28 May 2009

A clear sign

A significant part of the Global Day of Prayer vision is 10 days of focused and united prayer leading up to the one day when the whole world gathers. We have been enjoying great blessings for the Lord has been faithful to join with us by His Spirit each evening as we meet to pray.

"O you who bring good tidings to Zion, get up to the high mountain. O you who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid; say to the cities of Judah, Behold your God!" Isaiah 40:9

This word of God commands us to go to the “high places” and proclaim the name of our Lord - - so last night we went as a group to our National Park to pray on the tower that is the highest point in this part of our region.

We have been talking about making the trip Saturday evening to pray in like manner at Baldy Mountain, the highest point in Manitoba. Baldy is in a provincial park called “The Duck Mountains” commonly referred to as “The Ducks”

Being blessed to live out in the country on lots of land affords us opportunity to see a variety of creatures passing through, but this is the first time we have seen these sitting in our yard. Those who know me understand that I delight in God’s way of speaking to us in prophetic signs and pictures, and what Rick caught on film this morning shouts out a loud confirmation to our plans.














Yes, Lord, I hear You. Yes, Lord, we will answer Your call!

23 May 2009

The latest Flickering FireFly Award

Shining for Christ

It's time for me to announce the next recipient of the Flickering FireFly Award, an award to recognize bloggers who shine the light of Christ for a watching world.

Sharon at The Reservoir is certainly not hiding her light under a basket, but flickering for all to see! Her words teach and encourage both her readers and those people lucky enough to be in her midst.

Congratulations Sharon, grab this little picture for your blog, give it away to others who are lighting the way with a link back to me please, and keep letting your love for Jesus shine!

Cafe Chat May 23

This week Kim said:

“This week's Chat will be a little different, but I hope you will leave today feeling challenged in your spirit. A couple of days ago I watched a video that was posted on my friend's Facebook page. After viewing the video I started thinking about how I live out my walk with Jesus. I hope today you will do the same thing.
Before you answer the question, please click
here to view a 3-4 minute video of pastor, Francis Chan (Make sure you are viewing the "Balance Beam" video).

In light of the Francis Chan video, how do you live out your Christian walk with Jesus? Do you always play it safe? Or do you take risks?

In one or two sentences, what do you want to be said of you, and how you lived out your life for Jesus when your time on earth is finished.”

My desire is to be a radically obedient, wild woman for Christ. Sometimes I think I’m part way there. I came up to rural Canada 9 years ago to meet and marry Rick, the man God chose for me, trusting that He was in control. I placed myself in His loving hands when we went to Uganda on a short term mission to build housing for Watoto Childcare Ministries. When I take the microphone to share a prophetic word I sense the Lord has given me, or teach about the things I have learned in my studies and journaling with Him I know that I am relying on the Holy Spirit and not my own strength. Yet other times I hear the voice of the enemy screaming “better not step out, there won’t be anyone there to catch you if you fall.” I am learning that his voice always lies, for he cannot tell the truth. My God is there, and He will indeed steady me when I falter. Does God ever let us fall? When we have lessons to learn that we resist learning any other way I believe He allows us to stumble. But He is always there after, with a loving embrace, then He sets us on our feet again.

‘I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” Psalm 16:8 KJV

I would like it to be said of me that when Jesus asked me to walk on water I was not too afraid to get out of the boat!

Join us today at CafĂ© Chat and share your answer to this week’s question.

16 May 2009

Cafe Chat Week of May 16



This week I am finally able to particpate again, and Kim asked us:


"If Fear or Finances (or any other stumbling block) were not a problem, is there something you have always wanted to do or try that you have not done? Do you think eventually you will do the thing you mentioned above? Explain your answer."


Fear has hindered me in many ways. It certainly has kept me silent many times when I know God's will is for us to speak of Him and share His love. I dream of reaching out to people in need, in all corners of the world, not only speaking of Christ's love but also being His hands and feet and showing them. I dream of preaching the Good News, so I am taking ministry courses through Christian Leadership University.


The Lord has also spoken into my spirit that I will write books that will minister and teach of His amazing love. Has fear gotten in the way of writing? You bet. The enemy persists in whispering lies into my heart, saying that no one would be interested in reading my words. I will however stand on the Word and "Submit therefore to God: resist the Devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7


I know my husband and I will return to Africa for a longer mission term, and we will also travel to other far places in the service of our King. My job now is to be still and wait to hear what He will say, then without hesitation, step out in radical obedience.


When I gave my heart and life to Jesus, the friends who led me to that profoundly life altering step said "Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime." What an understatement! What a wild ride! I have not yet been disappointed in that choice.

Join us at Cafe Chat and share your answer to Kim's question.

