The Kingdom of God... it's personal, not business!

There is a stirring in the Body of Christ.... a growing hunger for more power to be manifest in our lives! In order for this to happen we must learn to flow with God’s Love. Jesus has given us the keys to unlock the Kingdom of God. He has equipped us for every good work which He prepared beforehand for us to walk in – to accomplish with Him – to bring glory to the Father! God has given us the keys that, if we would use them they would enable us to operate in two realms right here, and right now! We have been offered a gift to receive the kingdom, and all that it represents. We have the ability to tap into heavenly realms while operating in earthly realms. The keys, and the Kingdom as Jesus said, really ARE at hand, if we’re willing!

We’re being drawn ever closer to the heart of the Father and are called to release the Kingdom of God into every area of our lives. We’re being called to do this by letting His Love spill out and over in greater levels. As I was praying with the Lord, asking Him about this move of God, He assured me that the Kingdom of God is not like the kingdoms of this world! He said that in the earthly realms, much of life really is like that famous line in the Godfather: “It’s not personal – it’s just business.” However, in the Kingdom of God – it’s not business, it’s just personal! Our God is, first and foremost, a personal God! He is relational and desires to have friendship with us. When we rise up in our intimacy with the Lord, He calls us closer to His heart and shows us the Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is not business, it is PERSONAL! Our God desires fellowship and intimacy. When we grow in our friendship with God, He helps us to unlock the realities of Heaven and causes us to see our Authority to pull them from one realm into the other! Look at the story of Mary and Martha. Mary understood that God is Personal, while Martha was all about the Business. Of course the ‘business’ needs to get done, however how much more powerfully and effectively is it done when we do it WITH the Lord, out of intimacy? I have no doubt that if Martha would have also chosen the ‘better part’ of intimacy, the Lord would have accomplished the work that was at hand. In fact, I’m pretty sure that He would’ve rolled his sleeves up and pitched in because He loves to do that! He loves to partner with us in Kingdom work!

In the kingdoms of this earth, ‘business’ is almost expected to be ruthless and cruel. It’s how we get ahead; how we get things done. But when we operate out of the Kingdom of God, Love is our compass and being personal is at the heart of everything we do! As Meg Ryans’ character in You’ve Got Mail said in response to that Godfather quote, “And what's so wrong with being personal, anyway? Whatever else anything is, it ought to begin by being personal.”

The keys to the Kingdom are Righteousness, Joy, and Peace in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17), and how can we live these out if they are not first built on Love? When we begin to operate in the Love of the Father and freely give it out, we begin to see the Kingdom of God at hand. We begin to see lives changed, hearts healed, minds transformed; we begin to see heaven on earth. We have the joy and honor of tapping into the Kingdom of God for any situation we face right here in the earth, and grabbing hold of the heart of the Father. The next move of God I believe will be the combining of two realms, walking into the kingdoms of this world, and tearing the veil to reveal the Kingdom of our God. Many have stated that this move will be a releasing of the Love of God, and is that not what we all need: a personal revelation that the Kingdom is at hand, for you and for me? It’s not business – it’s personal, because what we really need; what we simply must have, is an ever increasing measure of His abiding love and His abounding grace to fill us to overflowing, and to spill out onto others to reveal His Kingdom and bring glory to the Father!

I just returned from a week at Bethel church in Redding, California! It was amazing... God sent me to a Writer's Conference and all of my favorite authors were there... and as a bonus, it was held at Bethel church! Bethel has this unique atmosphere... you can actually tangibly FEEL the Father's Heart beating for you there! There is a strong sense of community and love... they really DO live in the Kingdom there... and I really DO pray that just by being there, I received an impartation... the Kingdom of God is not business, it's PERSONAL... because HE is personal - and He is especially fond of you!

~Karrilee~

A New Season... are you ready for Change?

Once again, I have neglected my writing (thus, my blogs) for months due to other activities that have required my attention - but I have been missing this outlet and way that I tend to clarify that which God is speaking to me! So - here I am... without clear direction, but knowing that I am here because He has something to say - to you, and to me! So - buckle up... and here we go!

Over the past few months, I have been loving my Monday morning group! I meet up weekly with a powerful amazing group of ladies in my home as we study through Bill Johnsons' The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind. We wrap it up this week and it has been so encouraging and so challenging... we truly do want to live, as Bill puts it, the 'normal Christian life'! That is my hearts' desire and I long for opportunity mixed with boldness to SEE the sick healed, the lame walking, the blind receiving sight, the lepers cleansed, the demons cast out, and the dead rising! I really do... and this past season was a season of training. It was a season of finding out if this is really something you really honestly want - if we can catch His heart for wholeness and freedom and extend His love in every situation... as He leads! We can SAY we do - because we know we should... but just between you and Him - that is what this past season has been about! What is in you and what does He want to spill out? In the end, really - it's always been and always will be all about His Love!

I have walked through a transitional season with the Lord in the past year and a half. He gently called me to work on my follow through and we picked the most obvious area that it was lacking in... however, I knew overcoming this lack of follow through would bring to light many other changes and many reasons for my lack in the past. What it comes down to for me... I have in the past always been afraid of change. I kicked against the goads and even if it looked like it would be for the best - I hated it. Honestly - in my flesh, I can get real comfortable in my comfort zone and not want to venture out. However, I have known that there is a call on my life that requires my comfort zone to constantly change... let me tell you - you do too! Once you come to Jesus and give Him your life - you are in for a life of change... a life of adventure and opportunities... a life of destiny and blessings. In the flesh - I love my life the way it is right now... I love it! I am not the most wealthy person by a long shot - but I am properous and I love my life. I am blessed with an amazing husband who I adore and who loves me incredibly... I am blessed with an incredible daughter and extended family on both sides... lots of true friends... not to mention the Most Important Person in my life and His great Love for me... I am blessed and happy. But in this past season - the Lord has helped me to work on my follow through and I have realized that while I CAN be comfortable here and I AM blessed - if I am just willing... just WILLING to step out and follow Him, He will open doors that I never would have considered. He will make a way where there seems to be no way and He will cause me to step into the destiny that He has planned for me ahead of time! (Eph 2:10) If I am to fulfill the Call... if I am to step into those prophetic words spoken over me - I will need to be willing to change!

