Amazing Love... He'd do it again!

I have to share that for the past several weeks, or months,

the Lord has requested that I do not share

much during these Prayer meetings.

At first I was sort of relieved.

I tend to be a bit hesitant to share,

feeling like I do not want any undue attention.

I am careful (usually) to point to the Lord.

Obviously, whatever He reveals or shares,

is from Him & has little to do with me anyway.

So, when He first asked me to be silent,

I gladly agreed - not wanting to be known

as the 'Vision Girl' or whatever?!

You all know what I am talking about...

we tend to relate to people in the Body

according to the gift or anointing that we see them moving in.

Of course - we must know on a deeper level,

that there is more to them than what we see

- but time restraints & other issues often keep us

from going deeper with each other!

I was, at first, glad to find He was still showing me things,

but asking me to keep quiet.

I did feel that He was happy I was writing

things down here for some reason.

I came to realize it was some sort of a test for me,

at least on one level.

I came to search my heart & wonder if

I, myself, was getting my identity mixed up in the gifting.

I also went through a short period where I felt like I didn't belong.

I wasn't sure if it was really an attack from the enemy,

or an unsettling from God.

But I realized that it was because

I was not able to share or pour out,

& I began to question if God was moving me

on to a new place & a new season.

To be honest, I was a bit surprised at the feeling

of discontent in that thought!

It seems for nearly 7 years,

we have been planted & moved in shorter seasons.

I think much of what the Lord was doing in me

was to show me that He truly has planted me here.

I can know that He is in control,

that I will Go when He says Go,

but until then - I am planted!

I felt a release of responsibility

as others began to share & step out as well!

It is exciting to see that others are hearing

the same message in a different way.

Each week it seems that the Lord shows me something

- & others as well - the message is the same,

however the way we see or receive it is different!

Isn't God good to speak to us in a way

that we can each relate & accept!?

Anyway - it has been harder for me

to remain silent as the weeks go on,

but I also know that God, in His faithfulness

is still pouring out truth to me,

He is still revealing more of what He wants me to know & see,

& there is coming a day where He will release me again.

This silence has been a time to ponder & consider

& test my own heart as to what & why I share things...

Do I want the fame or glory?

No...

Do I like the 'in' & acceptance it can open up to me?

Sometimes... yes!?

Is it so closely tied with who I am that I feel cast aside if I don't get to move in it?

Again... sometimes, yes!?

Do I know that it is not about me, & all about Him?

Yes... I do... however, in the spirit of transparency,

the lines can tend to get blurry if I am not watchful!

I believe there is coming a releasing

& in order to flow with it,

I will need to have these things settled in my heart!

(...And you will too!)

So - for that, I am thankful for this time of holding my tongue!

The most amazing thing to me is that even while

He is searching my heart & my motivations,

He continues to pour out Himself & reveal His plans!

So - today during Prayer,

we began worship by singing "Amazing Love".

This is one of my all-time favorite songs...

as we entered in to worship, I was singing along,

"Amazing Love, how can it be?

...that You my King would die for me..."

As I sang out, I heard Him say,

"I would do it again! ...I would do it again for you!

Some days I feel like I am - like I have...

My Love is poured out freely over all

- & so often, it goes unnoticed & unappreciated.

Oh how your heart would break with Mine...

You say you feel unnoticed & unappreciated

- know that in this, I can relate!

Oh that your heart would break with mine

& allow Me to flow freely through you.

You are My hands & feet...

my very heartbeat to the world.

My desire is that you would follow My lead

& allow My Love to flow freely.

Do not worry about what others would say or think;

Do not worry about how they will react

or what they will DO with this Love.

Just pour it out!

If we work & move together as One

- as we were made to be - they will not withstand us!

The Father & I are One... & we should be One as well!

My Love will go unnoticed & unappreciated no more!

There is coming a wave of Glory!

There is coming a move of Divine Love

- & it is coming through YOU!

Each of you, who are willing,

...allow Me to love on you!

...spend time with Me,

& then go forth - drenched in My Love, & Mercy, & Grace,

& reach out - pour out that which I have given you!

Freely you have received, now freely give!"

Wow?! Sounds like a Mandate to Love...

We must Love Him first...

Receive His Love...

& then Go Forth to Love others!

Last week,

He encouraged me/us to pay attention to what

He shows us in others & speak it forth!

I pray you had an opportunity or two to do that!

I was able to hear His call to send out a few cards,

& while preparing to do that,

I really asked for His heart for these women...

It amazes me, every time, that when we ask...

He is waiting to answer!

Continue on this week in Love!

Look for opportunities to

Speak Life & Spread Love!

"Amazing Love, How can it be?

That You my King, would die for me?

Amazing Love, I know it's True!

It is my Joy, to honor You!

In all I do, I honor You!"

In Him, & His Amazing Love,

Be Blessed!

~Karrilee~

A Treasure to Behold

"We receive You, Lord" was spoken in our opening prayer & immediately

I see a little girl, buzzing with excitement & joy & anticipation

as she gazed around her chair to admire

all the gifts set before her feet.

They were all so pretty! fancy, & wrapped in glitter & glitz,

with shiny ribbons & velvety bows!

She could have almost missed it...

that one small gift in the center of the floor...

It didn't exactly blend in, it was more the opposite.

Her eyes focused in on the gift - one small present, wrapped in plain brown paper.

No ribbons, no bows...

nothing flashy to grab hold of her attention,

& yet, that is what it did!

She couldn't seem to make sense of it,

- it stood out from all the others in it's simplicity.

It should!

The Giver of this gift knew it needed no hoopla.

He knew this was the perfect gift for her.

He didn't need to add Ribbons & Bows.

As I saw this little girl pondering the seemingly

plainness of this package,

I became her & heard a Voice behind me say,

"Yes, that is the One True Gift... that is all you will need!"

I reached out to grab this basic brown paper box,

& all the other gifts vied for my attention.

The began to shift & move & try to jump into my hand.

I could almost hear them crying out my name.

I pressed through & picked up this present

& set if on my lap.

As I held it, the other gifts began to disappear

& disintegrate before me.

As I felt the weight of this box on my lap,

it was light - almost too light,

& for a brief moment, I feared it was empty.

But, as I put my hands on it to open it up.

I felt an energy rush through me

& I knew this was literally a treasure to behold!

As I began to untie the twine,

just like a Jack-in-the-Box pops up wanting to break free,

my Jesus emerged from my box,

smiling & ready to present me with gifts!

He began to pull gifts our of the box

& place them not in my HANDS,

but in my HEART!

As He would gently reach in for more,

I realized He was not in the box with all the gifts,

but He was taking things from within Himself

& placing them in me!

As He was pulling things out of Himself

& placing them into my heart,

He would pause & show me what was written on each one!

