all end up in famous art galleries. He places us where we can reflect Him the best. So, wherever He has placed you today, be glad and rejoice and remember you are an ever changing reflection of your Creator. Hopefully we will all reflect Him bigger and better today than we did yesterday.

See ya ~ gotta go dance ~ it's raining outside and a little splashing around does a body good!

after all...Life isn't about how to survive the storm but how to dance in the rain!

piddly litte prayers

2008-08-24T09:53:00.000-07:00

The sermon topic for the third and final week at SCC was the subject of prayer. Hub's closing remark hit home as he closed in a very powerful prayer.

All of a sudden I realized that according to who God is... my prayers have been way to small.

Here is a thought... imagine Bill Gates has a son/daughter who wants or needs a new phone- Bill who could hook them up with the latest and greatest gets this request from them . . .

Hey dad, I saw in the paper that Walmart has their Trac Phones on sale this week. Do you think we could get me one?

Can you imagine how Bill would feel? Like his child didn't have a clue who he was or what he was.

Father forgive me for the countless times I have come into your presence and been clueless to who You really are. Lead me to immeasurably more in my prayer life.

God can do anything, you know— far more than you could ever imagine or guess
or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us. ~ Ephesians 3:20

Where have all the flowers gone?

2008-08-19T14:54:00.000-07:00

You'd have to come real close to being a bona fide "hippie" to remember that tune. But as I started thinking about this time of year and what it represents at our house, the words of the song kept coming to mind.

It was Ray who stirred my heart to think about such things - and there it was...

The mailbox.

To an untrained eye, it was just a normal mailbox on any given day of the week. But it's our mailbox on the first day of school. There are no more kids standing by our mailbox. That was the place we hurried off to before we left for the first day of school. I will have to confess that some years, the picture was probably made a week or so after school started. It was a picture record of how Jenn, P.J. and Sarah had grown from year to year.

I love to look at the old photos. The first year it wasn't even beside the mailbox and Jenn would probably kill me if I posted that one. She was (and still is) a beautiful child. The best mom ever to two very special little characters. P.J. is a self-employed brick mason, who still has the same tender heart he had as a child. Then there is Sarah. The other day my mom was kind of worried about her changing careers. I asked her "when has Sarah ever not landed on her feet?" Jennifer once asked what we did for entertainment before Sarah came along.

They are an amazing group of people. I miss the days by the mailbox. But I am thankful for new days and new places beyond the mailbox. I am glad that God allowed me to be part of their family!

Thinking about our my days as a "hands-on" mom, I think about all the times I goofed up so bad I sometimes cringe when we all get together and we take a stroll or two down memory lane. Often some of the memories seem more like night mares than sweet dreams.

Ahhhhh.... but then there is little thing called GRACE. Actually it's not a little thing at all. It's a great big thing my family and friends offer me when I have done an "A-number-one job" of being a total wretch.

Today Lord, help me to offer it to others with the same eagerness that I want to receive it. God bless our families each and every one... no matter what they look like.

Home

2008-08-03T14:21:00.001-07:00

Home. Hopefully it's a safe haven from the world for you. The place you cannot wait to get to at the end of the day.

This summer we had fun going to Charleston with our friends Larry and Tracy. It was sweet, beach by day (every day), pool in the afternoon and some of the best food ever in the evenings. I had my very first blueberry pie and never would have guessed I would love it so much. The best part was getting to spend time with our friends. As much fun as the trip was, it was good to be back home.

Most recently I have traveled back and forth to Raleigh for the birth of my granddaughter Charlotte Ruth, for her heart surgery when she was three days old. The next trip we went so Ray could see Jenn, Tim, Sam and Charlotte. The final trip was to help out when Charlotte was released from the hospital in record time. As much as I loved being with Jenn and her family during this very sweet and sacred time, when I walked into my bedroom on Saturday, it was good to be home.

When we've been away for fun or for difficult and unsure times, coming home usually represents a time back to what we know as normal. Back to a normal work week or routine. Back home because circumstances are well enough for life to resume the normal pace.

When I woke up Sunday morning it was as though I heard "welcome home" in my head. I thought it was funny because I had thought about being glad to be home, but this was welcome home.

I got dressed and headed off to church. As I looked at the bulletin I realized that we were observing The Lord's Supper. I remembered that was what we did our first Sunday at SCC back in January. At the beginning of the service we watched a video about The Lord's Supper and they spoke of being at home.
http://www.sermonspice.com/videos/840/suppertime--short-version-
When I heard the word "home" it literally took my breath. I asked of the Lord... is this my home? It doesn't feel like home, but then, I guess when Abraham followed God and pitched his tent it didn't either. I wondered if we would have to take that step of faith and cross on over before it will feel like home.

Father I trust you because you are a faithful God. You have walked me up many a mountain from the deep valleys below. On those days when it didn't seem like there was any reason to carry on... bless your heart... you carried me and on we went. We have cried, we have laughed and we have danced, oh, we have danced. I thank you for dancing feet, feet that long to be at home, wherever that is.
I love you :)

Insufficient Evidence...

2008-07-25T07:05:00.000-07:00

or so it seems.

This morning when I came to my computer to open my daily Harvest devotion I was a little confused when no daily scripture popped up. That's normal for Saturday, but not any other day of the week. In the place of the scripture was a tribute to Greg Laurie's son who was killed yesterday in a car accident.

Not so very long ago we heard of the tragic death of Maria Sue Chapman, daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman.

