July 24, 2006

Still Unplugged!

Well... it turns out it was not the hard drive... nor was it the Mother board that we thought... or the RAM... it may be the casing... ??!? All I know is my Computer Guy (Praise God - I even HAVE a "Computer Guy"!) keeps rolling his eyes and saying it is all because I have an E-Machine?! But - he is being terrific at re-piecing it together so in the end it will work (which will make me happy!) - and it will no longer actually BE an E-Machine - (which makes him happy!)

Until then - I have access to a computer next door - but really don't want to take too much time there... so I have not written much this week - at least not on the computer!

The Lord is speaking very clearly a few things to me - of which I must be honest and say I am not really liking... True - I move in the prophetic and yes - I am an intercessor... and yet - I do so love to encourage and uplift... no one wants to be like Jeremiah.... or others who bring bad news and God's warnings... I will continue to pray about what I feel God is speaking and once I have access back to my own computer - I will write a few more things...

Until then, may I suggest you read through Ezekiel... that is one of the areas He has me focused on... I have never been a fan of Ezekiel - it's a hard book for me to understand and I would love some feedback from you?!

Anyway - since I am limited in my writings - let me throw it back to you all... what have you been reading lately!? (In the Bible - or otherwise!?) What do you feel the Lord has been saying to you!?

Until next time!
~Karrilee~

July 17, 2006

Power Surge + Hard Drive = Crash (Repost)

Hey there... this is a repost from my other Blog... since I am borrowing a neighbor's computer... hopefully I will be back up and running soon! Until then... here is a little update!
~K~

Yep - it's true... Somehow - we had a power surge... or a drop in power... or something strange and out of the ordinary... and it caused my computer to die... at least (for the hard drive) it was a quick and painless death... however, for me... it is long and drawn out?! sniff, sniff...

Hello, my name is Karrilee, and I am a computer-holic! (Everyone says, "Hi, Karrilee!") It is true... I can barely go a few hours without doing SOMETHING on my computer... a little eBay... some CafePress work... a Blog or a Post... update my website... check e-mail... IM... type out a devotional or do an online Bible Study... not to mention uploading and editing photo's and playing games?! Oh my!? With the Computer in a central area in our home... it makes it super easy for me to sit down "...for just a sec'!" (much to my family's frustration!)

So... while I had PLANS to do all my normal stuff... well - I am in the process of buying a new hard drive and hoping and praying we can get at least SOME of my info off the dead - er - Old one?! (Fingers crossed, breath held, eyes closed... prayers being sent up...?!) We shall see?! Got that new Digital camera... and lucky for me I am a tad bit obsessive and caught up in scrapping because that means that even though I didn't back up my files... I have already scrapped the hard copies?! Yes... I know... see?! There are up sides to this compulsion of mine?!

On another note... we went to the Bone Specialist today to get new X-rays! My dh's hand is healing - and the surgeon still is saying surgery is not necessary... however it is still healing really slowly... he got a new cast and we'll go back in three weeks... even though it was a good report overall - the doctor also used '6-9 months' to him when talking about guitar playing... someone will die if it takes that long - I can tell you that right now! We are praying for a faster than normal recovery - AND we are praying about our vacation plans that we had for the month of August as well...

Anyway - this is my excuse... er - um - explanation for my absence the past few days!!! I will be back... soon hopefully! I am going through withdrawls... at least I can still have my Starbucks!?! It's not the end of the world YET!?

In faith - I will be back very soon!
Until then... Scrap On!
~Karrilee~

July 11, 2006

In Whom Do You Trust?


This morning as I was forcing my eyes open, and body to stretch and greet the day, I felt in my spirit a drawing to His heart... I so wanted to linger there in bed, letting my thoughts fill up with Who He is and how good our God is! I did soak in His Presence for a bit, before allowing the daily part of my day to crowd in to my thoughts and beckon me out of the warmth of my morning meeting.