He pulled out 'Compassion', 'Mercy', 'Love', 'Intercession',

'Faith', 'Forgiveness/Die to Self', 'Prophecy', etc.

Some stirred excitement & some stirred fear.

'Suffering' was among the last.

"Yes, Lord, even Your Suffering

- for I know the Resurrection & the Life!

Though I would rather skip this one,

I know if it is my portion,

You will breathe life & purpose into even the Suffering!"

"You see," He said,

"when you receive Me, you get it all!

It can be a little at a time,

or I can overwhelm you & fill you up with all of Me!

My desire is to get out of the box & fill you with every good & perfect gift.

I AM the Giver of all things - I don't need the Robbins & Bows!

What I have to offer is simple & true.

I don't need glitz & glamour to draw attention to Myself.

My desire is to Overwhelm you!

Receive Me, and I will overwhelm you!"

I prayed, "I receive You... & I give You me, Lord!"

He replied, "...& I give you to them!

Speak Life to them... all who cross your path!

Speak Life & Love & Exhortations to one another!

What you 'see' in others that if Life & Light,

SPEAK it out & into them,

just as Christ poured gifts into you!"

Jesus...

He is sending us...

He is OUR Treasure to Behold...

& in our receiving Him,

He fills us up & sends us out!

I pray you will find boldness & discernment

to Speak Life & Let Love Flow...

Make a difference in some one's day... in their life...

stir up the gift that is inside of them,

release their destiny,

Step Out & Step Up!

~Karri~

A Light Shines in the Darkness...

As Prayer began today,

I felt like I was immediately walking with Him along a shoreline.

In my mind's eye, I could see us hand in hand,

strolling along the beach, talking.

In the beginning, I could see the other people all around us.

Kids playing, kites flying, dogs chasing sticks...

I could see the beachfront homes, businesses, & scenery.

However, as we continued walking,

I would get so caught up in our conversation

that everything else began to pale in comparison!

I have had those walks in the natural!

Strolling along the shoreline with my husband, or a good friend...

walking & talking & laughing together...

I can remember those walks & looking around as we meandered down by the water.

however, my focus was on the conversation at hand!

Just as in the natural, when I stopped walking with the Lord -

& we looked back behind us, I could see just how far we had come!

When we stay connected & tuned in to the Lord,

we will travel with Him & follow His lead,

& who can know how much our surroundings will change!

When we put Him first, & give Him our focus & attention,

we draw closer to Him in intimacy,

& learn to walk side by side with our Lord!

As I continued on walking with the Lord today,

I saw a large Cloud or Mist come in & wash over me.

It transported me to a different place

- just for a time - for a Purpose!

It could be in the Spirit, or in the natural...

it could be inside or outside of time.

This made me think of this great book I am (re)reading right now.

It is called "The Secret Place" by Dr. Dale Fife.

In it he talks about a time when angels came to him during

a prayer meeting & he traveled with them to many different places

& prayed for healing for several people.

He doesn't really go into if it is in the natural or Spirit

- but it is clear that it happened & that it seemed real at the time.

I believe Jesus is the same yesterday, today, & forever...

He transported people in Bible times...

& I believe He will do it today, if we are willing & have the faith for it!

Now, don't worry - I do know how crazy that may sound!

Honestly, I do!

...& yet, I believe with my whole heart

that He is calling those to hear His voice & have a willing heart.

I believe that there is coming a time that, if we are willing,

He will take us to places where intercessors are needed,

& healing must take place.

Whether it happens physically or in the spirit,

it WILL happen!

The other thing I heard the Lord say this morning was this:
"This year is the year of Isaiah 60...

However, Isaiah 59 must come first!"

Isaiah 59 starts out rather dark & depressing,

then comes the call to intercession & a Promise!

(Then comes Isaiah 60!!!)

I believe that - due to the events that are coming in the natural,

(which match up with Isa 59, by the way!)

we will be given PLENTY of opportunities to live out Isa 60!

So, while some of the Words that are coming forth

may seem overwhelming, & even a bit scary...

let me say, as we press in to Him, trust in His Shield & Covering,

& learn to hear His voice more clearly...

We will see the Lord not only be our Protection, Our Healer & Deliverer,

but we will see Him be that for others...

THROUGH us!

Press In & Press On

In His Name, & In His Arms,

~Karrilee~

Liquid Gold and the Love of God

Good Evening!

I have had a full day & yet I knew I would not have much time if I didn't just sit down to write tonight! I am still trying to put order to my thoughts & the things the Lord has been showing me over the past week or so. Some things are a bit fuzzy & others seem crystal clear - & yet not everything meshes & not everything that He shows is for broadcasting but for interceding!

Late last week the Lord gave me a dream. I am not a Dreamer - as in, I do not dream... pretty much ever?! I rarely wake up & remember having any kind of dream sequence at all. I have been experiencing an increase in visions during prayer over the past year - which I most often share right here on this blog. But dreams!? No... rarely happens. So - when it DOES - I pay attention. Usually it is meaningful & the Lord is attempting to speak to me.

I remember probably about a decade ago going on vacation with some of our best friends. We were on our way to the beach & stayed overnight in a relatives condo. We put the kids to bed & stayed up all night talking about dreams & visions & we prayed & agreed that we all really wanted to have them. As I was drifting off to sleep that night I remember telling the Lord that I didn't really want any 'heavy' or 'dark' dreams... no warnings or intense, harsh revelations. I wanted a dream where Jesus would come & reveal Truth to me - but just happy, feel-good truth. I remember falling asleep when I heard Him speak to my spirit & say, "Well, then, my love - you are not ready for Dreams!" I remember feeling rather grateful that He could discern this as I fell into slumber. I woke up &, no surprise, I did not dream. No spiritual awakening or prophetic insight whatsoever?! In fact, we all sort of seemed rather disappointed that none of us had any Dream to share. That was years before I had encounters/visions with Jesus & angels & He began to speak through me prophetically. I do believe that that hunger & prayer spoken that evening planted seeds that grew into the harvest of giftings I know am open to & walk in. And yet, still... I rarely get Dreams!

I did last week... it was intense & heavy & harsh & I am sure dark, filled with a warning... but here's the deal: I don't remember much of it!? I know it was important!? In fact, I remember waking up thinking, "Hey - I should write this down!?" But I fell back asleep & when I awoke in the morning - details were already fuzzy & blurry... I did write down what I could remember... & I am praying that He will give me the same Dream again so I can get more clarity & details. That is usually how it works with me & Him. The few times I HAVE had a Dream - I trip on it for a few days & then He gives it to me again. Anyway - when & if I get more clarity - I will share it then! Let me just say that in the midst of it, even with all the chaos & stuff that was going on - I had such an expectant heart of Joy & Excitement... & in the end - I saw the Glory of the Lord break over the mountains that surround our Valley & fill the 'temple' where I was... in other words, it ended well! Which - in all honestly - may have been the message in & of itself!? Whatever it is that we are facing, or will be facing, we can rest assured that the Glory of the Lord is for us & it will end well!