Just last Friday I was remembering my were abouts a year-ago to the day. Several of us had traveled from Wellford to Charleston to be with our dear friend Susan, Steve and their boys. Many of us had believed with all the faith we had that God was going to do this great healing miracle in Steve Dyar. Even after Steve had passed on over into glory, we were believing he would open those eyes again. After all, who better that Steve Dyar, right?

When all these tragedies are occurring to the most faithful of the faithful... where is God?

Is there sufficient evidence of His presence?

Many would say no. That the evidence of God's presence was insufficient, and thus turn away in anger, depression and for some maybe even hatred.

One of the scriptures that I have come to love is

I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the
LORD in the
land of the living.
Psalm 27:13

I understood what that meant a little better after Steve changed his residence. It seems as God is telling us that the goodness would be for us to get it "our way". But the true goodness comes in when we allow God's graces and truths to penetrate the marrow of our being in those most difficult times.

I knew that there was sufficient evidence as we came to realize that Steve's earthly life had ceased. When Susan Dyar said with a strong confidence to all of us in that room that day, especially to her sons, that we do not grieve as those with no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Then she ever so soundly said "hand me my Bible". I cannot tell you the verses she read. I do know it was one of those incomparable moments that I will forever hold dear in my heart. That room was pretty crowded with friends and family. I don't think one of us would say "where was God?". It was more than evident that He was there.

I imagine it was the same for the Chapman family and is also true of the Laurie family.

It is my prayer for you that no matter what has happened to you that you will allow the presence of God to invade your heart and bring you wholeness and healing. Your enemy has lied and is lying to you now. He is saying that it's not possible in your case.

He is kind of like an attorney who knows his client is guilty of all the crimes he is charged with. He is the one saying that there is insufficient evidence of God's presence in your hard times, knowing all the time that God was there.

Dive into God's Word; listen to those who have experienced His presence in times of trouble. Seek God with your whole heart and do not hold back. Be crazy in love with the one who knows you better than you know yourself.

One of the best parts of my life whether in good times or bad is my prayer group. We started out calling ourselves "The Women at the Well" because we were so desperate to see God move. We have changed faces and places as the years have come and gone. We saw our beloved sister Denise pass over into glory. We have grown from one prayer group to many. The thing we have carried with us is our belief in God's ability to be who He says He is and that H can and will do what He has said He will do. It doesn't always look like we think it will. But His Glory takes our breath each and every day.

We hope to always be found guilty of believing Him to be our everything.

Who knows... you may end wearing crazy homemade jewelry out in public just like us!

Stop and smell the roses

2008-07-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

Today we are taking a field trip away from the normal blog entry. Pretty much every post prior to today's has had a Wellspring theme or connection. Maybe before this one is complete God will have tied it together too.

But for today, I'd like to invite you into my recent trip to the "Rose Garden". Not that it was a formal garden of any kind, and there weren't really any roses, but just glorious displays from God's hand over the past week of our lives.

Most of you probably know that my daughter Jenn was pregnant with our little Charlotte Ruth. Dr.'s had seen some problems with Charlotte's heart months ago. So we were all prepared for a heart surgery after her birth. Jenn was scheduled to be induced on 7-13-08, But GOD had a different plan. Instead He sent her a week early on 7-7-08. We were thrilled that He had a say so and had relieved the Dr's of that little duty.

All the days ordained for me were written in
your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16

Then they told Jenn the maternity floor had no spaces and she would have to move to the 7700 hallway. 7730 to be exact. Hmmmm... sevens and threes.

Charlotte made her debut looking all pink and beautiful, that was great because Dr's had warned there was a chance that she might be blue. But there was none of that for her.

Then came the day before her surgery - Jenn told me that Charlotte had a surprise for me. I couldn't figure out what kind of surprise it could be. Then when I walked into her little p-icu room I saw it for myself... a beautiful LIME GREEN ribbon in her hair. Many have accused me of pulling that one off, but i have to confess that it must have been a gift from God, because He surely knows what LIME GREEN means around this part of the country!

Like the bow wasn't enough for us to know that God had Charlotte tucked securely away in the palm of His hand. There was a horrible storm in the area with wild winds, thunder and lightening. Jennifer and Tim were on their way home that night and called me when they were almost there. I was instructed to run outside and see what was hovering over their house.

You might have guessed a rainbow, and if you did you were close. It was a brilliant double rainbow that you had to see from the front door as well as the back door to see the entire thing. Just like God had purposely hung it right over their house. Who knows, maybe He did!

There were no worries, just sweet and peaceful sleep until the morning.

Surgery day started just like the night before ended. The trip to the hospital was as peaceful as it could be. Jenn and Tim got to spend some precious time with their baby girl before they took her to surgery. The hospital staff could not have been any better to Charlotte or her mom and dad. This part was really sweet to me. After they took Charlotte to surgery and we had gotten a bite to eat we made our way to the Children's wing of the Hospital. As Jenn sat down I noticed the quilt she was sitting under...

As Jenn sat under that picture i was reminded that this time last year she was heading to Botswana and all God's provisions in getting her there, her time there and her trip home. Especially of a dream, a prayer and a belief of Jenn and many black feet.

Then there was this whole song thing going on from the day Charlotte's diagnosis came until this past Sunday morning after her arrival. To put it in a nut shell worship service to worship service came full circle with the playing of this song then and now, with scripture from the song and the words on a quilt sandwiched in between.

This was the song He used ... Made Me Glad by Hillsong

So, that was a lot to follow for an untrained soul. You know I have to go around a block several times to get my point across. There are tons more I could have shared, but I have about tuckered myself out!