For the first time in my life, I am open and willing to change locations! I love my city and love living here... this is the town I grew up in and most of my family is here... I am not itching to leave - but I can see now for the first time - He can move me and I will be ok. In fact, if He wants me somewhere else - I WANT to be there... because ultimately - if He wants me there - He has something for me there.. to give and to recieve! So - now, not only am I open to change - and I am actually feeling Him stir up in me an excitement FOR it! There is a song on the radio right now called The Motions by Matt West... I love this song - it is so my anthem right now! Here are the lyrics:

"This might hurt
It’s not safe
But I know that I’ve gotta make a change
I don’t care
If I break
At least I’ll be feeling something
‘Cause just ok
Is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything?
Instead of going through the motions

No regrets
Not this time
I’m gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love
Make me whole
I think I’m finally feeling something

Take me all the way

I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything?
Instead of going through the motions..."
(The Motions by Matt West)

So - I am not saying I have this follow-through deal mastered - obviously I have not since I haven't been HERE for so long... but, I am seeing that part of why I dug my heels in it for so long to following through was because I knew it would ring about change - or an opportunity to change... and I was not so sure I would be ready or wanting to step into the next season!

I am excited to share that God is literally paying my way to attend a Writers Conference in a couple of weeks! A friend sent me a link in an e-mail and pointed out a Writers Conference being held at Bethel Church in Redding, CA... which means the speakers will include all my favorite authors right now like Bill and Beni Johnons, Kris Vallotton, Danny Silk - pretty much the staff at Bethel - and the keynote speaker is none other than the author of The Shack! Oh my!? Honestly - my first thought when I read that e-mail was, "Linda is MEAN!" LOL! I never thought that I would be able to go! We are planning a big vacation in June that is taking up our vacation budget for the year pretty much and I just didn't even really consider it! However, my husband said that maybe we could swing it... this opened the door for me to pray about it. So - I actually prayed and heard the Lord not only tell me who to bring with me, but He assured me that we are a good investment! That is what He keeps saying over me... "You are a Good Investment!" Amen! He says that over me... and He says that over you! and the good news is that He means it! He has already invested His Life in you... and you are worth it! So - over the past few weeks, the Lord has paid for our Registration fees and is bringing in money to cover our travel expenses. We have not asked anyone for money - but whenever we are tempted to get into worry about the cost of it all... God says, You are a Good Investment - and money shows up! He so desires us to be there... I am excited for the opportunities that He has in mind for us and for the work that He has for us to and the blessings He has for us there... that will equip us for this next season! I am believing that not only will the Writers conference help stir me up and give me direction in my writing - but that I will get a tranferrable anointing there - to live that 'normal Christian life'! Yes, Lord - that is what I want!!!

Recently, I read a word that came across The Elijah List and I just wanted to quote a small portion of what was shared! The author was talking about learning how to host the Presence and he said "...we have access to the unlimited measure of God's presence, but He doesn't entrust Himself to untrustworthy people. All of the measurements are set up on our end of the equation. He typically entrusts us with the measure of the presence we are willing to jealously guard.

We are to become His resting place—the place from which the exploits of Heaven are accomplished. For when the Lord rests upon a person, there is actually an atmospheric shift that takes place wherever that person goes. How do you think Peter's shadow healed people? Our shadow will always release whatever overshadows us. When we learn to host the presence of the Lord, we get more breakthroughs by accident than ever used to happen on purpose. That is a possibility for every Believer every day." (Bill Johnson, "Learning to Host the Presence")

The portion in bold type was actually that way in the original post - but the sentence that really stood out to me was the one right before it... "Our shadow will always release whatever overshadows us." Wow?! So - the question then is this - what is it that is overshadowing you? What is it that is occupying your thoughts and consuming your attention? In this world - in this economy - in this (insert whatever concerns you right now) - it's tough to not let these things overshadow us, but I do not want worry and fear and anxiety to spill out of me... so I must stay focused and in tune and filled up with Him.

During a meeting on Friday night, I heard the Lord say, "If it concerns you, it concerns Me!" Another friend was lead to Psalm 138 and she read it in the New American Standard Version. Verses 7 & 8 read like this:
"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.
The LORD will accomplish what concerns me;
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands."

Whatever it is that concerns you, you can rest assured that it concerns Him as well! And if it concerns Him... you can rest assured that He has your back! He will work it out and cause blessing to overshadow you despite what you may see in the natural! Remember, He is no respecter of persons, and He says that you are a Good Investment!

Love in Abundance, Grace Abounding,
Be Blessed,
~Karrilee~

Where is YOUR Common Denominator?

The Lord has really been speaking about the power of agreement. This is no small revelation: knowing the importance of recognizing and seeking out the power of agreement. For years, it seems, the Lord has been calling us to Declare and Decree... He is revealing the Truth of His Kingdom and calling us to live a Kingdom-minded life right here on earth. We are entering into a season of seriously needing to know and seek out the power of agreement!

I will never forget years and years ago calling a national ministry with an urgent prayer request. The Prayer Partner on the other end of the phone asked me what the request was. (It was for a friends' son who was born premature and his lungs were not yet developed.) I told him and he asked where my faith was... what I could believe for in prayer... he explained that what we needed was the power of agreement. He had faith to believe that God would instantly heal this baby and give him fully developed lungs, but if I was believing that the Doctors would have wisdom and they would be able to stabilize his breathing and over time his lungs would strengthen, then he needed to know. We needed to pray at the point of agreement. I was completely believing that God would create new lungs instantly in this little one - so we prayed. Literally an hour later, this new Mom called to say that the doctors were astonished - it was as if the X Rays taken before were of a completely different baby because her son had two fully developed and functioning lungs. He was fine and out of the woods immediately! What an awesome answer to prayer! And for me... what a powerful lesson!