A couple of nights after the original dream - I had another... don't remember a THING about it - but I woke up & said out loud, "17! There is something important about 17!" ??? OK!? Later on that night, I awoke & 'saw' in the Spirit "Jer 33:3" Great... super - wonderful verse! "Call to Me & I will answer you & show you great & mighty things, fenced in & hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of & understand)." The Amplified Bible.

So - Tuesday on my way to Prayer, I found myself just speaking & singing the Name of Jesus over & over... & suddenly, He was there in power. It was so intense & lovely. I found myself praying in the Spirit & then praying that we will move into a season of hearing & moving with boldness & without hesitation! That we would KNOW that we are His sheep & that we DO hear His Voice... I believe we are entering a time & season where we need to know that we hear Him & that we will obey immediately. We must break free from the spirit of Hesitation... (that is oh so closely related, I believe, to the spirit of Fear of Man!) We are coming into a time where He really WILL say, "Here is the way, walk in it!" He will guide us & instruct us on what to do, where to go, & what to say... as we discipline ourselves to hear & follow His lead! Of course, during the time of sharing/teaching - this was all confirmed.

Now - before I share the vision that I had on Tuesday, I want to include a portion of a Word that Bobby Conners shared via The Elijah List. This was a dream that God gave him & the vision that I had sort of evolved from his experience! My vision is an extension of his dream...


(Taken from a Dream that was shared in a Word from Bobby Conners via The Elijah List:)
"It is time to kiss the sword!"

I am standing in a large crowd of people, in a place which appears like a large hallway or passageway, much like a walkway in an airport terminal, but much larger. The people are standing around chatting and visiting. They seemed to be content simply to be standing around, going nowhere. Suddenly, about forty feet away, Christ Jesus appears. The people continue their idle chatter, seemingly unaware and oblivious of the Lord's approach. He is walking with resolve toward me with a big, brilliant, glorious sword in His right hand. His sword is glowing, gleaming, and razor sharp. He continues walking until He stops directly in front of me. Lifting the sword up high above His head, He says in a most compelling tone, "It is time to kiss the sword!" This is a strong directive and command. While speaking these words, He lowers the sword to His face and places it at His lips. He orders, "Kiss the sword!" I extend my face and lips, preparing to kiss the sword--which is placed flat against Christ's lips. As I lean forward to kiss the sword, He turns the sword so that the extremely sharp blades face His lips and mine. I am hesitant to continue to press my face and lips into the edge of the sharp, glistening sword. Knowing my reluctance, He says, "My grace is sufficient for you, and I bore the pain for you!" His Words stir deep within my soul, arousing strong confidence and assurance in my heart, releasing courage for me to continue to press my lips firmly against the razor-sharp sword. In spite of His reassuring promise of no pain, I have to war against my mind--it is not totally convinced that I will not be wounded, but will feel excruciating, unbearable pain.

Nevertheless, as the sword begins to penetrate, making its way into my lips, I felt only pleasure, not pain. So I press even harder, as my deepest longing is for my lips to meet the lips of the Master. My heart is filled with the plea of Song of Songs: "Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth, because His mouth is altogether lovely." I can feel a hot flow pouring forth from my lips. I know for sure that it is blood streaming down my chin and onto my chest: I can feel its warmth, as well as hear its splatter upon my feet and the floor. I am truly amazed and astounded, thinking I must be bleeding extremely badly.

Nevertheless, I feel absolutely no pain, only a deep unexplainable pleasure resulting in transcending peace. As I look down at my chest and feet to see what is flowing from my lips, it is not my blood at all, but rather, it has the appearance of flowing, glowing, liquid gold. The Lord says, "That is My glory--it is released by embracing the Spirit of Truth."

"He who loves purity of heart & has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend." Proverbs 22:11

So, during worship, I began to praise God & I went into an open vision where the Lord was before me, holding this Sword out to me. I knew, having read about this Dream the day before, that I was being called to Kiss the Sword. I hesitated because I was still not so sure that it would not, in the end, be the death of me. But, as I began to press in & kiss the sword, I too felt the moist fluid pour out of my mouth & kept my eyes closed. I pressed in further more, also feeling no pain... wanting to press against the Lord. I began to see this happening from a different perspective & I could see that not only was it Glory & not blood pouring forth, but that the blade of the Sword was actually cutting all the way through me. I was then split in half, & I was expecting to see Christ in me, revealed. However, what I saw was a mini-me if you will. It was smaller version of what was on the outside. At first I was shocked, & not a little disappointed. Then He began to speak to me about how He made me to be. He reminded me that He put gifts in me before I ever drew breath - & I would have walked in those whether or not I came to Him in salvation. He gifted me & called me regardless of whether or not I accepted Him. His love is unconditional & that is hard for us to remember & accept. (Not to mention dish out!) Christ looks in us, & He sees US... the way He intended for us to be! I believe that as we press in to Him, & allow His Glory to spill out of us & flow out to others, we will begin to see & accept the fact that He made us the way we are on purpose, for His great pleasure & delight!

We are not in need of all the STRIVING that has so often bound the Body!

It is not OUR righteousness... it is HIS righteousness in us.

It is not OUR holiness... it is HIS Holiness in us.

It is not OUR love, it is HIS Love in us.

Are we in need of repentance & turning away from sin?

Yes! Of course!

Is there a season to be separated & called away from the world to cut all those ties that bind?! Yes! Of course!

However, we are called to be IN the world, but not OF it.

So often, we like to be OF the world, & not IN it.

As this shaking within intensifies, our fleshly response will most often first be to cling to the Law. To cling to religion. To cling to what is 'safe' & 'right' & 'true'. However, I believe these things, or beliefs, are at the very core of WHY there needs to be a shaking in the first place!? As we experience correction from the Lord, & see the shaking all around us, let us be humbled to know that we are His Sheep & we hear His voice... let us find comfort in knowing that He is a personal God! He is speaking things to me, that He doesn't need to speak to you.

We find Grace because Grace Himself offers Himself for each of us!

And as we receive it & press into Him, "Kiss the Sword" & be willing to die,

His Glory & Love flow out from the depths of all

He has planted within us from the very beginning!!

I pray the Lord blesses you & calls you closer this week!

May He continue to extend His Sword to you, draw you into His Presence.

& allow His Liquid Gold... His Glory, & His Love to flow over & through you

to reach out & drench the world around you!