I would like to ask a personal question. Have you noticed all the little "roses" that God has planted along your journey? Have you been so bothered by your circumstances that along the way you have forgotten that you have the best ever tour guide who really knows His way around the garden? You know that was the first place He ever had a relationship, a friendship with His prize creation. Slow down, trust Him in all things big and small. Notice the things that are personal to you like lime green ribbons and rainbows or whatever that He has placed along your path to let you know you are not alone! I love whoever you are that may be reading this! I hope and pray that through the crazy ramblings of this Jesus girl you appreciate His love for YOU!

I know it's not Tuesday...

2008-07-02T16:56:00.000-07:00

It's really Wednesday, but there are two things I want to share today.
So it's a "Two for Tuesday" sort of thing.

I'll start with Immeasurably More because God certainly outdid Himself on Monday Night! I think it may have been immeasurably more than more if that's possible. Life Song Church had their "This Night" and had asked me to come and share about Wellspring. Amy Hickman who heads up their Aroma ministry had asked the women who were coming to bring a gift off of the Wellspring registry at Target. So, the ladies paid for a ticket to come, bought gifts and took up a love offering to top off the night!

Did I say love offering? Those sweet ladies gave over one thousand dollars to Wellspring! That's where the more than more comes in. The gifts were unbelievable, but the love offering was truly over the top. It is such affirmation that we are moving God Speed into this, following where He leads. It was evident that He showed up and showed out. I'm ever so thankful that He allows me to hang out with Him in all of this! It is an amazing journey.

Part two probably deserves it's own post. If I had done that I would title it

because that seems to be the theme of things lately. Monday night that was the title of the song that we ended the evening on. But more than that, God gave me a true revelation about a week ago. I was driving down the same old road I travel everyday that I work at Middle Tyger Community Center. As I came up to my final turn before getting to the main highway, is when it happened. For the first time in my life God revealed to me what it meant to have a new day before me. Many of you are probably thinking I have lost it, but stay with me! I know that every day is a new day, but for the first time ever it dawned on me that it feels the same because everything I see and everything I do most days are repeated over and over again. All of a sudden there was such an excitement in my soul to actually realize this new day was unfolding moment by moment before me. The lie had always been "same old... same old" - no more!

Same old... same old has given way to brand new, brand new! It is so amazing to wake up every morning and realize that it's a new start. This day has never been before, so I have a new day with new possibilities that maybe I didn't have yesterday! A chance to believe like I have never believed before. A chance to forgive, a chance to love, a chance to trust! I have savored knowing that even this moment right here has never been! Now that has changed my world. I don't know if I could translate to you what God did for me that morning. It was like looking at a whole new world.

It's coming up on July Fourth... it's my prayer for you that you walk in all the freedoms that you have not only as an American (if you are) but more so that you walk in the freedoms granted you by Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living GOD!

It's All About YOU!

2008-06-13T06:56:00.000-07:00

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Ten years ago this September I had the opportunity of a lifetime to travel with some of my dearest friends and partners in ministry to General Santos City in the Philippines. It was one of those Immeasurably More times in my life, in all our lives.

The last night we were there, we were in the backyard of one of the friends we had made during our stay. Larry and I had been having this ongoing conversation all week long. You see, with all God was doing in my life I was certain the trip was all about me. But with all I had seen God do in Larry's life (and everyone elses too) I could see that Larry had a very good argument to why he thought the trip was all about him. So here we are in the middle of the party trying to make sense of it all, when there out of nowhere stepped Pastor Rodney Moore from Beaumont, Texas and handed me his Walkman. He said there is a song that I feel like you should hear. Well guess what? As soon as I finished listening, I passed it on to Larry and said "you are not going to believe this!" That Rodney, wow, that Jesus... there are no words.

When we got back on American soil Larry made it a priority to make sure we each had a copy of it. The original was by Dave Fellingham, but I could not find his version on the Internet.

I say all that to say that I love how God works things and people and places in our lives and 99.9% of the time I think we are oblivious to it. But then, every now and again He lets us have a tiny little glimpse into what He is doing.

One of those times happened to be June the 12, 2008 at six thirty in the evening, a small group of eight met at LifeSong Church in Lyman for the first official board meeting of Wellspring Living SC. To most people we would have looked like a group of misfits with not a lot in common with each other. But as I looked around at the group God was assembling, I knew that they each realized it is all about Him, and His plan of grace, mercy, redemption and restoration. The sweet thing is, it will not just be for the Wellspring Women who will live in our Wellspring Home, it will be for all of us too. I realized as I sat there that each of them possess a great gift of hearing from the Lord and moving in what they hear. As thoughts of the meeting and the faces continued on in my head, what I also realized about our little group is they all love to worship the Lord out loud. They are not silent, nor ashamed of their love nor their convictions.

As the meeting came to a close we had our to-do-list. Was it filled with business agendas and people to call and decisions to toil over? No, it was a simple prayer list of specific prayers we need to be praying.

Father, we acknowledge that this ministry reflects your heart beat and we submit ourselves to you, your wisdom and your way, after all... it is all about You....

We, your servants love and adore you...

Immeasurably More

2008-06-05T06:56:00.000-07:00

A month or so ago I was challenged by my friend Martha to pray "Immeasurably more Lord" to see what God would do. Part of the challenge was to move something out of its ordinary place so when I went to reach for it in the old place I would speak the words... Immeasurably More.