I was getting ready for Tuesday prayer, and I was asking the Lord what it was He wanted to speak to me today... "Romans 10:14".... Hmmm?! OK - I am not sure exactly what that verse says... so - (being me - and the way I am with Him!) I said, "Lord - I would love for you to give me a Cross Reference here... even before I look up that verse... "Psalms 23:2-3" OK - that one I know... So - after brushing my teeth, off I go to look up my Scriptures... this is how they read:

"But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it?" (Romans 10:14 The Message)

"He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake." (Psalms 23:2-3 Amplified)

Hmmm... yeah?! So - I read Romans 10:14 and, on my own - I would have Cross Referenced to Isaiah 6:8... but that is me... Since God Cross-Referenced me to Ps 23 I had to slow down and rethink it... When I prayed for more clarity - I was led to turn the page in my Bible and my eyes fell upon Psalms 22:4... In the Amplified Bible, it reads: "Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted (leaned on, relied on You, and were confident) and You delivered them."

Wow... OK - so - it is morning and I haven't yet had my coffee... but I am starting to see something here... Do you see it?! If you haven't read my previous post - you may want to stop here and go and read it... it ties in with what the Lord was telling me this morning...

As I wrote in the last post - I believe with all my heart that there is a new Season approaching... I believe it will be a Season of blessing and of walking into more of our Inheritance. Sometimes, Seasons change so quickly it is almost as if we did not expect it... but we know that the change is coming. I believe many in the Body have been going through Wilderness Seasons... to one extend or the other... some have been waiting so long for a new Season to come - they almost forgot what they were waiting for! ...and Suddenly, the change is fast approaching!

Instead of giving up on God... or your dreams, or goals, on your destiny... instead of sitting down at the foot of whatever mountain you are circling and saying "I just can't do it!"... what if - instead of doing that - you reminded yourself of His goodness... you reminded yourself of how He has shown up for you time and time again!? What if you reminded yourself that has really very little to do with you anyway - but it is all about Him... and He is well able and willing to do it! What if... those who you are trying to reach simply can't trust in Him because they have never known anyone to be Trustworthy... because they haven't heard us - in the Body - testify of His goodness for a long long while!?

We must - even in the midst of trials and mountains to climb - remind ourselves and others of the Goodness of God!!! We must speak it out loud!!! We must share with others how He has led us to green pastures... how He has made us to lie down and rest... and how He restores and refreshes us in our times of need... it builds our own faith when we remember.... and it reaches out to those who are in the dark and it offers them a glimpse of Light... a glimpse of Hope...

"How can people call for help if they don't know who to trust?" That is how The Message translation puts it!? Good question! If we, in the Body - who should KNOW who to trust in - are not relying on, and trusting in Him... if we are not remembering His Faithfulness and Goodness and Mercy...then how will they learn to do it?


So many times, I have felt the Lord speak to me and say, "Just Speak to that Mountain!" There is power in that... and sometimes, ya know what!? I just have to speak to myself... I have to HEAR it in my own voice and allow that faith and steadfastness to rise up within me as I speak His word forth... He tells us that His Word will never return to Him Void... but it will accomplish that which He set it out to accomplish... That encourages me to no end because I know - I mean I KNOW with all that I am - that what He desires to accomplish - in me - is for my best and for His Glory! That realization alone can give me strength to stand strong... to walk taller, and to speak louder...

If you are facing a mountain of trouble... or feel like you have rounded the corner to find the same landscape before you, yet again - let me encourage you to stand...having done all... & remind yourself of His faithfulness... to you, personally... to His people... to those you know... Read some old prayer requests and see how He has answered them... research modern day miracles... better yet - get out the Word of God and feed on it today - fill up on the Bread of Life and feel your faith rise and your witness improve!