I think in this season, God is really drawing us together in small groupings of people - whether it be within your church, in a home meeting, a Bible study or prayer group, or within your family... however He is doing it - He IS doing it! He is drawing the like-minded together in accordance with the power of agreement.

I had the honor and pleasure of ministering once again with two great friends on Saturday whom God honestly hand picked and placed us together. We ministered to a small group of ladies who seemed to be each feeling somewhat isolated, not a part of the Body or not important, and alone. We left them more connected and flowing in His Love toward one another... a powerful picture of how much He loves us! All because we pray and intercede and flow in unity and at a high level of agreement. While we were preparing to minister, I heard the Lord say, "Pay attention to the lowest common denominators vs. the Highest common denominator!"

I can't tell you how many times I have had this discussion with my daughter. From a very young age - we have explained to her the fleshly tendency to convert to the lowest common denominator. We must pick our friends and those we spend a great deal of time together with carefully because sooner or later, we will find that point of commonality and all gather there. For better or for worse! When the enemy is attacking us, it is so vital for us to seek out a point of agreement that will stretch our faith and cause us to rise up - not to lower down! Finding those who will join in with you in the flesh is easy... you won't have to look far! These are Jobs friends... these are those whose intentions are good - but often times, you come away from spending time with them feeling worse than when you started out.

Seek out relationships and connections that cause you to rise up... seek out the Highest Common Denominator! Jesus IS our Highest Common Denominator! He desires to stir you up and reveal to you the best He has in mind for you... and you must be linked up with those whose point of agreement will fall on Him and His Word above anything else! This is His desire - all because He knows full well the power of agreement! He is not gathering us together simply for our enjoyment - although that is more a part of it I think than we often realize! He is so for us - and He WANTS us to enjoy His Blessings... but these Gatherings are for a higher purpose!

Gone are the days and weeks of travailing... I mean - sure - there will still be things that we fight for and battle for in prayer - however I believe we are entering a season where we know who we are and Whose we are and we rise up in Kingdom Power and Authority and loose the answer! We will pray and see and experience instantaneous answers. Miracles and healings, resurrections, and deliverance at our hands - not because we are all that, but because HE is 'all that' and because we know the authority we wield! As my little team of three prayed together the week before the meeting on Saturday, the Lord showed me that where there are areas in our boundaries or armor that are weak - in the past the enemy would rush in and attack there and gain access. However, now is the season where we see the Lord rise up in us and as the enemy attempts to enter in - we simply say, "Access Denied!" and he has to flee! The battle belongs to the Lord, and He has said, "Access Denied!" to the enemy over your life!

It has long been prophesied that the next big move of God will be nameless and faceless - and I believe it is because it is not ONE person, or ONE church... but it is multitudes of small gatherings moving in power and might, moving in agreement, rising up in Kingdom authority and taking back ground the enemy had assumed would be his forever - all over the world, at the same appointed time!

So, I encourage you to rise up! Look around you... you just may find a group of unexpected friends who God has placed before you for a greater purpose... and if, for whatever reason, you do not find this - know that this is His will for you! Pray and ask Him to connect you to others who are also connected in faith and power to the Highest Common Denominator!

He unites us, empowers us, He's IN us, He is wanting to spring out and bless those around us... In Him we have agreement!
In Him we have life, and power, and joy, and love...
In Him we have all we could ever need...
let's allow Him to link us together with like-minded believers
and watch Him move in power on earth, 'as it is in Heaven'!

Rise Up! Rise Up!
~Karrilee~

What's YOUR Song of Love?

It has been quite some time since I have sat down to share anything with you but that is not because I have not had anything to share. I have just been very busy and have been really trying to digest all that is stirring in me.

I feel as if we are nearing the end of the season of soaking in His Presence and really allowing revelation truth to settle deep in us (not that this season will ever really be OVER but...) - and we are fast approaching a season of putting action to the things our hearts yearn to see come to pass! I praise God for this time of really getting to know and firmly believe in what is in us... and I am so looking forward to the releasing of the next season to bring it to pass! I truly believe that we are about to enter a time of living in the Kingdom and being Kingdom people. It's not that this is a new thing - but it is more of a Body-wide movement that is coming and I don't know about you - but I want to be among those Kingdom people!

So - stumbling upon this Bill Johnson book on the Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind has been - well - perfect timing! Today we met up and went over Chapter Two... yes - that's right - Chapter Two!? Chapter Two deals with the gateways of our minds and the power of agreement - either with Heaven, or with Hell. In going over the chapter, the Lord reminded me of a vision He gave me back in 2007...
(Click here for a link...
http://abidingloveaboundinggrace.blogspot.com/2007/11/lord-may-our-bowls-overflow.html )

So - we are finally through Chapter Two and will attempt to get through Chapter Three next week... today was awesome and we had a powerful soaking time with the Lord! During the time, I heard the Lord say, "I am singing over you a love song written just for you, just for today... it is meant and destined to touch your heart and draw you closer! This is the full measure of My love for you - " Then I saw three screens playing out in front of me...
1. A Father dancing with his little girl, laughing and giggling, spinning and playing - lavishing His love on her.
2. A Man dancing with His Bride, with passion and hunger in His eyes.
3. A Brother lovingly joking around and playing with His sister.

This reminded me of The Shack...

Again, I heard the Lord say, "This is the full measure of my divine love and desire and acceptance of you. I am SO FOR you! You bless my heart with the things that are stirring in you. I adore your worship and willingness to pray. as you are filling the bowls of intercession, I am well-pleased and you can rest assured that you are loved and that you will be rewarded! Quiet your spirit, wait on Me, and hear My Song of Love that I sing over you!"