So I moved things in my office, living room, and shower. I even used my lime green fingernail polish and put a green dot on the face of my watch. As I would reach for Kleenexes, shampoo or look for the time I would whisper those words...Immeasurably More. One morning as I reached for the shampoo I added "how much longer will I have to wait to see Immeasurably More?"
Well let me tell you - I didn't have to wait long at all.
Jesus was about to show me Ephesians 3:20 close up, personal and WAY MORE than I would have ever hoped for!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us...

to the greater power! That was on a Sunday morning as I was getting ready for church. That afternoon I noticed I had a voice mail. As I listened to the message I was blown away by what I heard, but more so by who was calling to leave the message.

Please understand that with all God has done to bring Wellspring here, my greatest fear was that it would be here and we would be so unprepared. We would have the house, we would have the women coming in for help and they would have me! After all I had the Wellspring manual of what they do. I have their curriculum of how they do it. I had all I need to make it happen. You see, I can read a manual all day long, bit what works best for me is to see it.
I did get to spend one night in the Atlanta home. But one night wasn't going to do it!

So my voice mail went something like this...

Susan, this is _ __ _ from Atlanta, and I was wondering if there was
anything I could do to help you get started in SC.

Anything she could help us do? ? ? As the message settled into my heart, I realized this was an immediate answer to my morning Immeasurably More prayer. She had been a counselor for about a year and was looking to do more.
I had met her briefly at the Demand Conference that I attended in April.
Mary Frances had spoken so highly of her.

Could we use her? Wow!

God had done Immeasurably More - - way more than I would have ever thought or dreamed!

The monkey was off my back!

God never intended for me to do what He has fashioned her heart to do!

Don't you love it when God makes it so clear?

When He calls us to do something - we usually have a small part in a very large picture!

Now that's a reason to DANCE!

All the more proof that indeed - His yoke is light! I don't have to do it all or be it all!
I can just be me and that's enough as long as I am operating where He has gifted me and placed me.

It is my prayer for each of you that you too have discovered that His yoke is easy, and if you are too burdened by the yoke you are carrying, you might want to be sure the yoke is from Him!
Would you take the challenge and pray Immeasurably More for yourself?

I love each of you and thank you for what you are doing for the kingdom of God. As the song says... we are all in this together...

Dance for Me

2008-05-09T10:27:00.000-07:00

This has absolutely nothing to do with anything that I am aware of. But over the past few weeks God keeps taking me back and I think perhaps He wants me to share the story with you! Who knows, maybe He has done the same thing for you. If He has be sure to let us know.

I don't even know how many years ago this was. I do know it was during the time that John Moore was at WBC for chapter II! Rick Warren from Saddleback Church was coming to Myrtle Beach for a Celebrate Recovery Conference. It seemed really logical to get some info since we try to know and be and do as much as we can for our community at MTCC. So Wanda sent (agreed) for Donna Dawkins and me to go. We were so grateful that Lisa Foster also went with us. She may not be. It was the first time she had ever traveled with us (me)!

The conference was great and as it turns out Celebrate Recovery is part of the Wellspring restoration plan. Who would have ever guessed way back then that God was already preparing my head and my heart for what He had in store.

I cannot tell you what hotel we stayed in other than to say it had lots of floors and surely we must have been near the very top.

I cannot tell you how many nights we were there.

But what I can tell you is that one night when we got to our room, we went out onto the balcony and looked down. There in the biggest letters you have ever seen were the words

"DANCE FOR ME"

They were so big that we went out on the beach to see them at ground level. There were huge. If you think I am exaggerating, please ask Donna or Lisa to confirm what I have said. They were so big, so perfectly straight, so equal in size from the first letter to the last.

I just have to say... I think God Himself reached down and decided He, Himself wanted to write a love letter in the sand.

Many people ask me why I have my dancer magnet on my Forerunner.

That's why. If He loved me enough to ask me, me of all people to dance for Him... count me in! I might not be the prettiest or most graceful dancer you'll ever see. But hopefully if you see me or have seen me acting a fool in the middle of my driveway, backyard, office, church, beach or mountain top now you know why. He is the best dancin' partner a girl could ever hope for. He has yet to complain that I haven't an ounce of rhythm or two left feet. Maybe it's because when I'm dancing with Him, He sweeps me off my feet as we dance to our favorite songs. It is like strolling down memory lane remembering how each song is a reminder of His love and faithfulness as well as the hope of what He has yet to do! Lead on King Jesus... lead on in the dance of life. It is my honor and pleasure to be your dance partner.

I guess He had heard me sing and thought I should try dancing instead!

Now I'm not proud enough to think I was the only one that received the invitation to dance from Him. It's my prayer for every person who saw those letters in the sand that you too said "YES!"

Craziness

2008-04-28T08:02:00.000-07:00

I just sometimes have to stop and profess out loud to the Lord...

"THIS IS CRAZY!"
It still makes no sense whatsoever to me that God would or could allow me to be part of Wellspring Living. A few weeks ago I had the very special privilege to go to Atlanta and say a few words at a conference they were holding. The greatest part was that I spent the night in the Wellspring Home and met 6 beautiful young women, seven including the coach.
I arrived at the house a little while before Mary Frances (Atlanta Ministry President). It was such a beautiful day, I decided to sit out in the warm air. While I was sitting there I noticed the shadow of a bird. As I looked up I saw that it was a hawk. I looked again and there were two.
Off in the distance there was another. They soon joined together and began to circle over the Wellspring Home. It was all I could do not to cry. It was as though God was showing me a symbol of His protection over Wellspring.
I did a Google search to see what the hawk might represent. Here are a few things that popped up from the search...
... a yearning for freedom
... new power

I like that! A yearning to be free from the past and exchanging the old for the new!