~Karrilee~

(You can read the entire Word from Bobby Conners at:

http://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word/4885 )

"Let Your Love Flow..."

Happy New Year!

I pray that you are all entering 2007 healthy, rested, & ready for all that He has for us in the coming months! I was thrilled... THRILLED I tell you, to get back to our regular routine and take my little one to school, head to the gym, and go on to my weekly Prayer Meeting today! I even saw glimpses of blue sky on my way there! It was wonderful! There was an underlying sense of belonging and excitement to meet not only with the ladies, but with the Lord again - on a regular schedule!

Our holidays were blessed and we enjoyed relaxing times and goofing around with friends and family and I was able to read a bit here and there and spend some time with the Lord - but I have to be real and be honest... I spent more time with my daughter than with Him the past two weeks... we had a grand time together and really enjoyed each others company and I am pretty sure that God is okay with that! But - all that said, I missed Him... and I know He missed me too! So - it was great to walk into that room again and know that He was just as excited to meet us there - and we were to meet Him!

So... first I wanted to define a few Key Words for the day... these are words that the Lord had put on my heart this morning...

Decree: an order usually having the force of law

Declare: to make known formally, officially, or explicitly; obsolete : to make clear; to make evident; to state emphatically, to Affirm

Contend: to strive or vie in contest or rivalry or against difficulties : Struggle; to strive in debate : Argue; to Maintain or Assert; to struggle for : Contest

We know that last year often times the Lord would remind us and call us to a season of Declaring and Decreeing things... we are continually hearing the Spirit of God tell us that we must take our land, stand out ground, and contend for that which the Lord has given or promised us! Now is a season of Contending!

One of the things brought forward this morning at prayer was the fact that God has given us dominion over the Earth! (Gen 1:26; Ps 115:14-18) We are called to rule and to reign in this earth - in this realm... God has given the earth to Man... we have dominion, power, and authority over it! We know that the Word of God is true and that it works... we have been learning to decree and declare things over our own lives... over situations and circumstances that are real to us - but that are personal. It has been good... hard at times... but a good visual and a good reminder that His Word is true and He can be trusted! Now - I believe - we will be entering a season where we will be called to Declare and Decree on a much larger scale. I am reminded of the verse that says, " He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much(Luke 16:10 NKJV) ." What has felt like 'little' - didn't seem little... until we see the 'much'! We were also reminded this morning of Mark 11:22-24. We are called to Declare and Decree out of a place of asking and believing! Faith will play a vital role in the days and months to come... but not in a "I've got it so I will be okay and you should have listened" kind of way... more in a fulfillment of that Nameless/Faceless word of years past! I believe God is raising up a people who will find themselves amazed at the level of Faith that they are able to stand in and point others too thanks to His Abundant Grace and Abiding Love!

As we entered into worship today, I saw this picture of a young Jesus observing Joseph at work in the Carpentry shop. As I watched this scene unfold, I heard the Lord explain it to me... basically, this is what He said:

We were, at one time, called to "Watch & See" - to learn the Family Business by watching God the Father and Jesus His Son at work. It was a learning season that required patience and observation. But now is the season and time for Hands On Training - to "Act & Move!" Just as Jesus watched Joseph, his earthly father, in the carpentry shop - that time was set aside for His benefit. He could observe and learn Joseph's character as well as his trade. But there came a time of maturity when Jesus had to pick up a hammer and learn hands on, how to Build. Just as was that season for Jesus, so are we called now to enter into a time of maturity where God the Father is calling us to build alongside Him and learn His business... to build His Kingdom!

At the end of this experience with the Lord, I heard a familiar tune... it took me a moment to place it and find the words to the song... but here they are... this is - I believe - a part of our call!

"Let Your Love Flow"

There's a reason for the sun shiny sky

And there's a reason why I'm feelin' so high

Must be the season

When that love light shines all around us

So let that feelin' grab you deep inside

And send you reelin' where your love can't hide

And then go stealin'

Through the summer nights with your lover

Just let your love flow

like a mountain stream

And let your love grow

with the smallest of dreams

And let your love show

And you'll know what I mean,

it's the season

Let your love fly

like a bird on the wing

And let your love bind you

to all living things

And let your love shine

And you'll know what I mean,

that's the reason

There's a reason for the warm sweet nights

And there's a reason for the candle lights

Must be the season

When those love rites shine all around us

So let the wonder take you into space

And lay you under its loving embrace

Just feel the thunder as it warms your face

You can't hold back

Just let your love flow
like a mountain stream
And let your love grow
with the smallest of dreams
And let your love show
And you'll know what I mean,
it's the season

Let your love fly
like a bird on the wing
And let your love bind you
to all living things
And let your love shine
And you'll know what I mean,
that's the reason.

I pray this week you will feel the power and Presence while you move from a season of Watching and Seeing - to Acting and Moving! Let your Love Flow...

Blessings,
~Karrilee~

Beauty in Brokenness

I pray all of your Christmas Celebrations were successful - filled with love and family and friends... focused on the Lord and allowing His Fragrance to penetrate the atmosphere even for the briefest of moments!

We had the best Christmas ever... just so relaxed and amazed!

I have been sort of sitting on this post for awhile now... trying to find some balance and footing on what I have been feeling/battling/striving to understand. I am one of those people who will get a Word from the Lord, or a vision, or an insight - and I want to chew on it a bit and really examine it before I speak it out. I know, I know... God is not always wanting me to do that... and I am learning to follow His lead if it is a 'now' kind of thing... but - in my comfort zone - I have time and space to digest for myself what He has shared with me - before I speak it out. I know that God is trying to 'break' me out of this habit!

After receiving a word from the Elijah List not once, but twice... I suppose I will just poor out my heart here and pray that it will encourage and not cause anxiety or confusion. (Although - to be honest - it did do that for me...at first!?)

One overwhelming 'feeling' or awareness that has come to me this year - stronger than at any other time for me - was the fact that I live a Charmed Life. Honestly - I am blessed beyond measure and I live at peace with my family, and my friends. I am secure in my home and in my giftings and am growing in understanding of just how Abundantly the Lord desires for us to live! He came to give us Life, and Life ABUNDANTLY... He loves to bless His kids... I am sort of wired in that one "faith" way - although there is a balance in it all that is sometimes lost - but I have really had a year of feeling like - "Wow?! Why me, Lord?!" I am not rich, or a huge success by the World's standards... but by God's - I am in a good place!

For the past two months or so... that "Why me, Lord?!" feeling sort of shifted to a "What is going to happen... when is the other shoe going to fall?" sort of feeling? It was not heavy or 'present' much of the time - but just always back there in a corner of my mind. At first, it made me really thankful for all that I have and it also made me really drink in certain moments. I found myself really taking 'snapshots' of events or simple moments and thinking things like, "Lord - don't let me ever forget this!" or "Thank you Jesus for giving me this moment!" Gradually though - this feeling began to turn over to fear. My family would go sledding or my husband would be late coming home from work and I would give over to Fear that I had once been delivered from. I would recognize it, and battle it with the Word, and feel somewhat of a release.