15 May 2009

We plan, God laughs

On Monday I hung summer curtains outside on the clothesline. They are sheer and lacy and I knew they would dry quickly in the sun and warm breezes so even with rain in the forecast, I risked it. The fresh scent was a delight and I did indeed get them inside and folded before the clouds rolled in. I was making plans to cut the grass this week, whenever we had a day without the threat of rain, for it is growing green and tall quickly. The flowering shrub beneath the kitchen window began to bloom, asparagus were shooting up out of the ground and all the trees were displaying their new buds. The middle of May and the hope of Spring surrounded me!

I wasn't dreaming, I'm sure of it. The clean curtains are folded neatly in the linen closet, yet, this was my world as I arose this morning ---


Thoughts of mowing and planting and reading in the sun on the deck are quickly replaced with thoughts of hot soup and snuggling under an afghan with a cup of tea. Living in this part of Canada, where I know the Lord has placed me, is teaching me to "go with the flow" or is that "go with the snow"?

On April 23rd when I wrote Indecisive & Unpredictable I didn't realize that the words I wrote would still be true today.

I am thankful at the God I serve is aware and in control of all things, and all for His good purposes.

“God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. For He says to the snow, Fall on the earth; likewise He speaks to the showers and to the downpour of His mighty rains.” Job 37:5-6 Amplified

“lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding” Psalm 148:8 NIV

11 May 2009

We All Need a Mission


Saturday night Rick and I rejoiced and celebrated the ninth anniversary of the day we married. In these days when Christian marriages are failing as frequently as others, we thank God for the ties He has formed between us.

Like any other partnership or business endeavor, I believe that every marriage needs a mission statement. We need to remember that love is a choice we make, it is not automatic and will wither without tender care, attention and devotion. It is also important to remember that marriage is a three-way partnership, between a man and a woman with GOD right in the middle!

The following is the mission statement Rick and I decided on 9 years ago. Perhaps it will inspire you to write one for yourselves.

Mission Statement For Our Marriage

Remember to put God first, always. Remember God is in control and wills us to be united with Him and each other.

Be as open as possible with each other at all times. Bring to each other whatever is in our hearts and minds - be it joy or sorrow, anger, peace or turmoil.

Be accepting of each other, even when we can not agree.

Re-commit each day to the choice we have made to love each other as God would have us love, as He loves us.

Accept that we have not the strength in ourselves alone to do any
of the above without our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.

06 May 2009

The day the world combines in one voice


May 31st is Pentecost Sunday and also the Global Day of Prayer 2009. I have been involved with organizing a yearly gathering in our area for the past several years in obedience to God's request.

This year we will be combining our event with our monthly ACTS 2:46 Cafe and Rise Up Community Prayer.

In November 2008 Christians in our area joined together to share meals, fellowship and prayer during the “Touch of God Crusade”. The Acts 2:46 CafĂ© was a visionary response from that experience and beginning on the eve of the New Year we have gathered once each month.

This monthly meal is for people who want to get together like Christians in the ancient Church described in Acts 2:46 who:

“regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their home they broke bread. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts”

A simple and good meal is served. If one can, they bring a dessert to share and make a donation to offset the cost.

Consider attending a Global Day of Prayer gathering in your community, or if there is nothing planned, perhaps you are the one who can step out and sound the call to prayer!

05 May 2009

My Ten Things for Tuesday May 5th

XBOX Wife Ten Things Tuesday

It has been far too long since I have a written a "10 Things for Tuesday" post, and I'm happy to be back, anxious to enter my Lord's gates with thanksgiving and praise!

  1. I'm thankful that Xbox Wife has found some time to be back online with us. We've missed you Jill!
  2. I'm thankful that the possibilities of snow are diminishing with each passing day. Yes, it can and has still snowed here in the Manitoba Parklands as late as June!
  3. I'm thankful for the movie Fireproof and how churches are using it as an effective outreach tool.
  4. I am thankful that Rick and I have made a choice (before trouble ever comes) to fight for our marriage, believing that there is no plan B.
  5. I am thankful that God is for us! "What, then, can we say about all of this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31
  6. I am thankful that when Rick went out to check the lawn mowers Sunday afternoon both of them started with no problem.
  7. I am thankful that I should be able to start the endless cycle of grass cutting this week. Though it often seems like a thankless job I find that I am able to spend quality time with my Lord as I circle the yard again and again and again and no one else can hear me singing as my voice is covered by the sound of the lawn tractor motor!
  8. I would like to say that I'm thankful for wood ticks, but after seeing my first of the season this morning I am feeling itchy and crawly. From the time the snow melts until mid-summer we have these nagging pests wandering through the grass. I AM however thankful for the Preventic spray we can drench Faith in to keep her protected.
  9. I am thankful for the garlic that is already up in the garden, and for all the peas Rick was able to plant yesterday. More seeds will go in the ground this evening. Thank God for days that grow increasingly longer giving Rick more time to accomplish his planting after work.
  10. I am thankful that though I do not have a clue what's around the next corner, God does!
    "I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope." Jeremiah 29:11

What are you thankful for this week? Join Mrs. Brownstone at Xbox Wife and share your chorus of thanksigving.