One of the ladies I met had only been in the home a week. She had traded prison clothes for jeans and tees. You could see the new power had already begun to transform her. All she did was giggle and laugh and had the sweetest demeanor about her. As she shared her life story, I felt like she was going to make it. Determined to let God win this battle she had fought most of her life. You go girl! YOU GO GOD!!! Do Your thing Lord... do Your thing!!

God - YOU are wild and wonderful and YOU do the craziest of things in the craziest of ways!
May we be aware of you in the things we see around us. Help us to understand You the best we can! Be blessed always and forever... suz

Ready, set - - - - - go!

2008-04-14T15:43:00.000-07:00

Seems as though we are getting a little closer to the dreaded thing that I have been putting off for sometime now. No, it is not a trip to the dentist! Not that I don't need to do that too. Maybe one day Gretchen and I can do that together.
I did do one thing the other week when I went and talked to my friend that owns "The HOUSE". That one turned out really great. But then there is the trip to see the owner of the Wellspring Store. I don't know why I am so afraid to go. But I am! God has twice through scripture told me that the owner's heart is prepared. I know he won't hurt me or harm me. The worst thing he can do is throw me out of his office or say "no". And I guess that is what scares me most. That after all this putting off, I missed God.
God continued to confirm last week that not only has He prepared the owners heart, but He has done a little prep work with me too. Several of us went to SCC to hear Ruth McWhite speak last week. One of the scriptures she shared was from

Jeremiah 1... I'll tell you where to go and you'll go there.I'll tell
you what to say and you'll say it. Don't be afraid of a
soul.I'll be right there, looking after you." God's
Decree. God reached out, touched my mouth, and said,
"Look! I've just put my words in your mouth—hand-delivered!See
what I've done? I've given you a job to do among nations and
governments—a red-letter day!

I like a red letter day... that must mean Jesus is speaking - right? So, even if the gentleman says "no" that will be OK. The outcome is more about my obedience and giving God the opportunity to speak than the owner saying "yes". Yes, would be the icing on the cake. The cake would be the opportunity we have in representing Christ to a lost world.

Then, like that WORD wasn't enough... I called a friend of mine who knows the owner and his wife and asked her if she might be interested in going with me. She said yes, that we needed to set a day and fast and pray leading up to it.
I was doing my daily Bible reading and JUST HAPPENED to be at

Matthew 21... You'll find a donkey tethered there, her colt with her. Untie her
and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you're doing, say, 'The Master needs
them!' He will send them with you."

I had read that story many times, but never realized that Jesus asked for the donkey and her colt! Why He needed tow, I don't know. But it sure was sweet to feel like He was saying that it was part of His plan to take someone with me!
The sweet part is "any old donkey will do" and now she has more help to get it done!

So please pray for our hearts and our words and all that God has ordained for the day we go and do it! I'll let you know when we schedule an official date.

Mucho-thanks for the prayers!

Cease Striving

2008-04-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

The new pics above are commonly know as the "Money Plant". Many years ago on a small mountain top, our prayer group gathered for brunch and a time of prayer. Our dear friend Denise gave us all seed packets containing seeds for what you see in the pictures above. The seed pack was titled "Everlasting" and the plant is also known as "Honesty". I struggled year after year to get some to grow. Results... nothing. Many years after the mountain top gathering my daughter Sarah's best friends mom and dad were killed in a tragic accident. Many days after the accident, I would go to their house and just sit in the drive way and cry. On one of those days I noticed something growing in the wooded area in front of their house. It was the dried silvery disk of the Money Plant scattered all around. I gathered many stalks and took them home with me as a remembrance of Mike and Jo and of what had once been.
When we moved into our new home in 2003, I put a few of the stalks in an arrangement on our front porch. The following spring I noticed something growing behind the white fence at the end of our driveway. I asked Ray not to cut it or spray it, but to let it grow in case it was something we liked. I didn't recognize it when the purple blooms first opened. As the weeks passed and the blooms gave way to these round green disks, I wondered could it be? Then a few weeks later I knew for certain that it was the Money Plant. What I had tried so hard to do resulted in nothing. What God did resulted in the desires of my heart becoming a reality.
There was only one stalk and it grew to be at least a foot tall with hundreds of little shimmering disks. One morning as I came to my driveway at the end of my morning walk "Days of Elijah" had just started playing on my ipod. How could my walk end when the song was only beginning? As I danced in our driveway I spotted what seemed to be the best pom-pom a cheerleader ever had.
You guessed it... the money Plant! I danced and shook, and danced and shook. As I did, all the seeds began spilling out from under the little covers. That was two years ago. (They are biennials) Last year when all these little green plants popped up I knew what they were and how the might have ended up all over the place. If it wasn't raining so today, I would go out and count them to see just how many did take root and are covered with the purple blooms today.

They are a reminder to me that just like Wellspring, God placed the desire in my heart and all my work will result in nothing unless it is work ordained by Him. Just like the Money Plant... in His time Wellspring will be established just like the plants growing in my yard.

Thank you Lord, for hearts desires that you plant and water and grow. Thank you for what is and what is yet to come. We worship You with a grateful heart.