I felt this "Doom" that was coming... and I felt like it was a personal thing... I couldn't really tell - however - if it was a warning from the Lord, or an attack from the enemy?! I honestly think it was both... at one point, a dear friend of mine felt that the Lord wanted to tell me that it is okay to be Broken. Brokenness is good... it is! ...I see the Beauty in Brokenness now from a healthier, I think Godlier perspective than what I first feared when she spoke those words! At first, due to the struggle I was going through - I assumed it confirmed that something horrible was coming... something dire... "I-better-hold-my-little-one-closer-and-tell-everyone-I-love-them" sort of fear. I prayed and fasted and prayed some more... I searched my heart and invited the Lord to break me if I was prideful or unwilling... I honestly felt like He and I were good... I found myself asking Job-like questions... pleading with Him to not test me in that way. As much as I love Him... in all honesty - I just don't know how I would pass? He is first - but my husband and daughter are a very close 2nd and 3rd!?

At any rate - I continued to pray for discernment and insight! I battled fear because I knew enough to know I did NOT want to become like Job and have what I greatly feared come upon me! I took Authority, I plead the Blood, I tried to stay in tune.

And then - comes this Word from the Elijah List... check it out if you have not read it... I will give a link at the end of this post! Anyway - it is about earthquakes and eruptions and being prepared. We have all heard and read the prophecies coming about impending earthquakes and volcanic eruptions through out the past years... it's almost like a dulled repetitious tune that keeps replaying - reminds me of the New Testament scripture about the return of the Lord... we can find our senses dulled and our belief teetering over to unbelief when it comes to the fulfillment of the Word. I began to pray about this feeling I was battling and wondering if I was given this burden for the purpose of intercession - and (once again!?) maybe it was not all about me?! It is hard not to read this word and not give over to fear... but I know that God has been preparing us for such a time as this for a long season. I began to feel like as long as I prayed in faith over my family and health and such - why would God all of the sudden not work for me?! Why would He turn His back on me!? I know the Word... and I will need to spend some more time in it - but I also believe now that the heaviness I was feeling was a warning to pray. The enemy simply took that old familiar spirit of fear and began to sow those dreaded "what if's" again! He twisted the warning and began to sow seeds in me that God did not intend. Once I began praying on a broader scale and interceding for my state and country... the heaviness began to lift. Does this mean that nothing bad will happen to me?! We know that bad things do happen to good people - but if we dwell on that and plan for it - we can rest assured that the enemy will take it and run with it! We must abide in a place of faith. We must trust in, lean, and rely on Him and Him alone to see us through!

So - I was getting a clearer picture of what I was being called to do in this season. Simply put - it is to continue to do what I have been doing... but with more intensity and urgency! at teh same time, I began reading this book, called Blue Like Jazz. There was one simple quote in the beginning of the book that gave me an Ah-Ha moment... Donald Miller talks about trying to fix a broken world while not realizing or acknowledging his own brokenness. He went on to write: "I think Jesus feels strongly about communicating the idea of our brokenness, and I think it is worth reflection. Nothing is going to change in the Congo until you and I figure out what is wrong with the person in the mirror." (Blue Like Jazz, pg 23)

Then I stumbled back upon a Blog I used to visit more often and one of the posts asked, "What have you learned this year?" I got to thinking about that... and you know the single most important thing that I have learned this year? It is that God desires us to be REAL... to be transparent... (yes - to be Broken!) Does that mean to be BROKEN-broken... I pray not... but I think it means to be Honest with each other... no more masks and facades!? Brokenness means to be interrupted, to be disrupted due to change, to be damaged or altered by breaking. It seems as if all of these things may be upon us in the next days and months... whether spiritually, physically, or both! ...and yet, we can still run to Him and trust in His covering, His protecting, His provision. He is good... all the time... He is trustworthy and strong. In good times, and in bad times, He is our All Sufficient One! Believe me, I do not know what is coming - to my life or to yours - but I DO know that He is enough... and as long as we stayed tuned in to Him, and we follow His lead, He will cover us and speak to us. He is the Good Shepherd, and we know His voice. If we are called to pack up and leave, or to store up extra supplies, or to bow down and pray... we must trust that He will tell us... and we must be willing to be Broken and not pause and ponder and weigh what we are feeling - but to act on His prompting... to follow His lead! Then and There... because Timing will play a powerful part in all that is coming upon us in this next year!

I pray you will read through this post from Steve Schultz... pray over it - test it - if you find yourself battling fear... plead the Blood... study it out if you need to, read "The Blood and the Glory" by Billye Brim. I pray you have a truly Happy New Year and you will find yourself full of faith, and prepared in the coming days - for whatever it is the Lord has for you!

Blessings,
~Karrilee~

(Elijah List Word regarding coming http://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word/4853 )

Merry Christmas!

I just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

I pray it is wonder-filled and full of awe!

May His Presence be made known,

and His Gift received with Joy!

Blessings,

~Karrilee~

The Scents of the Season

(Here is an edited edition of our current Family Christmas Letter...

again - minus the family info!)

Mmm - the scents & sounds of Christmas… - it seems that they are all around me

- wherever I go. In fact, I believe they were ‘out & about’ even before Thanksgiving?!

It seems we go from one holiday to the next with little time to rest & recuperate!

I must admit, I have been putting this letter off now for about a week. I kept thinking of it, praying a bit, then putting it aside. I don’t know about you, but it seems nearly everyone

I have talked with lately has had a harder time feeling festive & excited about all the

coming Holiday Hoopla this year! It is so easy for us to not slow down & focus the way we

really want to. We have the best of intentions, but often times we find ourselves exhausted,

& feeling ’behind’ instead of relaxed!

I love Christmas! I love all the sights & sounds, the smells & rituals of the holidays!
This year, though, somehow it hasn’t flowed so smoothly from

Thanksgiving to Christmas for me.
I’ve been praying about why this is.

I was relieved to find out others had been struggling a bit as well.

(It was not just me!) As much as I love routine & tradition - sometimes I think God is

trying to break us free from some of our ‘normal’ lives & we can tend to fight against Him, unaware! Maybe our Christmas spirit has been tainted by the tragedies of the past few years - from tsunami’s to hurricanes, to earthquakes, wars & rumors of wars, etc.

Maybe we have forgotten that we are not a people without Hope!

