I know - it's been AGES since I have stopped by here and shared anything with you... I have been good - just busy doing daily life (and once again neglecting my writing!) However, with the New Year comes new commitments to really focus in on what I am called to do. This sadly doesn't mean I get to stop in here frequently and write whatever I want... it means I must pray and decide what direction to go in - and continue on in the dreaded editing portion of creating a book or three?!
At any rate... I have been missing this blog and way of expressing myself and had planned on stopping in today on my own. However, the Lord literally woke me up with a word for 2010 and as much as I tried to ask Him to just remind me later so I could sleep in - He would not have it... so I greeted the sunrise this morning cuddled up on my couch, with a blanket, pen & paper, a few Bibles, and an amazing awareness that I could barely keep up writing with the thoughts He was downloading to me...
So - without further delay... here is what I feel the Lord is saying for 2010:
2010 - a TRULY Happy new year! This is a new yea, a new start, a clean slate... Many experienced Breakthroughs in the past few years, but Breakthroughs require work and effort and fighting your way through. 2010 is the year of the OVERCOMER! I will lift you up to a new season, to a new level! I will life you UP and OVER! The battle will be Mine - you will need to persevere, but this is the year you will step into your destiny!
Last year, the Lord told me it was the year of Amos. This morning, He said this is the year of JOEL!!!
Many will be released in a new anointing, and new power. Many of you have been strengthening your foundations and have truly DECIDED in what and in Whom you believe. In 2010, you will begin to find opportunities to SEE the evidence of what you've been hoping for! You will begin to SEE that which you have believed in and believed for - come to pass!
Dreams, visions, signs & wonders. I Am coming! I Am coming in Power and Might, in Grace and Glory! But, FIRST I desire to come THROUGH YOU!
"Thy will be done, Thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven."
Step into 2010 with joy and expectation. The ties that bind and the lies that have held you back are about to be cut free. Prepare to fly with Me, says the Lord.
_________________
I went on to re-read through the Book of Amos, as well as pray through the Book of Joel. I encourage you to do the same! I will share some of my thoughts on that later... I just wanted to put this out here...
God has BIG plans for us in the coming year!
Happy New Year!
~Karrilee~
January 1, 2010
August 26, 2009
The Sound of Silence... and Fear of Success
I can't believe how long it has been since I have sat down here with the intent of writing specifically for this blog. Of course, I could easily 'blame' summertime and the lack of schedule on my absence, and in part - that would be true! However I must admit, the whole truth includes reluctance on my part to continue to write more - when in fact, what I need to be doing, is editing what is already written. It just doesn't seem as fun though and so I deprive myself of this outlet, and yet still accomplish little to nothing as far as editing goes!
We are actually in the first week of Back to School and back to Fall routines! I love it! I am such a schedule follower and list maker... I find peace and rest in routine! At least routine for some portion of my daily life! I have learned in this past season however the power and preciousness of spontaneity - of being open and available to do something last minute! God loves both ways really - and it's fun to plan, and then sit back and be available to go a completely different direction! Summer was good to my little family! We really enjoyed some relaxing down time, and some powerful together time as well! I think though that all of us are happy to be finding ourselves back in the familiar routines this week!
As I plan and prepare my Fall schedule I am once again needing to schedule in editing and writing time... I am also praying I will have the discipline to follow through this time! I was praying the other day, asking the Lord to guide me and give me creativity in how to alter some things that He has asked me to sort of repackage and He asked me why I was so afraid of success. The question sort of caught me off guard and I thought it was a funny way to ask that - but then as I thought about it - I realized He is right. I have been afraid of success. Success will surely mean change... promotion... exposure... all good really - but it's that little bit of UNEXPECTED that causes me to wonder if it's worth it all. Of course - if He is in it... whatever change that comes will be for my good. I know this - but I still find myself reluctant to move forward. I have overcome many areas where my lack of follow through was holding me back - so I know I can press through this as well. But His question caused me to wonder: Are you too afraid of success? Is the reason you are not moving forward or pressing ahead because deep down - you are afraid of succeeding and moving beyond where you are right now?