You see... someone is watching your walk with the Lord! Someone is waiting and watching and seeing how you handle the situation before you. How will they call for help... Who will they trust in... let me encourage you to tell them how He has led you to lie down in green pastures and how He has refreshed and restored your soul... even in the midst of a battle! How He continues to lead and guide you on the right path... not just because you are good or you do what is right... because - let's be honest here - you don't - not all the time - none of us do! Part of this new Season is gonna require us to take off our masks and stop all our pretending to have it all together... it is a Season of getting Real... with God - and with each other!


So - God is not working on your behalf because He likes you best or because you do everything right... He does it for "His name's sake." He is no respecter of persons... we need to Remember His Goodness... we need to Remind ourselves of His Faithfulness... and we need to tell those around us with Words AND with Deeds that the God we serve is Good, Faithful and Trustworthy... He has Mercy and Forgiveness...Guidance and Blessing ready and waiting!

I pray you will remember to Speak out Loud this week! To yourself... to God... to others... to the enemy... stir up that gift of Faith and allow Him to lead you!

Blessings,
~Karrilee~

July 7, 2006

"My Deliverer is Coming..."


I can't tell you how much I love that song... I think it is a Rich Mullins song - but when that children's choir joins in and sings, "My Deliverer is coming... My Deliverer is standing by..." I get goose bumps every time!

For a few weeks now - the Lord has been leading me to read Psalm 114. I 'see' it when I am driving... and I hear it in my prayer time... I have even heard the voice of the Lord recite it to me in those morning moments between sleep and awake... I have to be honest... I had to soak in it for a bit to understand. I read through it several times and wasn't quite sure I knew what He was trying to tell me. I have felt for some time that the Season was about to change... and it would be for the better! I must say however that the Season we have been in has been good... through the years I have come to learn to appreciate where I am and where He is taking me... even if I can't see that far ahead of my feet!

Let me first share with you this short and powerful Psalm... here is it:

"When Israel went out of Egypt, The house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah became His sanctuary, And Israel His dominion. The sea saw it and fled; Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams, The little hills like lambs. What ails you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back? O mountains, that you skipped like rams? O little hills, like lambs? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob, Who turned the rock into a pool of water, The flint into a fountain of waters." (NKJV)

OK - so - you can see why I was not immediately enlightened and excited about this portion of Scripture that God seemed to so heavily put on my heart! I would read it over and over and think - OK - I get it... it's about remembering His faithfulness... and it is... and yet I knew there was more! Psalm 114 is in fact one of the "Hallel Psalms" - and were used at the feasts of Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacle, and Dedication. This Psalm is a call to Praise...it is a reminder of all that God has done for 'us'. It also reminds us that He is not yet finished!

Our God - the Creator of the Universe - has our back - so to speak! The waters of the Red Sea did not panic and shrink back due to the multitude of slaves before her... but due to the fact that the Creator of all was carrying out His plan for them - and the sea would not get in His way! Their Deliverer was standing by - and He was at work on their behalf to help them to cross over to the other side! Forty years later... after the Wilderness time - the Jordan River also halted it's flow and provided dry ground for Crossing over to the Promised Land!

As I studied this Psalm - I learned that the Red Sea passage typifies our Redemption from the world by God's power through identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection! The crossing of the Jordan speaks of deliverance from wilderness wandering and entering into our spiritual inheritance, again through Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. (Believer's Bible Commentary - William MacDonald)

We are about to Cross Over - so to speak - into our Inheritance... into the Season that will bring about our greatest destiny and our greatest triumphs! In the midst of trying to comprehend what the Lord was trying to say to me, our family had an unexpected mountain arise and we were forced to deal with things we are not used to or accustomed to. On the surface, (literally), it looked bad... the enemy was having himself a TIME messing around in our thoughts and sowing fear... however, I remembered this Psalm and I read it again and I saw that God was all powerful and He was faithful to that little ragtag team of slaves that He called His own! That is the same God that I serve today... He is the same yesterday, today, and forever - and nothing is too difficult for Him!