Memories

2008-04-02T04:19:00.001-07:00

It's a good thing when you can know that you know that you know. When you start getting invitations from AARP, it's sometimes another thing to be able to remember all that you might at one time have known.
The latest thing to prompt the question... "did I know that?" came this week. On Monday, I read Matthew 14 where Jesus fed the five thousand. Then on Tuesday as I was reading Matthew 15, there Jesus was feeding the four thousand. Did I remember that He did that on two different occasions? I think so. It seems as though the first time Jesus fed the crowds was only days before He fed the second group. It just seemed a little odd that the disciples are asking Him such a question in Matthew 15:33... "where could we get enough bread in this remote area to feed such a crowd?"
I had to "lol" They sure were slow learners.
Then I think Jesus Himself must have been "lol" at me!

There are a lot of things we are asking related to Wellspring. Things like where on earth are we going to get the money to buy the house? The house! Where on earth are we going to get enough money to sustain the ministry? Where on earth are we going to get coaches to live with our girls? How on earth are we (am I) going to be able to pull such a grand plan off?
Then there is my personal life apart from the ministry. I have many things I am asking God "how God, how?"

Slowly, the old noggin' kicks back in and says... "oh Susan, don't you remember the time when God did..." Yes Lord, I do remember.

If you have never done Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby, may I strongly recommend it?
In the book Henry talks about spiritual markers. Things that God does throughout our lives and we place stones of remembrance like the Israelites did. As I went throughout the day yesterday, God reminded me of one that I would like to share with you.

In the spring of 1999, someone very dear to my heart was arrested in Asheville. When we were preparing to go and bring him home we were told that it would cost us $150 to get him out. What they didn't tell us was that $150 was only if you went through a bails bondsman. We (Jenn and me) realized after we were standing there with our $150 that what we really needed was $1500. We searched the Asheville skyline for bank signs and proceeded to see what we could do with our ATM cards. Before we put the cards into the machines we prayed and told the Lord that if it was His will for us to do this, He would have to provide. Taking everything we could from the accounts we could access, along with the $150 that we had to start with we were still $20 short.
Was it not the Lord's will? How could we come so close and not make it? Then all of a sudden Jenn remembered that her grandmother had given her $20 for gas money! We had to the penny all that we needed.
Jesus came through with exactly what we needed!

So for everything I have been wondering "how?" God has an answer. He has reminded me through His forgetful disciples that just like in times past... He can do it again!

I don't know what you might need to be reminded of from your past with our great God. Search your memories and know that He is the same. He can do it again... and again... and again!

Now that calls for a BIG WOO - - HOO ! !

Taste and see

2008-03-30T03:54:00.000-07:00

Taste and see that the LORD is good;

blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Psalm 34:8

This week we had almost $3000 worth of books come in for the Wellspring Home.

It was a little different from other shipments that we have been ordering. Previous shipments included different studies and materials that will be used to lead our Wellspring Girls to understand there is healing to be found. As I was unpacking theses boxes there was an excitement in my spirit that was not there before. I was reminded of...

He sent forth his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.
Psalm 107:20

This shipment contained many translations of God's Word. I could imagine our girls digging in deep and wanting to know all they could. That they will grasp hold of the Truth of how they are loved by God and the Truth of who they are in Christ. It was a sweet moment. It made me hungry to wrap my arms around them and start loving on them.

Prepare our hearts Lord to walk into this destiny that You have set before us! Make us ready.

A special prayer request for some very special friends of the Wellspring ministry... Jeff and Amy Hickman and Brian George of Lifesong Church in Lyman. They are headed to Las Vegas where they have a church plant. How exciting to see God moving and connecting His People... His Body... His BRIDE! Woo - hoo that's us!

Love and thanks...

Time out...

2008-03-26T06:42:00.000-07:00

Today, I'll take a different position. Instead of sharing news or prayer request, today I simply and humbly ask you to join with us as we worship our Lord. If you cannot open the You Tube version to the left, try God Tube .
We are so thankful to be a part of His family. Worship Him fresh and new today!

We love you Lord!

The Paul Harvey of it all

2008-03-19T06:59:00.000-07:00

So here is the story of the step I took yesterday. I had looked at a house last week. When I first Googled directions, I knew it was close by, but did not recognize the street name. As I got closer to it's location, I realized that I know whose house it is.
When I walked in through the front door all I could do was cry. God's spirit was so sweet and His presence was very evident. As we walked through the house it seemed that it would be the perfect location, house, setting. If God has an Ephesians 3:20 on this one... I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE IT!
So my step was talking to the owner. I was really glad I had known the person for over 20 years. They already knew I was crazy, so they weren't caught off guard. It reminded me of the day that Geraldine and I went to Atlanta to meet Mary Frances. God blessed us both.
Their realtor had shared with them what the interested party wanted to use the house for. The wife cried upon hearing.
It was a blessed meeting and I can't wait to see what God does from this point.

And of course when I got home and checked the mail, there was a card from my sweet friend Martha. Here is a small portion of what she had written...God is reminding me to pray for "The Great House of God." He had friends praying before I ever asked.

I felt like a toddler who is struggling to take that first step. I knew my Abba Father was there right in front of me with His arms stretched toward me all the while saying ... "come on Susan, you can do it!"

Woo- hoo thank you Lord for arms to fall in to! For steps taken and that your Glory is always there all along!

Maybe you are tottering on the edge of a step He has called you to. Be blessed as you put that foot out into the wild blue yonder!

Yes, God does have a sense of humor!

