We have to let Heavens strategy guide our Earthly activity and get on the same page with God. Like marching around Jericho, like stepping out of the boat onto the water, like facing off against a giant, like sending the worship team at the head of the army God has a unique way of doing things – He has the power but He uses us to demonstrate His reality and goodness. When we say YES He steps in and moves. The walls fell AFTER they walked around the city. Peter walked on water AFTER he stepped out of the boat. David defeated Goliath AFTER he stepped in the ring to fight, Jehosaphat won the battle after worshipping God. The valley of dry bones became a roaring army AFTER Ezekeiel prophesied. What is your AFTER moment? What is God calling you to step out into?  from DRY BONES

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:28-29

we know.

and we know.

and we have this awareness and revelation.

we know.

we know that God is good and that He is faithful and that He is our Heavenly Father.

we know that He is the same today as yesterday and will be tomorrow.

we know that He has done all that needs to be done to make us His children and that it is by grace and grace alone that we are saved.

we know that God is at work in our lives and His intentions are good.

He is at work in our lives turning what was meant for evil around for good and for His glory.

He is at work for the good.

but i am aware that sometimes OUR perception of good is very different from GOD’S perception of good.

God is at work in our lives to conform us to the likeness of His Son, Jesus.

He is at work in us forming godly character, at work creating a family resemblance.

sometimes character formation isnt a happy task. 

but God isnt at work for the happiness of us.  He is at work for the good.

like a Father.

because of that reality, that WE KNOWNESS, i choose to trust God and His handiwork in my life.

i can trust that He is at work for good and for His glory

there is a reward

there is a triumph

and in the process His heart cry is that we come to Him.

I need a song to sing to You
I stand in awe of what You do
I need words to describe
All that You are, what I feel inside

You whisper deep inside my heart
You show my glimpses of who You are
Iris Ministries & Will Reagan {I NEED A SONG}

i need a song.  i need a song to communicate to others and TO MYSELF the greatness and goodness of God.

worship REMINDS us who God is, His greatness, His goodness, His power, His grace

it REFOCUSES our attention on Him, His greatness, His goodness, His power, His grace

it REFRESHES our heart and CONNECTS us in RELATIONSHIP

it is an expression of love, adoration, surrender

worship reinforces what matters most, reminds us of truths we forget and renews our desire to live what we believe.  Rick Warren

a song comes from within me,

rising up and expresses my feelings towards God. 

it rises up and declares faith in His power and majesty.

it rises up and gives Him the honour He is due, as Saviour, Creator, Lord.

a song sings to me, reminding me of His love, power and character. 

there have being seasons and times which have had “a soundtrack” – a particular song that expresses how i feel or what God is doing at the moment.  there are seasons when a song has resonated so within me that it becomes etched in my heart and allows the truth within the words to write comfort and hope in my mind and soul.  these songs are God given, His graceful gift to me.  His language to me is in songs.  

One of note is COME TO ME by Bethel, that was released, as a pre release, on the day tony’s dad died.  i downloaded it for free and had it on repeat for weeks.  it was HIS song for me for that moment, His love song that He sung over me.  (Zephaniah 3:17)

God is so worthy, there are not enough words in the universe to accurately express the wonder and wonderfulness He is.  but i will sing.  i will try.

Worship Songs I Love:

Oceans // Hillsong {my fav worship song at the moment} 

How He Loves Us

Come To Me

Anchor // Bethel Church

Great Is Our God

1000 Reasons

you are the song I sing, you are the song I sing, Jesus, With every breath I breathe , With every song I sing, I want to shout it out, Lord I am listening Spirit Speaks

you’re the one that paints with light the night, you’re always not wrong, and never not right, there’s not enough words on earth to describe, or to put into song, or compare with the brightness of your majesty // MAJESTY

Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Psalm 7:17 I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 13:6 I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.

Psalm 57:9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

Psalm 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 101:1 I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise.

Five Minute Friday is a feature over at Lisa-Jo Bakers TALES FROM A GYPSY MAMA blog.  i first read about it on my friend Fee’s blog and thought it sounded fun!

So, let’s do this thing. Let’s write.

Set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.

3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

OK, are you ready?

#FiveMinuteFriday —>Click to Tweet that.

Revival is about as much of a miracle as a crop of wheat. If you don’t plow, sow, water and reap you will never see a revival. if you plant the seed God has given you and pray over the place where you live and partner with the Holy Spirit you will watch God move in your region this year. 

~ Andrew Robertson

Jesus, i pray that You would write Your message upon our hearts that we might speak life, hope, destiny and purpose into these young people

i pray that You would open their eyes to the reality of Your love and greatness, that they would find their greatest satisfaction in You.  i pray that they would know who they are in You, what their giftings are and what You have called them to do and be.  that they would be secure in purpose and confident in serving, empowered by the Holy Spirit. 

i pray that we would have lots of fun and that you would build community amongst us, that we would create lifelong friendships and be open with one another, able to challenge honestly, encourage lavishly and walk through life together.

i pray we would learn well, that we would love Your Word and love Your presence.  teach us new ways to communicate with You, to connect with You, to communicate with each other and to follow hard after Your ways and Kingdom. 