So... have you heard the Lord singing your Song of Love lately!? I love that He has a new love song for us each day... I pray you are able to quiet yourself at some point this week... love on Him a bit and listen... I assure you He is singing over you and His Song of Love for you is just what you are needing!!!

~Karrilee~

Are you Settling for Less?

As I am finding my routine again and refocusing my days, I am feeling such promise and open doors coming this year to any who are willing to watch and pray.

We started up our Monday study of Bill Johnsons' "The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind" again and I just quickly wanted to share a couple of things from that...

One of the questions in Day 7 was asking where we are to set our minds - referring to Colossians 3:1-4 - and the answer, of course, is to set our minds on things above. Then Pastor Bill went on to ask why do we need to make a conscious effort to focus on eternal reality. I answered 'because we believe what we SEE and we think on what we believe...' When we train our minds to focus on the Bigger Picture - and to tune in to the fact that this world is not our home - and that the spiritual realm is right here, right now, we know that we are not only able to - but CALLED to - tap into it and our minds begin to 'see' and that eventually turns into thinking about Bigger Things, and then into believing God for Bigger Things!

Through the rest of this Day 7 devotion and study time - God began to remind me of the importance of CREATING AN ATMOSPHERE so that my spirit will be in tune and receptive to Him! I know that something as simple as playing worship music softly in my home - whether I am there and listening - or not - can create an atmosphere in which the Lord knows that He is welcome - and that He is expected! So - I have been doing this once more... really on purpose creating a worshipful peaceful place in my home - and it not only benefits me in my relationship with Him - but others, when they enter my home, can feel welcomed and loved! It's a win-win... I encourage you to just try this and see! I can remember back when I had a toddler and my days could be hectic... this is when the Lord first began revealing this practice to me. I would have Christian TV on or put some praise music on and my day would seem so much better! Not only was the atmosphere affected - but my focus leaned more on the Lord as I would hear a portion of the song playing, or hear a bit of teaching as I went about my day! If you do this - step it up... He is desiring to be more active in your life... and if you have never tried it - I encourage you to give it a try! (And don't forget to let me know how it is working for you after a few days!)

When we moved on to Day 8 one of the questions was asking if it is proper for us to respond as Mary did (in reference to saying, 'let it be done to me according to Thy Will'). I love how Luke 1:37 reads in the Amplified Bible... "For with God, nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment." Wow... that is so encouraging, isn't it?! I answered that yes, of course is it proper for us to respond as Mary did when we know it is a Word from God! So often, we receive a word and it SOUNDS good... but we take it in with a casual attitude, like "if it happens, that is great!" But we must learn to take action in our alignment with and agreement for the Word to come to pass! Often the 'action' is simply stirring up our faith to believe for it, but sometimes there is actual steps we must take and things we must contend for in order to see it come to pass! HOWEVER, we are learning that this does not have to be a hard and exhausting thing - it is a KINGDOM thing and we simply wield our Authority and pull Heaven towards earth!

Lastly, Bill Johnson leads us to 1 John 5:14-15 and asks how we are to ask for things... In the NKJV this Scripture reads like this: "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."

So the answer of course is to ask 'according to His will'! I will be honest here and tell you that I used to think that this was a lazy prayer - a prayer not filled with faith and expectancy - but with room for doubt and uncertainty! Now - for many who pray this way - I am sure that is still true - however, reminding myself and knowing now that praying His will 'as it is in Heaven' is powerful and so much bigger and better and full of faith that I ever imagined has lead to this: having the key phrase 'on earth, as it is in Heaven' stirs up such faith in me and causes me to stop and consider how it really IS in Heaven... and it also causes me to wonder why we settle for so much less?

I don't know about you - but this year, more than any other - I feel that the Lord wants us to have all that we ask of Him... He WANTS to move in power and to see true Kingdom living... He wants us to rise up into our heritage and to begin to ACT like the Royalty that we already are! We must leave behind our pauper mentalities and pick up our Prince and Princess assurances... it is time for us to stand up and act like the Kings' kids... not spoiled and over indulgent - but full of love and life and confidence in not only who we are - but in Whose we are...

Holy Spirit rain down... and cause us to Rise Up - in all we are created to be and do this year!
Press in, Rise Up, and lift your vision higher...
No more settling for less than all of what God has for each of us!
In Jesus' Name,
Amen!

~Karrilee~

Happy New Year... a bit late - but still heartfelt!

It is true... I know I am a bit late in wishing you all a very Happy New Year - but it does come from my heart! Life is good and our holidays were wonderful... relaxing and full of family and friends... focused on all the things that matter most!

It's been a bit trickier this year to get back to a normal schedule - and I am blaming that on my lack of a new Day Planner! I know that doesn't really make sense, but at least until I buy one - that is my excuse!

I wonder what your expectations are for this New Year? I have never really been one to make Resolutions but the older I get the more I enjoy the idea of a whole new start... a clean slate... a new year full of promise and opportunities! For me this year, I am expecting big things... personally I am hoping to finally get direction and move forward in finishing up a book or two. I also am believing God for a new home. We are happy where we are at and have been here for a long time... it is home. However, as our daughter gets older I would love to have a bit more room to have that house full of teenagers on any given day... we have room now - but I believe God could give us more space, with more parking...

On a bigger level, I am really and honestly expecting more Red Letter Parts to be active and seen in my life... His Kingdom come - on earth, as it is in Heaven! This is my hearts desire... I think going through the Bill Johnson book, The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind is helping to stir up faith in me... this book is great - and the group of ladies that are going through it with me are amazing!

I pray your New Year is full of promise and opportunities and that you have a group of people who are like-minded to fellowship with and grow with - and step out in faith with! If you do - you, like me, are blessed... if you don't - pray with me for this and watch and see the Lord come through for you!

His desire is to bless you and cause you to grow... He too desires to see more 'Red Letter Parts' active and apparent in this world of ours!