2008-03-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

Today at 12:37 right before I left home for my 1:00 appointment I headed to my bedroom. I wanted to get face down before the Lord and just be still and worship Him before I left home. I decided to take my ipod and let Jesus pick the song for the moments together. I turned it on, selected shuffle songs and could not believe my ears when "Sometimes by Step" with Rich Mullins and Bebo Norman started playing. If you are not familiar with the song here is the chorus...

Oh God, You are my God And I will ever praise You Oh God, You are my God And I will ever praise You I will seek You in the morning and I will learn to walk in Your ways and step by step You'll lead me and I will follow You all of my days ...

If the shoe fits... you might as well wear it

2008-03-18T04:15:00.000-07:00

Many years ago, me dear friend Tracy called me a weenie. I went to great lengths to reason with her why I was being smart and not putting myself in a position to choke on both my feet at once. On and on I rambled as to why I was not a weenie. Well, on Monday, March 17th during my morning prayer time I came face to face with the truth that I, indeed, am a weenie.

Time after time I have shared the Words that God has placed before me as a road map for the direction I am to take with Wellspring. Time after time I have waited on Him not only to open the doors he has set before me, but to pull me through from the other side. Or better yet send someone from the other side out and say "here lady, your order is ready". Where is the faith in that? It is so easy for me to believe that God is, that God will, that God has. Right after our Broken to Beautiful Conference was over, I started a solo journey of Discerning the Voice of God. Then in January we started attending Spartanburg Community Church. On into the month I started the Beth Moore Bible study Stepping Up. They all had one similar thread running through... what is your next step? I have known for months what a few of the ministry related next steps are. And here I confess to you as I confessed to the Lord yesterday... i am afraid.

I will be the first to shout what I believe from the roof tops, because I'm good at being loud. I can talk about the goodness and the greatness of God all day. I believe every word that I say. I do believe He will do what He has promised for E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. I know He is faithful in His part. Then there is this little part He requires of me... the next step. Putting that foot through the doorway He has opened. Thankfully He has said no man can shut it or I would be in trouble for sure.

Something caught my eye the other day, a piece of hot pink paper on the side of my refrigerator. On it are the Words from Revelation 3:8... "I see what you've done. Now see what I've done. I've opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don't have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn't deny me when times were rough."
It's been there since August 2006.

Then there was the day at WBC when Allen shared a scripture during the morning prayer time.
Proverbs 21:1...The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (God actually gave that one again sitting with Madonna at El Molcajete one night)

Then there was this past weekend when God gave Matthew 7:7 not once, but twice..."Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

So friends... today - I AM TAKING A NEXT STEP!

Please pray against any fear on my part. God has gotten me through too many things for me to revert back to being that weenie!

I love you and wouldn't make it without your sweet prayer support!

Know that you know that you know!

2008-03-06T08:01:00.000-08:00

I love reading and studying and finding nuggets of truth that resonate in my spirit. Don't you?
This was my latest discovery and I would like to encourage you with it...

"You don't have to wait until you see the answer with your senses to know that you possess it."
-Jennifer Kennedy Dean - Riches Stored in Secret Places

Oh how I pray that is true for each of you who read this. Have you asked God for things? Do you know He is a God (the only one as a matter of fact) that responds to our hearts cry? Are you anxiously awaiting His response? I hope that your heart starts beating a little faster and an uncontrollable smile springs forth across your face. As someone once said to me... "a smile that Ajax wouldn't wash" off with the anticipation of His movement. I won't go into all the things that I know I already possess in my spirit... but, oh! the day that they become reality that I can wrap my arms around ! Woo - Hoo to the HIGHEST!
Trust Him in all things, believe Him for all things for He is worthy of your trust!

So... on to the most recent Wellspring Living SC happenings...

Today I spoke with a sweet sister from Charlotte who was in hopes that our particular WLSC location would be near Rock Hill so she could be involved. After we shared stories of God's movement, I am hoping she will be the one who will start a Wellspring in the Charlotte area. IS God grander than we think or what? A few months ago I felt like we would be part of the Wellspring NATION! Maybe you wonder is it really necessary. To quote a portion of Ephesians 3:20... more than you can imagine. The reported statistics are 1 of every 4 women and 1 of every 6 men were sexually abused as children. If that's what is reported, can we even fathom what the true statistics are? Join us as we pray for D.R. and that if it's God's calling on her life to be part of this, she will know without hesitation.

I also made a phone call to a young lady I met in Atlanta last August. When I met her, she had just returned from a 3 month stay in Cambodia where she worked with girls who had been rescued out of the sex slave industry. She has such a heart for the Wellspring girls we will one day serve. She has done an internship at the Atlanta home. I have invited her to be our first coach. We have not spoken other than voice mail. Please also pray for what will become of this.
- - - Just hard from her and she has once again been globetrotting for the Lord! She has such a sweet heart for young girls and women who have become victims of human trafficking. She was working with Nightlight Bangkok while she was away. She just accepted a position yesterday with a group in Atlanta. She will be a great advocate for the young women in Atlanta who have lived through horrors we cannot imagine.
So, there you go... just when you think you have God figured out and tried to stuff Him in a little box. No way. His plans far exceed my own. It just sounded like a plan that would work! Back to the drawing board A-G-A-I-N!

We are continuing to pursue board members.

I almost forgot! We have started looking at houses! That has been fun going into different places and seeing the potential. That goes back to our being prepared. It was decided that perhaps if someone had some money to give and asked how much we needed, we might have an educated starting point.

Oh be blessed today with a fresh view of His provision, feel it in your hearts, live a life of thankful worship before Him!

