Tasting the Goodness of the Father in the Pacific NW
Tue, Jan 2008 08:42 | Permalink
I've spent the past few days speaking in Bellevue and Tacoma, basking in the love of the Father and leading others into a renewed season of remembering the goodness of God. On Tuesday night, I'll be speaking at Revival Town in Olympia - releasing more of the same.
What a privilege to be the first speaker of the new year in these churches pastored by old friends & new. The Word of the Lord for the Pacific NW seems to be emerging on one singular theme - 2008 is the year to practice childlike faith, keep the goodness of the Father within sight, and drop old expectations and false notions about a negative and stingy God, so that you have room to receive the new.
How quickly we forget that the Father is good, wants the best for us, provides for us, offers us a refuge of security and strength and longs for us to draw nearer every day. The rocky road of rational adulthood must give way to us becomming like children so that we may inherit all the Father longs to reveal to us of His kingdom. It is the child who embraces revelation most easily. It is the one who is trusting and secure in his Father's love who goes forth into the day without depression, anxiety or worry. Confidence and trust comes through abiding in the Father's love.
As I've ministered, the keyboardist plays in the background so that worship never stops. And in that atmosphere of worship, I pause from my speaking to release people into a deeper presence of the Lord, praying over them and giving them opportunity to hear the Lord speaking directly to them. And then I go on into another segment of the message. As a result, people open up more easily to the ever present love of the Father; let go of past hurts, shame and guilt; embrace His words of love and acceptance; and come into a true experience of God. Prophetic words and healing come forth naturally in such an atmosphere of His presence where listeners are attuned to the the voice of the Lord more than the voice of the speaker.
We are having a blast and the best is yet to be in 2008!!! Depression has lifted from several people, anxiety gives way to peace, and a couple of people who have PTSD have suddenly found themselves lifted into the presence of the Lord and healed!! The spirit of God had saturated many people who once thought they would never, ever be able to experience His presence so intimately. Intimacy seems to the key healing factor in everyone's lives. And as I've ministered, obstacles to intimacy have fallen away allowing people to embrace the goodness and love of the Father for the first time or for the first time in a long time.
The kingdom of God is about relationship.
2008 is the year of new beginnings of intimacy with a good and loving Father. So forget New Year's resolutions, come to the Father like a child, lay your weary head upon His shoulder and snuggle in for awhile. Everything else will fall into place from there.
Many blessings on your new year!!!
Julia
http://www.julialoren.net/
What a privilege to be the first speaker of the new year in these churches pastored by old friends & new. The Word of the Lord for the Pacific NW seems to be emerging on one singular theme - 2008 is the year to practice childlike faith, keep the goodness of the Father within sight, and drop old expectations and false notions about a negative and stingy God, so that you have room to receive the new.
How quickly we forget that the Father is good, wants the best for us, provides for us, offers us a refuge of security and strength and longs for us to draw nearer every day. The rocky road of rational adulthood must give way to us becomming like children so that we may inherit all the Father longs to reveal to us of His kingdom. It is the child who embraces revelation most easily. It is the one who is trusting and secure in his Father's love who goes forth into the day without depression, anxiety or worry. Confidence and trust comes through abiding in the Father's love.
As I've ministered, the keyboardist plays in the background so that worship never stops. And in that atmosphere of worship, I pause from my speaking to release people into a deeper presence of the Lord, praying over them and giving them opportunity to hear the Lord speaking directly to them. And then I go on into another segment of the message. As a result, people open up more easily to the ever present love of the Father; let go of past hurts, shame and guilt; embrace His words of love and acceptance; and come into a true experience of God. Prophetic words and healing come forth naturally in such an atmosphere of His presence where listeners are attuned to the the voice of the Lord more than the voice of the speaker.
We are having a blast and the best is yet to be in 2008!!! Depression has lifted from several people, anxiety gives way to peace, and a couple of people who have PTSD have suddenly found themselves lifted into the presence of the Lord and healed!! The spirit of God had saturated many people who once thought they would never, ever be able to experience His presence so intimately. Intimacy seems to the key healing factor in everyone's lives. And as I've ministered, obstacles to intimacy have fallen away allowing people to embrace the goodness and love of the Father for the first time or for the first time in a long time.
The kingdom of God is about relationship.
2008 is the year of new beginnings of intimacy with a good and loving Father. So forget New Year's resolutions, come to the Father like a child, lay your weary head upon His shoulder and snuggle in for awhile. Everything else will fall into place from there.
Many blessings on your new year!!!
Julia
http://www.julialoren.net/
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