Expecting with you,
~Karrilee~

2008 Family Christmas Letter

Yes - it is true... this is sort of like cheating - but with Christmas only a couple of days away, I wanted to post some sort of update, and yet am (like everyone else) a little short on time!

So - below is our family Christmas letter for 2008...
Until next time (which, in all honesty, will probably be 2009!)
~Karrilee~

I don’t know about you, but we are still waiting for snow
– still waiting for it to begin to ‘look a lot like Christmas!’
The decorations are on display, the lights are on,
the tree is decked out, & (some of) the presents are wrapped
& yet it still seems impossible to be sitting here,
writing another Christmas Letter already!
This year has gone by SO incredibly fast,
& it was a busy 2008, full of family, friends, & fun times!
As I reflect back over the year,
I can honestly say that I am in AWE of how God
blesses & takes care of us; of how He leads & loves us!
Speaking of LOVE, our little family all three decided
to read “The Shack” this summer.
If you haven’t heard of this little book, you are about to!
Even though inevitably there will be something in there
that you probably won’t agree with,
or that doesn’t quite line up with your thinking,
I highly recommend this book.
I would love to send a copy along with each letter
because the allegory so tenderly yet powerfully
expresses the Father’s Love!

It’s hard to not find ourselves focusing on LOVE this time of year!
Between family & friends, nostalgia & tradition,
shopping & wish lists, parties & pageants… at the root of all we do,
it is (or should be) Love that compels us!
After all – we are called to follow after our newborn King
who was so compelled by His Love for us,
that He willingly gave up His life, so that we may live!
As if that wasn’t enough,
it’s His Love that continues to draw & guide us!

At the end of last year, I had come to a point where (finally!)
I was ready for change! As much as I did not want to make a
New Years’ Resolution, I knew it was time & by the end of January
I had made some changes & stumbled upon SparkPeople.com
So far this year, I have lost nearly 60 pounds (& counting).
I knew that this year would bring breakthrough in many areas
& would open up new opportunities for me, - for all of us!
Kayelyn had a new opportunity of her own in January
when she attended her first ever church camp!
Winter Camp was amazing for her & it really impacted her!
In February, we took Kayelyn & Holly to the Portable Sounds Tour
with Matt West, Jeremy Camp, & TobyMac. What a show!
We also got to see our favorite comedian live in town at the
Capitol Theater! We had a great time laughing at new & old material with Brian Regan. He makes us laugh every time! In March, thanks to Facebook, I met up with one of my dearest friends from high school days! It was so great to catch up & pick right up where we left off (many) years ago! In the Spring, Kayelyn began private tennis lessons again, & the month of May was VERY eventful for us! We now have an official Teenager in the house!
Dave went to a men’s retreat, Kayelyn got contacts for her birthday, & she & I went to see Carrie Underwood in concert. Dave hooked up with an old buddy of his own & they went to see RUSH at the Gorge! Summer brought a family reunion, a trip to Boise, a summer youth Intern program for Kayelyn through our church, Summer Camp, a family retreat at a cabin near Walla Walla, a Christian conference in town, a trip to Whidbey Island, a weekend with my high school BFF’s Annette & MaryAnn, along with Kayelyn (& the Super Mall), a visit from the Beelers & the Balls, & the beginning of Junior High! (Insert deep breath here!) In September, Dave took a Flight lesson & loved it, I became the “Scrapbook Queen” of Yakima, & Dave & Robert went on a fishing trip on Roberts’ new boat! Fall brought our 16th Anniversary, a trip to Walla Walla,
meeting up with more old friends (thanks to Facebook, again!), our annual Leavenworth weekend, a wonderful Thanksgiving, & even a little Black Friday shopping for Dave & I! I just got back from a powerful women’s retreat & we are looking forward to doing some outreaches as a family this holiday season!

Once again, this time of year stirs up so much reflection…
& while life is full of changes, of ups & downs, twists & turns,
I find more & more that I am at peace & the most happiest
when I am able to sit back & know that it is Love that compels me.
When Love is my motive, things tend to fall in place much easier.
When Love compels me, He shines all the more!
Our hearts’ desire is to be vessels that He freely flows through this season, & all year long! We so want everyone to know that God is so FOR you…! He loves you so… &, as William P. Young says in The Shack,
“Papa is especially fond of you!”

We pray you know that - that it settles in you deep & brings you peace!

Merry Christmas!
Love to you –- Ours & His,
~The Aggetts~

"Comfort Zone? What Comfort Zone?" - Flying without a Net!

Wow... what a powerful weekend!

I was challenged & honored to even be considered to minister

at a Women's Retreat last weekend!

It was rather last minute, & I was hesitant to go...

I was asked to accompany two dear friends whom I love & respect,

to help pray for & minister to a small group of ladies whom I had never met!

Normally - I would jump at the chance, but because of the timing & short notice,

I found myself struggling with God!

You see, my 'comfort zone' is one to be completely prepared & prayed up...

outline made & message ready...

not to mention that this is now December, & I am just busy!?

However, as I prayed, I felt the Lord asking me to step out...

take a risk... (quit living this quiet radical life & live out loud with Him!)

Once I finally agreed to go, the dynamics of the Team shifted

& I realized that God had once again tricked me into going?!

My safety net was gone & I realized that we were completely

relying on the Lord & had no real schedule

or plan set in place for the weekend.

Our fearless leader operates this way on a consistent basis

& she had the assurance that God always shows up for her

- she was not, in fact, stressed out or worried one tiny bit!

What a lesson for me to learn...

an opportunity to see firsthand that

I (hopefully!) AM ready in season & out of season,

as Scriptures says!

We didn't know from session to session

whom would share or what would be taught on...

it truly WAS Spirit-led!

I had no safety net - at least not a fleshly one!

Of course, I had just written about living out loud

& not being a silent Radical...

so here was my chance...

How could I say no?