We are called to Hope. Maybe we have shrunk away from the childlike excitement of

Hoping, expecting, anticipating! However, we celebrate Christmas - much like Thanksgiving - because of those blessings that we DO have - already!
Sure - the presents & stockings & gift giving is all part of our tradition.
But - at the heart of our celebrations, should be Love.

Love given, Love received, Love shared…, Love made manifest!

All that we do & all that we are, is - or should be - founded on & steeped in Love!

“For God so loved the world…“

I think of the song that is playing on the radio now by Sanctus Real, “The Face of Love”.

The chorus sings out, “The face of love. The face of love. You look more like Love everyday!” Jesus is the face of Love, & we are called to let Him shine through us!

In our rush to beat the holiday crowds & get the good deals, buy the gifts,

write the cards, attend the parties, are we allowing His love to be seen through us?

I want others to see the face of love - Jesus - when they look at me.

That is the desire of my heart - to allow Him to shine & flow through me in such a way

that others SEE Him - really SEE Him! Not in a religious way - but in a real way!

As I was praying & unpacking ornaments, candle holders, & Christmas towels,

I got a whiff of my Christmas candles & that got me to thinking about the Scents of Christmas! Mmm - Cinnamon, Nog, Frankincense, Fresh Pine, etc.

I guess I am very in tune to my senses, because I can get real nostalgic at the simple

thought of a childhood smell or the scent of Grandma’s kitchen.

We used to have a fresh cut Douglas Fir tree every year - & the smell of pine

would fill the house &, I realize now, THAT was the scent of Christmas for me.

We went years without a tree, & now we have an artificial one.

But that is still one of my strongest memories/senses tied to the Holidays!

Another smell that captures my attention - Fresh Baked Bread. Christmas or anytime!

What is it about Fresh baked bread that can stir up a hunger that you didn’t even HAVE

a few moments before? That is when it hit me, we are not only called to Love, & to Hope,

we are called to be the Fragrance of God (2 Cor.2:14-15)

Jesus also said that He is the Bread of Life.

If others around us can smell Him in us - they will hunger for what only He can give!

When we ‘decorate’ our hearts & homes with Him, & our priorities in order - He promises in Psalm 19 that He will give us great rewards - one version says, “Hidden Treasures.“ This season is not all about the gifts, the presents & the hoopla! We all tell our kids that... & we mean it! But who doesn't love that perfect, thoughtful, gift!? Who doesn't desire a Great Reward - that was personally picked out for us? Isn’t it great that God has done that for each of us? He hand picks gifts to give us all the time. He gave His best, many years ago - & as if that were not enough - He just keeps on giving! I pray that in the midst of the busyness of the season - you will find Hope in your heart, Love overflowing, and the Fragrance of God surrounding you.

You see, in the midst of our Traditions of Man & all the lists of things to do & gifts to buy,

our Fragrant Lord awaits! He is patient, loving & kind... He is with us - wherever we go

& whatever we’re doing. He desires us, more than anything we can do FOR Him!
He calls us to Him in the midst of this season

& asks not for us to do MORE...

but to simply BE with Him!

He may be interrupting your ‘normal’ life

& drawing you to not do more this year - but less.
He may be waiting for you to run to Him

& catch a scent of His Fragrant Love!
Great Rewards? Oh yes!

Hidden treasures? I know it is so!

I pray that in the midst of all your running around,

all your serving & shopping...

I pray you will take a moment here & there,

close your eyes, stop & pray, worship Him...

“O, Come let us adore Him“

...meditate, think...

I am praying that you will be able to smell

His Heavenly Fragrance of Hope, of Joy, of Love,

& know that He is Emmanuel - God WITH YOU.

May you enjoy the sights & sounds of the Season
& smell the scent of His Love that He lavishes upon you!

With Love & Blessings, Merry Christmas!

~Karrilee~

Your Favorite Spot!

Well - I just thought I would share a portion of LAST years' Family Christmas Letter... minus all the personal family info... I encourage you to find your 'sweet spot'!


I can't believe that it is already the time of year that finds me browsing over our yearly calendar & making plans for the weeks to come as well! With the decorations all around, the lights plugged in, & the carols softly playing in the background, I find my focus & peace as I gaze at the Manger that occupies our Living Room. This little Babe, after all, is why we celebrate! If not His Birth, then at the very least, His purpose... Love! "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son." It's such a familiar passage that we sometimes forget... "For God so loved... that He gave..." For God SO LOVED... that HE GAVE! That is amazing, isn't it?! He still gives today, you know?!

We so often sing the carols about Jesus... His Birth... His Gift... But what I have been thinking about lately is what have I given?! We are not required to do "good works" to earn His Gift of course... we'd never be able to work enough to EARN it... (that's what makes it a gift!) But we are called to bear fruit! The Bible says that people should know that we are Christians 'by our love.' So, what do I do to let His Love flow through me & shine into a dark world? How do I allow Christ to be seen in me? I think we'll be surprised when we see the various ways He worked though each of us from the other side of eternity! It is in the big AND the little things! It's in the sacrifices AND the things we love to do! One Sacrifice I make each year at Christmas time is such a small thing...but it helped me to communicate with my daughter a powerful truth of habit & home!

Creatures of habit... that is what we all are! Whether you think back to childhood memories or current rituals.. we all have our favorite spots! At the dining room table, in the car, your side of the bed, etc.! We have been blessed with a room with a view... a huge picture window that overlooks our city! There are better seats in the Living Room... there's a spot on the couch that if you sit there as the sun rises, you can watch Mt. Adams change colors as the sun reflects off the snow; there's the Loveseat that is angled to look straight out the window & give a view of the city lights at night time. But my favorite spot is in the chair in the corner! It's close to the window & I can still enjoy our view... I can watch the sunrise, hear the quiet of snow falling, or see the twinkling of lights below...But my chair is also angled in, so I can see into the rest of the house. I am able to see when someone comes home, or enters the room. & I am able to keep an eye on all of the activities going on! It's a comfy chair, & the side table has everything I need when I come & meet with my Lord! It's got my favorite lamp (a keepsake souvenir from a trip with friends.) It's got a few of my favorite scented candles, a framed photo of friends & family, & the current books I am reading. Just below that I will find my Bible, & a choice selection of Journals for me to write in! It's close to the stereo so I can set the mood with music, & close to all my other resource books, if God sets me on a chase in His Word! We used to have a room in our home that was the designated "Prayer Room" - I used it especially when my little one was smaller. She came to learn that if Mommy was in that room, I was meeting with God in prayer & worship. She would come in from time to time, but it was a necessary spot 'set away' so she knew if she was coming in, she'd have to pray & wait... a great lesson to learn! As she grew older, & we housed more & more guests, our "Prayer Room" became our "Spare Room" & I found myself sitting in this chair in the corner, more than anywhere else!