In Your presence there is freedom
In Your presence there is hope
In Your presence there is healing
Love restores me, I am whole
No matter how far I run
You are with me
No matter how far I fall
Your love is everlasting
Your kindness never ends
God You never leave me
Your presence goes before us
Your glory has no end
God You never leave me
In Your presence there is power
Through Your spirit, strength will rise
In Your presence there is mercy
And in Your presence I’m alive
No matter how far I run
You are with me
No matter how far I fall
Your love is everlasting
Your kindness never ends
God You never leave me
Your presence goes before us
Your glory has no end
God You never leave me
You will be our guide
To the end, to the end
The Lord is with me
He will not forsake me
[x2]
Your love is everlasting
Your kindness never ends
God You never leave me
Your presence goes before us
Your glory has no end
God You never leave me
You will be our guide
To the end, to the end
The Lord is with me
He will not forsake me

yesterday we celebrated Mothers Day with the kids and my MIL at the Auckland Museum… the kids loved the Oceans and Land, Weird and Wonderful (eeek those bugs are soooo gross!) and a Kids in the Past exhibits and i loved the vintage clothing and furniture display.  we spent a good quarter of an hour watching a pair of geckos to see if they caught any flies.  they are amazing creatures!  all in all it was a fun day out and about, including compulsory tree climbing, followed by a delish meal back at our house! 

You are a warrior who will battle for your children’s hearts, souls, attention, innocence, education and memories.

Go to battle my friends. This is your time. 

To read the rest of this amazing mothers day post (the script that goes with the youtube clip) head over to Lisa Jo’s blog

though i confess i’m not good with the vomit on the floor bit… but a fantastic insight into motherhood… well done NewSpring Church

i’ve taken the plunge and made a fb page for my blog… it feels scary but i know that i read blogs mostly that i find in my newsfeed and love the ability to share so figured i’d do what i love… so you can now find me on ONE PASSION ONE DEVOTION FB 

**** LOVE LOVE LOVE this post on The Fearless Experiment  called THE NARROWING.  oh its good for the soul, good challenging!

Suffering leads to perseverance. Perseverance to character, character to hope.

The Narrowing: It’s how you begin to feel a new heartbeat. It’s how you discover what’s really important. It’s where you find meaning.

It’s when Someone takes a hammer and a chisel and begins to chip chip chip away at what shouldn’t be there. It’s when Someone sees the masterpiece that lies beneath the rock, and He won’t stop until the excess lies broken and dusty on the floor.

It’s when, slowly and deliberately, chunks of the old you are chiselled away. Pride, self-preservation, comfort, greed, gluttony, and all other things dark and heavy. Those things you don’t speak of. Those things you fear and hate the most. You know.

You know something needs to be done. You know those things will cling to you unless Someone takes up the hammer.

i so love LOVE CAKES.  they are gluten free, dairy free, egg free and some other free stuff too, but def not taste free.  they are delish and soooo good.  today for mothers day i got special shaped muffin tin thingys so spent some of the arvo whipping some love cakes up… shaped like butterflies and bugs!  

and as always.  i love Jesus with all i am and all my heart and all my soul and all my days. For His glory and the building of His kingdom and the rescue of the lost.

so what are you totally loving this week?

… check out what other peeps are loving whatever day of the week it is over at MNM’s BLOG

The Church has many organizers, but few agonizers; many who pay, but few who pray; many resters, but few wrestlers; many who are enterprising, but few who are interceding. People who are not praying are playing. Two prerequisites of dynamic Christian living are vision and passion, and both of these are generated in the prayer closet. The ministry of preaching is open to a few. The ministry of prayer is open to every child of God. Don’t mistake action for unction, commotion for creation, and rattles for revivals. When we pray, God listens to our heartbeat. Hannah’s lips moved, but her voice was not heard (1 Sam 1:12,13). When we pray in the Spirit, there are groanings which cannot be uttered. Tithes may build a church, but tears will give it life. That is the difference between the modern church and the early church. Our emphasis is on paying, theirs was on praying. When we have paid the place is taken. When they had prayed, the place was shaken (Acts 4:31). In the matter of effective praying, never have so many left so much to so few. Brethren, let us pray.

[Leonard Ravenhill, WHY REVIVAL TARRIES]

today is the first day of my {Pray Day} and i’ve chosen to begin by praying for those closest to my heart and my primary mission.  my family.  this includes my wonderful husband, my spunky kids, my parents, my sister and brother, sister in law etc.  family. 

my heart is that they each come to know Jesus as saviour and that they will love Him all the days of their life. 

i pray my kids will grow up strong in their faith, confident in Jesus’ love and grace, knowing He has called them and empowered them and through Him they can do anything.  i pray their spirits will be drawn by the power of the Holy Spirit closer and closer to God, that they will not be distracted by friends or the world but that they will hold fast to God.  i pray they will run and not grow weary and that they will see amazing things, and do amazing things, for the kingdom of God.  i pray their hearts will be encouraged today and that they will learn to hear the voice of God. 

last night i had the priv of preaching at our seven pm service – and one of my main points was SET A GOAL – The DO WHAT YOU CAN DO Plan – and i was reminded about how when i was first saved i used to keep a prayer journal and had a topic for prayer for each day.  that topic gave me a target to pray into so i developed a stronger prayer life and practiced conversation with God.  and so i’m doing it again.  i’m putting a HOW and a WHEN on my goal in growing close to God – i’m assigning a topic for each day and a time to do it – a  HOW and a WHEN. 

Monday = family

Tuesday = revival

Wednesday = housegroup

Thursday = me / future / ministry

Friday = church – The River

the intention of having topics like this is that i have something intentional to pray about – a target to hit with prayer each day – and i am believing to see change in my prayer life and in my relationship with God and in my world.  Prayer changes things.  i want to be more intentional about praying and seeing God’s kingdom come.  i’m putting flesh and bones on my desire and making it a goal.  setting a goal and setting a fire!