This manifested itself in the form of a car for me. We desperately needed a second car over the summer. We prayed and began looking - knowing that our budget was tight, and small - and we'd need to really get direction from the Lord in what to buy. Before we ever went out to look, I felt the Lord ask me what I wanted... I sort of flippantly said something a little sporty would be fun - but really - dependable and reliable of course were most important. My husband found a car for sale by a private owner in a nearby town and we drove to see it on a Sunday afternoon in June. It was nice... REALLY nice... almost too nice! It looked brand new inside and out and had very little miles on it... I was determined not to love it right away! It just didn't seem responsible! So we both drove it - told the owner we would think about it and we left. I wrestled with my hesitation for days until the Lord asked me why I didn't want that car. I said, Well - I would love that car - but it's a little too nice! It may be too good to be true - besides, I don't really deserve a car that nice! I felt Him smile at me, and He said, No - but if you want it, you can have it! He consistently said that for weeks as we drove around looking at car lots and not finding what we wanted. We would discuss this car and call and talk with the owner and end the conversation by saying we'd think about it. Once again I told the Lord I didn't think I deserved a car that nice - and He said, You're right - you don't! But, you are a Kings kid - and I desire to bless you! If you want that car, you can have it! So I got confirmations left and right and we had favor with the bank, and in the end, we got the car! I love it! It is the nicest car I have had - and while I don't deserve it - I don't deserve any of the life I am blessed to be living right now! Gods' grace is bigger than we give Him credit for! I am trying to wrap my mind around what it may look like to be a successful writer, but in all honesty - as long as HE thinks I am successful - it doesn't matter if I ever get published or sell a single book... I have been enjoying reruns of The West Wing and they often say on that show that they 'serve at the pleasure of the President' - well, I write for the pleasure of my King! So - when HE assures me that we will write together and that He has plans in the words He gives me, I write for the pleasure of my King! When I am called to edit and rewrite, I do it all for the pleasure of my King - and to the increase of His Kingdom!
The other thing He has really been talking with me about this summer is how much He desires to speak to us! He is constantly singing over us and speaking to us... it's just that we have so often lost the art of listening to the sound of silence. We tend to want to fill the quiet. But I challenge you - enter in to the silence, push into it and listen for Him... He will speak to you there! You just may find, He's been speaking to you all the time!
So - back to routine, editing, and hopefully writing once in awhile as well! I do love to express what I am hearing and seeing and feeling!
Here's to success - and whatever that may bring!
And here's to the sound of Silence - and the Voice of God that comes forth from it!
Blessings,
~Karrilee~
We are actually in the first week of Back to School and back to Fall routines! I love it! I am such a schedule follower and list maker... I find peace and rest in routine! At least routine for some portion of my daily life! I have learned in this past season however the power and preciousness of spontaneity - of being open and available to do something last minute! God loves both ways really - and it's fun to plan, and then sit back and be available to go a completely different direction! Summer was good to my little family! We really enjoyed some relaxing down time, and some powerful together time as well! I think though that all of us are happy to be finding ourselves back in the familiar routines this week!
As I plan and prepare my Fall schedule I am once again needing to schedule in editing and writing time... I am also praying I will have the discipline to follow through this time! I was praying the other day, asking the Lord to guide me and give me creativity in how to alter some things that He has asked me to sort of repackage and He asked me why I was so afraid of success. The question sort of caught me off guard and I thought it was a funny way to ask that - but then as I thought about it - I realized He is right. I have been afraid of success. Success will surely mean change... promotion... exposure... all good really - but it's that little bit of UNEXPECTED that causes me to wonder if it's worth it all. Of course - if He is in it... whatever change that comes will be for my good. I know this - but I still find myself reluctant to move forward. I have overcome many areas where my lack of follow through was holding me back - so I know I can press through this as well. But His question caused me to wonder: Are you too afraid of success? Is the reason you are not moving forward or pressing ahead because deep down - you are afraid of succeeding and moving beyond where you are right now?