During Prayer meetings, Bible Studies, or morning Devotions, this chair is my 'Withdrawing Room" as R. B. Munger writes. I have made my heart Christ’s' home, & we meet here ~ in my favorite spot ~ to talk about my day, pray over what concerns me, or just sit & spend some quiet time together. Whether it's intercessory prayer, a morning devotional time, or evening reading, if I am seeking God or communing with Him 'on purpose' ...this is where you will find me!
I light my candles, grab a drink, open up the Word & feast with Him at this banquet table He prepares in my Favorite Spot! There is about one month out of the year that I sacrifice my Spot! As we decorate for Christmas, I move my Chair into my daughter's room. She absolutely LOVES that! It is where I will find HER praying & reading in the mornings & evenings during the holidays! In place of my chair, we set up our Hay & Feeding Trough... & we place a "Babe wrapped in Swaddling Clothes' in that spot! We hang a Star from the ceiling & shine a spot light on Jesus - our Reason for the Season! As the holidays near, we put gifts around the manger scene & spend some time focused on WHY we are celebrating!

One day my daughter asked why I put this scene in my Favorite Spot, giving up my normal routine each December. I thought about it for a moment & said, "It's a little sacrifice for me, but that is the spot where His Presence is... it's the perfect Spot! It is where I honor Him throughout the year...where else would He go?!" My Favorite Spot is surrounded with some of my favorite things, but it's His Presence that draws me there - to our "Withdrawing Room." I know I carry Him with me in my heart... & where I go, He is. But there is something special about having a tangible meeting place set up! I encourage you to search out your heart & your home, & prepare Him room... Prepare a place for Him! Whether you have never offered Him your heart - or that was done years ago... I encourage you to pray about how You are loving those around you... what can you give... what do you sacrifice... how does He flow through you to bless the world around you!? ...When we 'Prepare Him Room" - Oh My - how He comes!

Blessings,
~Karrilee~

O Little Town of Bethlehem...

The Lord has continued to speak to me these past few weeks about the Fragrance of God.

This week as I drove to my prayer meeting, I was praying about that Fragrance... I have been in services where we have had a heavenly fragrance surround us... in one season it smelled like Frankincense, and in one season we were surrounded in a Vineyard, smelling pressed grapes! It was divine... we knew He was there... visiting us. We could linger in certain areas of the building and catch a whiff of Him. My, how I want to pass by those who are searching and have them smell His very Presence on me!

I arrived at my meeting, and the leader was teaching out of Luke Chapter One. It was very good and I found myself reading ahead and the verse that stood out to me is in the midst of Mary's Prayer. "He has filled and satisfied the hungry with good things..." (Luke 1:53a)

Jesus is the Bread of Life... He said so Himself! He is the Bread that gives Life. Through His body, His sacrifice, we gain eternal Life. When we feed on Him, we grow spiritually and we live that Abundant Life He promised us! I remember hearing Kenneth Copeland teach on spending time in the Word awhle back... Now, John said that Jesus is the Word... so it is easy to see that the Word (Jesus) is the Bread of Life... and when we feast on the Word - we are filled. Kenneth went on to compare the Word with physical food. He taught on how we need to eat everyday to nourish our bodies and keep us healthy and strong. We do not eat a nice meal on Tuesday and expect it to sustain us through until the weekend, or the next week! We should not assume the same thing when it comes to feeding on Spiritual Manna! We must feast on the Word daily to remain strong and healthy and growing! Now feasting on the Word includes more than just reading a quick devotional... and while I believe the Bible should be opened each day - I am not legalistic in thinking that this is required... but it is desired - and it is beneficial to us... I will be honest - some days I do not get my Bible open - but I have still spent time with the Word... I have prayed, I have worshiped... my goal is to dig into the Word consistentl - but I do not want any condemnation here... just know that while it IS the best discipline - you are able to feast on the Word without opening your Bible everyday. So there is Grace extended... I would rather spend ten minutes in worship - and feast on His Presence, than 5, 0r 10, or 20 minutes in His Word - trying to just get through it!

So, back at my Prayer meeting... during the worship, the Lord led me to read John 6:41-58... I will post it here for you to read:

"The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus therefore answered and said to them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?” Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:41-58 NKJV)

I was then reminded of the story in the Bible about the two walking on the Road to Emmaus. I LOVE this story! It is found in Luke 24. These two men were so disillusioned, they did not recognize or 'see' Jesus walking along with them. Even when He began to speak to them - they did not see. But there was something in the Breaking of the Bread that caused their blind eyes to be opened, and they could see that it was the Lord! There is a claymation movie about Jesus called, "The Miracle Maker" - I HIGHLY recommend this movie... it is one of my all time favorites! There is a little weaving of a story that ties things together which may or may not have happened, but the overall story is intact and so very powerful! The movie has a scene that includes the road to Emmaus. I love it! There is something so powerful when we see - really SEE - our Lord, willingly breaking Bread with us - FOR us... I encourage you to take Communion in this season... whether on your own - just you and the Lord, or as a family.

If you have ever baked fresh bread in your home - or gone into a bakery when they have just taken the bread out of the oven, you know that smell follows you! It gets into your clothes and stirs up a hunger in you that you didn't even know was there! It reminds me of the Sinner and her Alabaster Box... while she ministered to the Lord, that oil also absorbed into her skin, her hair, her hands... and as she walked away - she carried the scent of worship with her! Even as Jesus - the Bread of Life - was being broken for her... she carried the smell of Him with her! When I gather together with family and friends, I want the Fragrance of God - that Bread of Life - to stir up a hunger and to linger through me as I go about my days!

I pray you carry with you that Fragrance of God in this season, and cause others to hunger for Him as well!

Blessings!
~Karrilee~

Oh - just a side note, Jesus - who is the Bread of Life - was born in Bethlehem, with means, "House of Bread" (Isn't God just too cool... and thorough!)

Your Fragrant Groom Awaits...

I don't know about you - but I am a very scent-ual person!

A mere scent of something specific can stir up memories of nostalgia or romance, or childhood in an instant! I have a Wedding Day perfume... I don't wear it often - but I do wear it on purpose... and on my Anniversary - always... Whenever I smell it, it brings me back to that day. I love to wear all kinds of perfumes... I used to have one signature perfume... but I like to mix it up! I also LOVE LOVE LOVE scented candles and lotions and potions... to me, a good scent helps to set a mood! This will all tie in nicely in the end, you will see!