I think that MANY in the Body of Christ have felt like they have been in the Wilderness... going around one mountain or the other - over and over and over and never quite able to get a glimpse of that Promised Land. Whatever it is you have been believing for, or standing on, or desiring of the Lord - your Promised Land is on it's way! We are about to enter a season of blessing and of carrying with us a greater measure of the Presence of God... and in turn - we will see many set free and many will cross over with us!!!

Well, I believe that the Lord was trying to show me - or remind me - that this new Season is about to begin - and it will be greater than the seasons of the past... we will step into more of our Inheritance than ever before!!! ... it is the Season that will find us facing the River Jordan... and seeing dry ground come into focus at our shore-lined feet... Look up - for your redemption draweth nigh! Look up - you can almost SEE that 'Promised Land' approaching!!

Sing with me...
"I will never doubt His promise, though I doubt my heart, I doubt my eyes...
My Deliverer is coming... My Deliverer is standing by!!!"
~Karrilee~

July 4, 2006

Our Freedom isn't Free!

(I am reposting this from my other Scrapbook related Blog... )

Ahhh... How we love and are thankful for our Freedom! This being 4th of July - we have plenty of photo opportunities - and lots that we can scrapbook... from BBQ get togethers, to swimming, to games, and of course fireworks!!! I encourage you, however, to also include some journaling or a photo that captures and explains the feelings that are stirred up in you as you celebrate Independence Day!

I was not raised in a overly patriotic home. My parents did not serve in the military, although my Grandfather was a war hero - among the small group of men who personally took out Hitler... We were raised to be thankful for living in America... and to know that it was a great country and we had opportunities offered to us that others around the world did not have. It was as an adult, though, that I began to really fall in love with America, her foundation, and her history. It is true. Much to my own surprise, I have become a patriotic 'nerd'. I cry at the National Anthem or "God Bless America"... I get a reverantial awe come over me at the raising of the Flag... and after 9/11 - whenever I see military people, firemen, and police officers, my hand goes over my heart as my lips silently move in a prayer for them... for protection, and for thanksgiving! Instead of writing something myself today... I wanted to share an article that I received via e-mail this morning! It says it all... and I simply add "Amen!"