This manifested itself in the form of a car for me. We desperately needed a second car over the summer. We prayed and began looking - knowing that our budget was tight, and small - and we'd need to really get direction from the Lord in what to buy. Before we ever went out to look, I felt the Lord ask me what I wanted... I sort of flippantly said something a little sporty would be fun - but really - dependable and reliable of course were most important. My husband found a car for sale by a private owner in a nearby town and we drove to see it on a Sunday afternoon in June. It was nice... REALLY nice... almost too nice! It looked brand new inside and out and had very little miles on it... I was determined not to love it right away! It just didn't seem responsible! So we both drove it - told the owner we would think about it and we left. I wrestled with my hesitation for days until the Lord asked me why I didn't want that car. I said, Well - I would love that car - but it's a little too nice! It may be too good to be true - besides, I don't really deserve a car that nice! I felt Him smile at me, and He said, No - but if you want it, you can have it! He consistently said that for weeks as we drove around looking at car lots and not finding what we wanted. We would discuss this car and call and talk with the owner and end the conversation by saying we'd think about it. Once again I told the Lord I didn't think I deserved a car that nice - and He said, You're right - you don't! But, you are a Kings kid - and I desire to bless you! If you want that car, you can have it! So I got confirmations left and right and we had favor with the bank, and in the end, we got the car! I love it! It is the nicest car I have had - and while I don't deserve it - I don't deserve any of the life I am blessed to be living right now! Gods' grace is bigger than we give Him credit for! I am trying to wrap my mind around what it may look like to be a successful writer, but in all honesty - as long as HE thinks I am successful - it doesn't matter if I ever get published or sell a single book... I have been enjoying reruns of The West Wing and they often say on that show that they 'serve at the pleasure of the President' - well, I write for the pleasure of my King! So - when HE assures me that we will write together and that He has plans in the words He gives me, I write for the pleasure of my King! When I am called to edit and rewrite, I do it all for the pleasure of my King - and to the increase of His Kingdom!
The other thing He has really been talking with me about this summer is how much He desires to speak to us! He is constantly singing over us and speaking to us... it's just that we have so often lost the art of listening to the sound of silence. We tend to want to fill the quiet. But I challenge you - enter in to the silence, push into it and listen for Him... He will speak to you there! You just may find, He's been speaking to you all the time!
So - back to routine, editing, and hopefully writing once in awhile as well! I do love to express what I am hearing and seeing and feeling!
Here's to success - and whatever that may bring!
And here's to the sound of Silence - and the Voice of God that comes forth from it!
Blessings,
~Karrilee~
July 5, 2009
He is Faithful and True!
My family just returned last week from a vacation to our nations' Capitol! We had an amazing time! To see in person so many places and things that we have grown up seeing on tv or in movies, etc was incredible. As is necessary, we squeezed in a LOT of venues in a few short days and as is custom, we did not get everything in during our short stay! However, a few of my favorites were the Lincoln Memorial - so simple and elegant.. majestic and such a reminder of what one man, with God, can do to make a difference! Awe-inspiring! I also loved the World War 2 Memorial... and the Room of Rembrance in the Holocaust Museum! That was the place where I could tangibly feel the Presence of the Lord and it felt too holy to take a photograph or to do anything but pray, repent, and praise Him! For our Lord is faithful and true... even at times when it really doesn't SEEM like it!
The week before our vacation, we endured a LOT of unexpected stress and are facing some life changes - but God was good in giving us a vacation where we really were able to leave the stress and worries at home and thoroughly enjoy our time together!