What an amazing weekend we had...
God ordained each woman to be there
& every single one of us there came home blessed & changed!
It was powerful & intimate, freeing & healing,
full of emotions & joy...
God really went before each of us & prepared the way.
He led the conversations in the cars traveling there,
& on the couch, by the fire, in the kitchen,
& as we (finally) prepared for sleep!
It is not often that you gather together with a group of women
whom you have never met & immediately feel a connection & at ease.
Our God is so for us - He is so personal & intimate
- of course He created an atmosphere that would invite Him in to show up
in the casual conversations, as well as the anointed times of prayer.
I continue to pray for each woman present at the Retreat
& trust that God is still stirring & speaking...

I did get a chance to share a bit,
& we were able to all three pray for & over each woman present!
God showed up - as He loves to do
- & had a Word or message or theme for each one individually!
I love ministering like this - & to have a team of three who are in agreement
& are believing for God's best for each person is an amazing honor!
At the end of the weekend, we had the ladies pray for us
& that was incredible as well!
Also, I was able to soak in God's presence for a time myself
& He spoke many things to my heart!
Mostly, He reminded me that I am ready... & it is time!

Wherever your "Comfort Zone" boundaries are...

well, I hope you've enjoyed them because,

as He said to one or two people this weekend,

your Invisible season is over!

He is calling us forth to live out loud...

to be radical for Him...

Our time of hiding is coming to an end

& our Comfort Zone nets are being taken away!

In stepping out, we are finding that we really don't need them anyway

- He is & always has been enough

- & even if we DO in fact stumble & fall,

He always catches us & puts on back on the right path!

So - to you radical women of God in the Methow Valley...

I thank you for allowing us to share His heart with you,

for welcoming us, for praying with & for us

...& I pray you continue to

Press In, & Rise Up!

In His Lap, & On His Heart,
(See? I AM Gooey?)

~Karrilee~

"Are you living a Quiet Radical Life?"

This is a question that I felt the Lord ask me a couple of weeks ago. "Are you living a quiet radical life?" I had to stop and think... not because I didn't already know the answer, but because I knew that the answer was not what it should be! The answer was yes! But in my heart, I wanted it to be no! I wanted to be able to say that I live a bold, out loud radical lifestyle... I will say that I do have my moments, but I had to admit that for the most part, I am one of those quiet radicals! If you are one, you know what I mean! If you are not... then that probably sounds strange and doesn't feel quite right rolling off of your tongue!

In context, I was doing this study by Bill Johnson ("The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind") and it was all about renewing your mind and, of course, doing His will. I had just finished up with "Day 4" - which I will give a few highlights from, when I was presented with an opportunity to continue with this 'quiet radical life' or let go of my own reputation... it was a small opportunity - but leave it to God to present it to me right after I finished writing something about this very thing...

The devotion for Day 4 is taken from an excerpt of the book subtitled Renewing the Mind! Here are a few portions that really stood out to me:

"The renewed mind, then, reflects the reality of another world in the same way Jesus shone with heaven's brilliance (at the transfiguration). It's not just that our thoughts are different, but that our way of thinking is transformed because we think from a different reality - from heaven toward earth! That is the transformed perspective. The renewed mind enables His co-laborers to prove the will of God, We prove the will of God when put on display the reality of heaven."

"Every thought and action in your life speaks of allegiance to God or to satan. Both are empowered by your agreement. Renewing your minds means learning to recognize what comes from hell, and what comes from heaven, and agreeing with heaven."

We did a small word study on "Agreement" that was very good...
Then the next question dealt with Obedience... we read Romans 6:15-18,
which in The Message reads:
"So, since we're out from under the old tyranny,
does that mean we can live any old way we want?
Since we're free in the freedom of God,
can we do anything that comes to mind?
Hardly. You know well enough from your own experience
that there are some acts of so-called freedom that destroy freedom.
Offer yourselves to sin, for instance, and it's your last free act.
But offer yourselves to the ways of God
and the freedom never quits.
All your lives you've let sin tell you what to do.
But thank God you've started listening to a new master,
one whose commands set you free to live openly
in his freedom!"

Bill writes: "A worldview isn't so much WHAT you see, as it is a new way of seeing. The way you see reality is what determines what you think and how you live. In fact, you can't properly be said to believe in something unless there are behaviors in your life that reveal your dependence on that way of seeing. So in truth, agreement in our lives is established through obedience."

He goes on to ask why obedience requires trust in the person you are obeying.

When we line ourselves up in obedience, we create a bond of service to our Master. The longer (or more intense) our service is, the more like our Master we become. When we make a conscious decision to obey - trust is a huge issue because to be totally submitted and committed, we must trust that our Master is FOR us! However, in our blindness, we required little trustworthiness in our Sin-Master because the enemy so often convinces us that we can trust no one but ourselves (and we are enslaved to him - the father of lies and the one MOST untrustworthy!) We pray Blind Eyes opened, and the Fathers' heart revealed, because a conscious decision is a decision for Christ and for true freedom!

We also touched on Matthew 7:24-27 which is the parable of the wise man and the foolish man building their house. This is a wrap up of the Sermon on the Mount which is FULL of powerful teaching and it drives home the point to the whole message - which is obedience! It's not enough to HEAR these sayings (or to build our house!) but we must PUT THEM INTO ACTION through obedience by building on the Rock! The wise man Followed Through while the foolish man was a hearer only! Just as in the parable, our very Foundation should be that of Faith! Faith in His authority, faith in His ability to bring heaven to earth through us! We simply MUCH believe if we are to endure the wind and the rain! Notice, both the wise and foolish go through teh storm - but only the wise stand strong and undaunted! Is that not what our God desires and equips for us? When our way of seeing is filtered through Faith, Hope arises! And when Hope & Faith combine, Love pours out in Action! So James 2:17 rings true - faith without works is dead... 'faith without works is like the foolish man! He may LOOK wise and strong, but when the storm comes, he is on sinking sand! We must put our Faith to work compelled by Love to prove the will of God!