Tuesday morning, on my way to Prayer - I asked the Lord why I was not really feeling 'oh so festive' yet... Normally I am nearly done with all the madness and can sit back and enjoy the season... anyway - He simply referred me to Psalm 19. ...love the Psalms. So, when I arrived to the meeting, I opened up my Bible and read through this Psalm. Verse 7-11 really stood out to me. This is what they say:

"The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the [whole] person; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure and bright, enlightening the eyes. The [reverent] fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even than much fine gold; they are sweeter also than honey and drippings from the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is Your servant warned (reminded, illuminated, and instructed); and in keeping them there is great reward."
(Ps 19:7-11 Amplified)

Isn't that good!? It is a very familiar portion of Scripture for me... but how just like my God to lead me here... when I am distracted by the ever-growing list of things that will need to get done in the next few weeks. I am a fairly laid back person. I love the ribbons and bows of the Holidays! But I do not want to feel like I HAVE to do them! I was reminded of a word of prophecy that was once spoken over me... at the time it cracked me up - but many times since then - I have relished in it! Someone once prayed over me and shared that "It came without ribbons, and it came without bows..." He went on to quote a bit more of that children's verse... and he added, "But it came! It CAME!" He went on to say that as much as I like the ribbons and bows - those are not necessary because the Glory of God is in me... what people want... what they MUST HAVE... is in me! Now - I share that humbly - knowing that what is in me, is also in you! Ah - there is such freedom in remembering that the glory of God resides in us... as my dear friend Sheri reminded us this week - God, Emmanuel, IS with us - always! Not just during the holidays - but always!

So - back to Ps 19. The law of the LORD is perfect... The testimony of the LORD is sure... The statutes of the LORD are right... The commandment of the LORD is pure... The fear of the LORD is clean... The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether... When we seek to decorate our hearts and homes with these things first... the word continues on and says that by them we are 'warned (reminded, illuminated, and instructed)' ... and in keeping them - there is Great Reward! Isn't that what we truly want this time of year?! This season is not all about the gifts and the presents and the hoopla - we all tell our kids that... and we mean it! But who doesn't love that perfect, thoughtful, gift!? Who doesn't desire a Great Reward? One version says it this way, "There's more: God's Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure."

As I was meditating on this portion of Scripture - the Lord had me flip in my Bible to another portion of Scripture that is Oh So familiar to me! Song of Solomon 5:2-8. I love this passage and have fed upon it time after time after time! As I was reading this passage, someone else was talking about the traditions of men and how we tend to pull them out especiallyt hsi time of year, and how we tend to hold on to them. I then heard the Lord say, "Have you not seen? Do you not know? The Glory of the Lord has risen upon you!"

Immediately I saw in the spirit a Faceless Bride - no longer in a radiant white dress, but it was dingy, and faded...it looked as if the dress itself was disappointed and let down... left at the altar, yet again. The Bride looked tired... tired of waiting... tired of standing there having yet another "Groom" not Show Up, not Step Up, not Come Through...

Then I heard Jesus - her Real Bridegroom - ask her, "Why? Why do you keep seeking - when you have already found? They will ALWAYD pale in comparison to Me... They will never be all you need them to be." Then I saw her again, eyes downcast to the empty space beside her, face vacant, heart wounded, and I saw Jesus - in a Groom's attire - standing behind her, waiting. waiting for her to Look Up, Step Back, and Lay Herself on that empty altar... to lay down her own expectations and lists of requirements that she strives to find in Man. His eyes are not downcast - they are piercing to her very soul and dripping over with Love. As she crumples on the floor in despair, she sees Him, and wonders why He is not coming to her. But, He needs her to lay herself down in Surrender, not Despair! I can see His heart is aching for her... He longs to pick her up - yet again... and carry her. He will - I can see that one day - He will... but this day - He simply reaches out to her and touches her hand. As their hands touch, I can see oil dripping down their arms.

The next 'scene' is literally the Song of Solomon chapter 5:2-8.

I saw that faceless Bride - still unwed... yet longing for her groom... "I sleep, but my heart is awake; It is the voice of my beloved!"

Jesus comes to her door... "He knocks, saying, “ Open for me, my sister, my love, My dove, my perfect one; For my head is covered with dew, My locks with the drops of the night.”

The Bride sits up and answers Him, "I have taken off my robe; How can I put it on again?" She had had another long and weary day - she had followed the Law and done the Works and still - went to bed lonely and alone. "I have washed my feet; How can I defile them?" she asked. She was tired... didn't He know?! Why couldn't He have come to the Altar when she was ready and waiting... She seemed to remember an urge to place herself up on the altar that day - and yet she washed that thought away and continued to wait besides the altar for her answered prayer. She then realized that, all the while, her 'answered prayer' was there - at the altar, waiting for her! Why had she gone looking for another - when He was the answer to every question? She knew better... and yet - she had fallen back into that old routine. It was not that He was not enough - it was that she was not surrended... not completely.

Her beloved put his hand by the latch of the door, And her heart yearned for him. The Bride arose to open for her beloved, And her hands dripped with myrrh, her fingers with liquid myrrh, On the handles of the lock.

I recall studying about this and reading that, back in the day, this was like a suitors Calling Card. He would leave a scent behind. Instead of stopping in and leaving his cell number, he would drench his hands in scented oil and so whenever his beloved would return - she would smell him and know that he was there! WAY more romantic than a phone number, don't you think?

Anyway - the Bride went and opened for her beloved,

Song of Solomon goes on to say "...But my beloved had turned away and was gone. My heart leaped up when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. The watchmen who went about the city found me. They struck me, they wounded me; The keepers of the walls Took my veil away from me. I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, That you tell him I am lovesick!"

You see, in the midst of our Traditions of Man and all the lists of things to do and gifts to buy... our Fragrant Groom awaits... He is patient and loving and kind... He is with us - wherever we go and whatever we are doing. He desires US... more than anything we can do FOR Him - He calls us to Him in the midst of this season and asks not for us to do MORE... but to simply BE with Him! How often have each one of us looked for a 'Groom' to fulfill that which only Christ Himself can fill in us. We come with our list of requirements and our high expectations and we look to Man and - almost always - we are left at the altar, alone... disappointed. However, in His great mercy He is there - just standing by - waiting for sweet surrender... waiting for us to break protocol, to be willing to soil our feet and put on our robe again, and run to Him when we catch a scent of His Fragrant Love!

Great Rewards? Oh yes... Hidden treasures? I know it is so!

I pray that as you enter in to December and all that this month may hold for you - you will find joy in the truths of Psalm 19. I pray that there will be joy as you prepare your heart and your home... prepare Him room in all you do, and know that your Bridegroom rejoices over you! I pray that in the midst of all your running around, all your serving and shopping... I pray you will take a moment here and there and close your eyes, stop and pray, worship Him... O Come let us adore Him... meditate, think... I am praying that you will be able to smell His Heavenly cologne and know that He is Emmanuel - God WITH YOU.

May you enjoy the sights and sounds of the Season,
and smell the Scent of His Love that He lavishes upon you!
~Karrilee~