With summertime here, my schedule is a bit lighter and my days a bit more relaxed but I am so looking forward to what God has planned in the next month or so... change is coming at us from all directions - and we know as uncomfortable as the unknown can be... we know that He is good... we know that He is Faithful and True and that He has our backs and will lead and guide us... we know that He really IS in a good mood and He desires to place us where He wants us in order to bring about more of His Kingdom here on earth!
Press on in all He has called and equipped you to do in this season... and if you are like us, in a season of change and not really knowing what He is calling you to do next - wait and see... He will be faithful and true for you as well!
More Lord... that is our simple prayer!
~Karrilee~
June 11, 2009
Can I Get A Witness?
The Lord has been speaking to me for weeks about the power of testimonies! I heard Bill Johnson teach on it, I've heard the Lord tell me to stir up faith by sharing and watching testimonies, and I have noticed that when I am in an environment that tends to brag on God - it causes me to begin to believe that He really IS in a good mood!
My little group of Happy Intercessors are having a great time going through Beni Johnsons' book and decided to all commit to writing a bit of journaling over a period of two weeks to share with the group. Just whatever the Lord was speaking to us... no pressure! Of course, pressure came anyway! I am in a season in my life where the Lord is really accelerating some things and I am feeling very much over scheduled and overwhelmed! Especially just returning from a Writer's Conference, you can guess that I have found no time to write whatsoever?!
I felt the Lord ask me to just go and sit with Him on day last week... I have already admitted to a hectic routine and honestly - I sort of had the gall to argue with Him a bit first... explaining that He wasn't really penciled in to my morning! Of course - I couldn't really say NO... so I grabbed my book and journal and a cup of tea... set up my tunes outside and enjoyed some time in the sun (with the Son!)... it was really nice! Relaxing even... I had forgotten how nice that is!
This is what I wrote out of that time together:
Once again, I think I have given in to the pressures of time constraints and a list too long of things that 'must' get done! This pressure is not from You! In reality - many of the things on my list are not from You either! I am listening to Brian Johnsons' CD and "Where You Go" is playing. It brings such peace! It sounds so simple! "Where You go, I'll go and what You say, I'll say, God. and What You pray, I'll pray. What You pray I'll pray!" Now, why didn't I think of that!? As I sit here and wait on Him, the entire atmosphere outside begins to change. I can still feel the heat of the sun, but a breeze that is cool and refreshing is softly blowing and clouds have rolled in. It looks like they are heavy with rain and my hearts cry is to rain down Lord on this dry and thirsty land - on MY dry and thirsty land! Then the Lord showed me two Scripture references - Job 28:27, 28 and 2 Chronicles 20:29-30. In Job 28:27, 28 it says that the fear of the Lord is wisdom, and in 2 Chron 20 is says that the fear of God was on all the kingdoms WHEN they heard that the Lord had fought Israels enemies and THEN the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet for God gave him rest! In the Message it says, "When the surrounding kingdoms got word that God had fought Israel's enemies, the fear of God descended on them. Jehoshaphat heard no more from them; as long as Jehoshaphat reigned, peace reigned."
I love that it says WHEN and THEN! WHEN they heard the testimonies, THEN the realm of the King was at rest... WHEN Jehoshaphat reigned, Peace reigned! We must step up and begin spreading the good news and share testimonies! As Bill Johnson says, He's in a good mood!" Once word got out - that's when the fear of God goes out - and THEN the Peace reigns!
Proverbs 9:10 says that the fear of the Lord is the BEGINNING of wisdom! As Paul Young says, in the West especially - we love the Lord with all of our heads! Eventually - (as the REST of 2 Chron Ch 20 shows) we all have to deal with our 'stuff' - our issues - our 'Shack'! We can walk in wisdom and peace for so long - but as we press in, we're gonna have to deal! We all come to that place where the winds of change begin to blow. We realize that the peace we walk in now is less than all He has for us and to go deeper, often times we have to go back. There comes a 'nevertheless' moment where Wisdom can reveal the High Places still standing, the places in our hearts not yet turned toward Him!