Looking at 2 Cor 5:17 ("Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.") Bill asks what it means to be a new creation, and I think 'new' is in regards to form, and not time! I think to be a 'new creation' means more than being redeemed. He REcreated us to be in His likeness - with Him abiding in us! We are not just redeemed to our original Adam nature, but are a new creation to our 2nd Adam nature - which is Jesus! Nothing is lacking! It definitely includes new experiences! Pastor Bill goes on to ask what we think it takes to go from "Anything can happen" to "Impossible things must take place..." My answer... I think it takes a renewing of the mind. It takes an obedience to Follow Through, and it takes a leap of faith - KNOWING His will is to move in power through us and to work WITH us to prove His will on earth to a lost and dying world!

The final question is where I began to get this 'quiet radical life' revelation... the final question of Day Four reads:
"Why do you suppose that people will admit that they experienced the supernatural power of God when they received salvation, but now, years later, they have no expectation to walk in the supernatural ministry of Christ? Do you recognize "bad teaching and disappointment" have been contributing to that mind-set? Have you experienced unmet expectations in the area of encountering God?"

Wow... so full... This is what I wrote for my answer:
I think many EXPECT the supernatural at salvation, and then either have no expectations after that, or they have had expectations unmet or unanswered and EXPERIENCE takes over EXPECTATION. Disappointment is a HUGE contributor to lack of faith and lack of follow through! It's an open door the enemy uses at every turn to hold us back from truly living! We tend to live a QUIET RADICAL LIFE, sharing our encounters only in rooms where we are all like-minded. This is great - but we hesitate to shout it from the mountains because we don't want people to think we are crazy or weird! But here's the secret that we are learning: We are NOT crazy or weird. We are ALMOST 'normal' - and well on our way to consistently living the 'normal Christian life'!

Amen?! It hit me that very few of my outer circle really know my conversations with the Lord, or the things He shows me. I suppose that could be true of many of us - but I started to wonder if I was living radically in silence, and if so - what good is that doing?! Sure - I am blessed, and I am secure in hearing His voice and in our intimacy - but is that really affecting the Kingdom!? Then - literally minutes after writing these answers and pondering this quiet radical life, my husband read an older post here and wanted to forward my blog on to some family and friends. My immediate response was no... I know this is a public blog, and anyone can read it - but my initial reaction was wanting to preserve that quiet radical life even though I know He is calling me to live out loud on a bolder level! You see, as much as I love and cherish the friends and family that he suggested sending this blog to - I don't really talk about this side of my life with them! They know I believe - uh - strangely, maybe?! But I felt that they had no idea HOW differently... of course, in the end, I gave up my reputation and thought - you know, one day this blog will be a book and they will want to read it then, if not before! Besides, why do I care?! Shouldn't I WANT to share what He is showing me?! I do - but as the Lord showed me, much of it is shared in 'safe rooms' - but in the safety of like-minded people, who am I bringing the Kingdom to? Who am I bringing revelation or challenging preconceived ideas? There is something wonderful and powerful about Agreement and of being in one accord... of being part of a remnant! However, I believe in this new season, the Lord is rising up those who are willing to lay down their own will... to lay down their own reputation - but put His on the line!

So - this is the secret for you as well as me... the secret is that no matter what others think - we have the assurance that the Lord LOVES us and He desires to move through us in power! We are NOT crazy or weird... but we are striving to be normal! What is the 'normal Christian life'? Bill says it like this: The normal Christian life is to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons! The normal Christian life is a life that walks in Power and that is able to operate from one reality to another, bringing heaven towards earth!

Rise Up... Be Bold... Step Out...
Put His reputation on the line...
He can handle the pressure!

In Him,
~Karrilee~

Encounters with God

Nice! This is where we spent our weekend and it was so relaxing!!!

Something has been stirring within me lately and I hate that it takes me so long to get back to you here... because I feel as though I should choose what to focus on and edit my thoughts so as not to bore you! I would love to go through a few key questions/comments that have come from our Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind study, and I would love to share a vision/conversation that I had with the Lord over my weekend away... I will attempt to do both and still try to keep this brief... (you can pray now, if you like!) LOL! I just wanted to share a few encounters with God that I have had lately... first, in the Word through this study, and secondly, during our weekend getaway!

So - my original plan was to just post a short little summary of what we covered for each week... obviously I have not yet done that - so I will try to catch up here and then (hopefully) post each week from here on out... I just want to give a few highlights of the past couple of weeks... of course, the best part of the study is the conversations and prayers that are shared during our meeting - but here are a few things written in my journal:

If "on earth as it is in heaven" is the will of God, how do we recognize when Heaven is coming to earth? Much has been done over the centuries and called 'God's will," but how do we know what God's will really looks like?

God's will looks like exactly what Jesus did (and still does through us - if we're willing!)

Jesus is the revelation of God's will. He showed us what Heaven (where the Father's will is perfectly expressed) looks like on earth. Since Jesus is the revelation of the Father, list some aspects of God's character that you see in Jesus.

They really ARE 3 in 1... every characteristic of the Father is seen and made known in and through Jesus! He is the glory of God, the divine & has the fullness of the Father in Him. He is Love and Mercy and Grace! He is Power and Forgiveness and Restoration. Every good thing we see in Jesus - IS the Father! (This so reminds me of The Shack!)

John 14:12 clearly links believing in Christ with doing His works, and here in this passage, as throughout the Book of John, Christ is specifically referring to the miraculous works that the Father gave Him to do as signs of His divine appointment. The promise that our faith would lead us to even greater works is huge! Why do you suppose believers have a hard time receiving this promise in faith?

Because we are not even doing the works that He did - so the idea of GREATER WORKS is impossible to grasp! However, His early ministry was limited to just Him (and then Him and His disciples) and for just 3 years... but now we DO His works on a greater scale - still, when we begin to heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead, we'll begin to have faith for GREATER WORKS!