Love to you all!
Suz

Filling our lamps...

2008-02-11T04:51:00.000-08:00

Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. - Matthew 25:2-4

Well, we intend on being counted among the wise on this one! Last Thursday, Gretchen, Joe(Gretchen's son) and I made a giant step in "filling our lamps with oil" in preparation for what is yet to be. We went to Target and started a gift registry for Wellspring Living SC. This may seem foolish to some, but He has said He was going to do this thing, and He is after all, a MAN of HIS WORD!
Many of you may recall that in my own personal life there is this "thing" that God has promised He was in the midst of doing and late one night He spoke to my heart and said..."live your life as if I have already done it!"
So it seemed like if it was a good thing in one area, it might be smart to apply it to other areas where we have seen Him on the move. I may have never been a Girl or Boy Scout ... but a person that walks with Jesus better have on his or her preparedness!

Another reason to be excited... we are now up to two official board members and counting! We will give a complete list in the days ahead.

I have a sweet story to tell about someone else we will be inviting to come along beside us on the journey. But I will have to wait, because if she reads this before we offer the invitaion it would spoil the fun. All I will say is that God shows up in the most unexpected places at the most unexpected times to whisper in our ears. It's good to hear the whisper!

God of Wonders

2008-01-29T06:33:00.000-08:00

Isn't it the truth that His ways are not our ways? And I am thankful for it! Thank goodness we are created in His image and not the opposite! Great things are starting to unfold. I have this mental picture of this little group of three (so far) making plans ... big plans! Then I look at my "to do list" and am a little overwhelmed. I wonder how can I do all of this? Then, out of now where comes the gentle reminder that I am just a small part of a larger team. May it ever be so Lord. The great thing is - I don't even know who all the team members are!

On Monday morning God had the sweetest surprise waiting for me. A friend of mine presented me with a check. She shared how God has placed Wellspring on her heart. Each year she selects a ministry to support throughout the year. She chose us. Rather... God chose us! That means we have our first pledge, a monthly donor. She said that even though it was a small amount that God had impressed upon her heart that we had to start somewhere. We are so honored for the work of the Holy Spirit in hearts and lives.

Later that day Ray and I met at the Cracker Barrel for dinner. As I headed to the table where he was already seated I saw some ladies that I know, but don't know that well. One of them came over and sat down at our table and asked about the ministry. Did we have a house yet? What kind of house would we be looking for? A question we often get. But this time there was a different response. She had heard me speak at Jackson Baptist in November. She shared that as I talked about the house then, she had one in mind. The glory of what she shared on Monday night... she is meeting with the owner of the house on Tuesday(she is a Realtor!!). It seems as though she is a Wellspring Ministry Representative too! Who would have ever guessed???
You may recall that I had a similar experience in August when I spoke at Lifesong Church. One of their ministry leaders had been talking with a local dentist to see about having dental care provided for our Wellspring Girls!
We have also had the commitment of makeovers and new dos from a sweet cosmetologist that attended the Broken to Beautiful conference in October.

We ask that you continue to pray over this God thing that He is sharing in our midst! I love it when He starts moving and being true to His character and invites us in and blesses us with good seats to the main event!

Sounds like the perfect time for our favorite Woo - Hoo... ZA Celebration Dance and Shout!

Prayer request... We turned in our Letter of Inquiry to the Spartanburg County Foundation last Friday. If approved, we will then be able to submit a grant for $15, 750.

Milestones in the making...

2008-01-16T10:28:00.000-08:00

This week marks another big step in the "next step" category. On Thursday morning we will meet for the first official Borad/Staff Planning Retreat for WLSC. All THREE of us are so excited. The two staff are myself and Gretchen and our one board member so far is Madonna. We have much to discuss and many plans to make. Did I say we are so excited??

This past weekend I was cleaning out closets and such when I came across the first email correspondence I had with Mary Frances Bowley (Atlanta ministry founder) prior to our first meeting. Almost two years to the day. It was a timely reminder of God's faithful provisions since that time. I had no idea that we would be allowed to bring the Wellspring name here into our area. It is an honor to do so. I pray that we will continue the tradition of excellence that they have constantly modeled before us in all we do.

The one thing we truly desire is that you would cover us in prayer. Asking that the decisions we make will be led by the Spirit of the True and Living God.
We humbly appreciate all your prayer and excitement along side us as we continue to seek our Lord's Beautiful Heart and Face.

Happy New Year Wellspring!

2007-12-16T13:27:00.000-08:00

As of today, January 7, 2008 I began my first official day

of reporting to work at Wellspring Living SC.

After many years of praying and praying some more,

some official baby steps have been made.

This is a portion of my journal entry for the day...

Where will I go?

What will I do?

Only God knows because I can say with confidence...

"I know the plans He has for me, plans to prosper me and benefit me"

He alone knows the plans that are before me today.

He alone is the builder of Wellspring Living SC, I am simply His apprentice,

waiting to hear from Him.

As Confucious once said... "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

Although many steps have been taken on this journey, the step represented by today's reality, will give concentrated time and energy to making the vision a reality.

Today representd a new beginning of a thirty-hour work week with MTCC and two days a week devoted to Wellspring LivingSC (WLSC).

Today I was able to attend a workshop hosted by the Spartanburg County Foundation.

Gretchen would be proud to know how many times I wrote in my notes "thank you Lord for Gretchen and the gifts and knowledge she brings with her". I may be able to make us pretty, but hallelujah she's the one that will keep us legal.