Enjoy, and Happy 4th of July!~Karrilee~

The Star-Spangled Banner by Kenneth Copeland June 14 is the day Americans celebrate the flag which symbolizes our liberty and freedom as a nation. Each year the president proclaims Flag Day and encourages all citizens to fly the American flag outside their homes and businesses. Many states hold special celebrations and observances, and people are encouraged to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to our great nation: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands: one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.Since September 11, 2001, many Americans have rediscovered the importance of flying the flag as a symbol of hope, determination and national unity in the face of the threat of danger. The true spirit of America—one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all—is being restored. The history of our flag began June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress issued a resolution establishing an official flag for the United States to express liberty and separation from Great Britain. It has undergone some changes over the years, but the basic design has remained the same with alternating red and white stripes and a rectangular blue field containing white stars in the upper corner near the staff. I've heard it said that the red stripes represent the stripes Jesus bore for us and the blood He shed, the white represents the purity of the new birth, and the blue represents the truth of the Word of God. I believe that. Sometimes called the Stars and Stripes, the flag is a powerful symbol for our nation. It is not a political symbol, but rather, it represents a mighty and free people—the freest people on the face of the earth. It represents all that is good, sacred and godly in this country. Our flag is a standard of liberty and freedom, and that includes above all, the freedom to worship God as a Christian nation. Isn't that what the founding fathers came here for? Isn't that what many of them fought and died for? The freedom to worship and praise God has never been cheap. It cost Jesus His life. It cost a lot of other people their lives too. Our flag represents those who shed their blood for freedom—including Jesus. That's why Satan hates the banner called Old Glory. He hates it the way he hates the Constitution. He hates it the way he hates God. And he hates it the way he hates the blood and the Name of Jesus. Satan hates Old Glory's guaranteed freedoms. It has always been God's plan to have a nation where the glory of God could be sown and nurtured, from which His glory could spread throughout the whole earth. That nation would have to be a nation where all people could freely praise and worship Him. Why? Because God inhabits the praises of His people, and His glory is in His presence. Our flag represents a nation where men and women are not only free, but they can also worship and praise God without fear. "Conquer We Must, When Our Cause It Is Just" A number of years ago God began to deal with me about ministering "The Star-Spangled Banner" to people. He told me it is actually a psalm—an ode, or poem from the Spirit of God, set to melody. When I began to study "The Star-Spangled Banner" and looked into the heart of the man who wrote it, I discovered that Francis Scott Key wasn't trying to write a national anthem, although that is what it became. Rather, as an eyewitness to a historic battle, he wrote his testimony during a time of war when men had decided they would rather die for freedom than live under tyranny. It so happened that during the War of 1812, Mr. Key, a lawyer, sailed to the British fleet to negotiate the release of a captured American. That night, detained by the British on a ship in the harbor, he witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry. As the battle raged and the sky filled with smoke from the shelling, Francis Key kept his eyes on the Stars and Stripes until the sun went down and it was no longer visible. Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?All night, through this critical battle, he had his eyes fastened on the place where that standard flew. The question in his mind, as important as the battle itself, was: Is the flag still there? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.The flash and glow of the rockets interrupted the black of night to reveal welcome glimpses of the Stars and Stripes. Then in an instant, everything went quiet. Smoke hung in the air. The sun had not yet come up. Francis Scott Key didn't know if the flag was still there or not. He ends the first verse by asking God: Oh say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?Are we still a nation? Are we still a free people? There was not another free nation on the face of the earth. Some people even considered the establishment of this country to be an experiment that would fail. I imagine that throughout the night, these kinds of thoughts were rolling around in this lonely man's spirit and in his mind: Oh God, if that flag is not still there when the sun comes up, this thing is all over. There won't be a free nation anywhere. But it has to be, Lord...it must stand as the home of the free and the brave. Surely God would help this nation to stand strong as the ragtag army of courageous farmers and churchgoers dared to go up against the most powerful, best-equipped expeditionary force on the face of the earth. These were people of faith who were not moved by the odds. They were not moved by what they could see. They were moved by what they believed—and they believed they were already free as of the day the Declaration of Independence of 1776 was signed. They fought the fight of faith and praise as well as the fight of war. Throughout the war with Great Britain, Congress declared days of fasting and prayer and encouraged Americans to seek God's help in the battle for freedom. They were careful to declare days of thanksgiving and praise when God intervened and blessed them with victories. Once more during the battle at Fort McHenry, God honored their faith and the colonists stood strong against the enemy. As the smoke cleared at dawn, Francis Key was thrilled to find the beloved American flag still flying high, proclaiming victory for all to see. Historians report that the sight of that majestic flag inspired the words which became "The Star-Spangled Banner." Francis Scott Key was a man of faith, and I believe he learned something as he witnessed the fierce battle that was ultimately between freedom and oppression. I'm certain he meditated throughout the night about what the outcome of that fight would mean to our infant country. The words of the song give us insight into what was going through his mind. I believe Mr. Key began formulating these words during the night and that the last verse was the answer of his faith. He could not see the flag—except by faith. Spirit-inspired prophetic utterance came out of his mouth: Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.As relevant as Francis Scott Key's words were then, they are even more so today. We must not forget to praise the One who has given us our nation. We must not forget to praise the One who has given us peace. We must not forget to praise the One who has given us the victory during wars to keep America free, to keep the glory alive, to keep the Word alive, to keep the Name of Jesus on the lips of its citizens throughout this whole North American continent! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!Thank God, we're free and our trust is in God. He has preserved us as a nation and will continue to do so. If our cause is just, we will always triumph. And our most powerful symbol of freedom, the Star-Spangled Banner, will continue to wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave...forever!

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