We must remember that God is good; that He always has more for us than what we so often settle for, and that He is not bound by time constraints or lists! Job 28:27 says "He saw Wisdom and DECLARED it..." which takes me back to declaring this simple truth:
"Where You go, I'll go
and what You say, I'll say, God.
What You pray, I'll pray.
What You pray, I'll pray."
Reign down, Lord! Rain down on our dry and thirsty lands!
~Karrilee~
My little group of Happy Intercessors are having a great time going through Beni Johnsons' book and decided to all commit to writing a bit of journaling over a period of two weeks to share with the group. Just whatever the Lord was speaking to us... no pressure! Of course, pressure came anyway! I am in a season in my life where the Lord is really accelerating some things and I am feeling very much over scheduled and overwhelmed! Especially just returning from a Writer's Conference, you can guess that I have found no time to write whatsoever?!
I felt the Lord ask me to just go and sit with Him on day last week... I have already admitted to a hectic routine and honestly - I sort of had the gall to argue with Him a bit first... explaining that He wasn't really penciled in to my morning! Of course - I couldn't really say NO... so I grabbed my book and journal and a cup of tea... set up my tunes outside and enjoyed some time in the sun (with the Son!)... it was really nice! Relaxing even... I had forgotten how nice that is!
This is what I wrote out of that time together:
Once again, I think I have given in to the pressures of time constraints and a list too long of things that 'must' get done! This pressure is not from You! In reality - many of the things on my list are not from You either! I am listening to Brian Johnsons' CD and "Where You Go" is playing. It brings such peace! It sounds so simple! "Where You go, I'll go and what You say, I'll say, God. and What You pray, I'll pray. What You pray I'll pray!" Now, why didn't I think of that!? As I sit here and wait on Him, the entire atmosphere outside begins to change. I can still feel the heat of the sun, but a breeze that is cool and refreshing is softly blowing and clouds have rolled in. It looks like they are heavy with rain and my hearts cry is to rain down Lord on this dry and thirsty land - on MY dry and thirsty land! Then the Lord showed me two Scripture references - Job 28:27, 28 and 2 Chronicles 20:29-30. In Job 28:27, 28 it says that the fear of the Lord is wisdom, and in 2 Chron 20 is says that the fear of God was on all the kingdoms WHEN they heard that the Lord had fought Israels enemies and THEN the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet for God gave him rest! In the Message it says, "When the surrounding kingdoms got word that God had fought Israel's enemies, the fear of God descended on them. Jehoshaphat heard no more from them; as long as Jehoshaphat reigned, peace reigned."
I love that it says WHEN and THEN! WHEN they heard the testimonies, THEN the realm of the King was at rest... WHEN Jehoshaphat reigned, Peace reigned! We must step up and begin spreading the good news and share testimonies! As Bill Johnson says, He's in a good mood!" Once word got out - that's when the fear of God goes out - and THEN the Peace reigns!
Proverbs 9:10 says that the fear of the Lord is the BEGINNING of wisdom! As Paul Young says, in the West especially - we love the Lord with all of our heads! Eventually - (as the REST of 2 Chron Ch 20 shows) we all have to deal with our 'stuff' - our issues - our 'Shack'! We can walk in wisdom and peace for so long - but as we press in, we're gonna have to deal! We all come to that place where the winds of change begin to blow. We realize that the peace we walk in now is less than all He has for us and to go deeper, often times we have to go back. There comes a 'nevertheless' moment where Wisdom can reveal the High Places still standing, the places in our hearts not yet turned toward Him!
We must remember that God is good; that He always has more for us than what we so often settle for, and that He is not bound by time constraints or lists! Job 28:27 says "He saw Wisdom and DECLARED it..." which takes me back to declaring this simple truth:
"Where You go, I'll go
and what You say, I'll say, God.
What You pray, I'll pray.
What You pray, I'll pray."
Reign down, Lord! Rain down on our dry and thirsty lands!
~Karrilee~
May 23, 2009
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~
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