Do you think that the failure to believe what Jesus promises in these verses is the reason why many who would call themselves 'Christians' don't get commissioned to fulfill the 'primary mission' of destroying the works of the devil?

I think that we tend to make the call smaller - so we can achieve it! We make it 'doable'! I think many lose sight of the fact that we are not just saved FROM some things, but that we are saved TO some things too!

Just a few nuggets to think on...

Now - on to our weekend away! We had such an amazing time! We always do! We look forward to this trip every year! We go with two other couples that we have a long friendship with! We have been through good times and bad and have the most important things in common! It is our own little Retreat of sorts. We can count on hours of laughter, games, walking, shopping, golfing, visiting, praying, worshiping, studying, and good food - every day! So - it is no real surprise that the Lord would speak to me during these trips - because He is always invited in and given room to move! I have had what I call 'snapshot' moments all year long... those moments in time where you really just sort of freeze frame whatever is happening and on purpose drink it all in and store it away; where you give thanks right then and there for the blessings in your life! I had a few over the weekend as well, but it was specifically during a time of worship that I really felt His Presence and knew that He was with us. I closed my eyes in worship and began to see this picture unfold before me. I saw Jesus in the living room with us, and He was so excited to be there with us! He was spinning around the room, looking very much like an excited little boy - grinning from ear to ear! I said, "We've come to worship You Lord!" and He said, "and I've come to bask in your presence!" I thought, what?! That just isn't right, Lord! I have come to bask in YOUR presence!? He replied, "You heard me right... I have come to spend time with you and bask in all of your presence! Yes! This is it!!! THIS is My heart and a picture of My will and desire for you! This is My Body - My Kingdom come - this Friendship and Fellowship is SO Who I am and what I'm about!!! We went on to sing, "Who is like our God?" and He seemed almost giddy and said, "Who is like YOU?! There is no one like YOU! I created you and there is no one like you!"

This weekend was a blessing because the only expectations were for us to gather - to love, to laugh, to have fun & relax... these, too, are expectations He has of and for us! These alone! He said, "There are no expectations - but for good and simple RELATIONAL things! This is my Kingdom come - on earth, as it is in Heaven!"

He is SO FOR us!!!

Amen!

~Karrilee~

Changing Atmospheres, the Kingdom at hand, and other powerful Realities!

Isn't this GORGEOUS?!

I LOVE it!

I just love Fall... and this is one of my favorite photo's I have taken this year so far,

however my most favorite 'snapshot' was stumbled upon without a camera.

As I was driving out of town to visit friends last week,

I turned the corner on the highway and was blessed with

a breathtaking view of the Yakima River, early morning -

Mist rising on the surface of the water,

with all the colors of Fall in the trees all around!

It was majestic.

How could I not praise Him as I drank that in!

I began to regret not having my camera with me!

I so wanted to capture the beauty of the season!

At that very moment, I heard the Lord whisper to me,

"This is just for you and Me!"

Nice!!! He is especially fond of me, you know?!

(Oh yes - and you too! I promise! He is especially fond of you, too!)

He went on to show me (because I am so visual)

that He desires that we be so equipped

to change the atmosphere around us

due to the Kingdom of God within us,

that we will be like the scene He placed before me!

The air and the water temperatures were creating

a mist that was visible on the surface - right in between them.

We should so affect the world around us,

that we literally bring heaven to earth

& change the atmostphere around us!

When we feel a change in the air,

when we percieve something shifting

- we should be well aware that it is the Kingdom of God within us

changing the dynamics of our physical world, in the spiritual.

It's our call and joy to pull it in to this realm

- to call forth His will on earth,

'as it is in Heaven'!

The Kingdom truly IS at hand...

It is alive and living within us!

Let's take up our Authority and pray in faith

for the Father's will ...

Thy Kingdom come,

on earth, as it is in Heaven!

On Sunday morning the Lord woke me up at 3:33 am...

Seriously, Lord?! 3:33am?!

To be honest I just laid there reluctantly...

I tried to rationalize not getting out of bed for what seemed like 5 minutes,

yet when I glanced back at the clock, it was still reading 3:33am

Now, I have had a few seasons of 3:33s so I have studied it out before.

The Number 3 represents the Kingdom of God.

Also - many major huge important things in the Bible happened 'on the third day'.

So - I did the math & realized that the third day from Sunday

- was in fact, Election Day here in America!

I looked up several '333' Scriptures and prayed through them...

(Psalms 33:3; Proverbs 3:33)

However, the verse that came to me immediately was a life verse that has been spoken over me many times and has become one of my favorites! It is found in Jeremiah 33:3 and it reads:

"Call to Me, and I will answer you,

and show you great and mighty things,

which you do not know."

Again... nice!!!

So I went on to pray the entire chapter,

which - by the way - is entitled "The Restored Nation" in my Bible!

I'm up for that!

A few other verses that stood out to me (yet again) are:

"Behold, I will bring it health and healing;

I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance

of peace and truth.

And I will cause the captives of Judah

and the captives of Israel to return,

and will rebuild those places as at the first.

I will cleanse them from all their iniquity

by which they have sinned against Me,

and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned

and by which they have transgressed against Me.

Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise,

and an honor before all nations of the earth,

who shall hear all the good that I do to them;

they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness

and all the prosperity that I provide for it.’ " (vs 6-9)

Don't you want that for our nation as well?!

I am praying and believing that for America...

Today - our Election day...

no matter what the results,

I have faith in knowing that my God

works all things together for good and

He has a plan and a purpose for this nation.

He is the One (ultimately) that raises kings and rulers,

and that causes them to fall.

I listened to Kim Clement talk last night about prophesies

he has been given about this election

and it was so interesting to hear...

but even more amazing to feel the sense of purpose and peace

that went along with knowing that no matter who you vote for...

no matter who 'wins' -

our God is in charge & is

well able and willing to

Bless America!!!

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done,

On earth as it is in Heaven!

~Karrilee~