Be the Song!

I was planning on blogging about the first Sozo training class I attended yesterday - however this morning I 'discovered' a video that I want to share instead. I recall the first time we got 'messed up' by Don Potter and the worship CDs from the MorningStar "Heart of David" conference... it stirred us up and caused us to hunger for free worship - extended worship - prophetic worship... even to this day - when we hear a song from that time period - well, wow! Power is released... hunger is stirred up once again! Be blessed as you watch Don talking about that time... and enter in to worship with him! BE the song!

Don Potter on Worship

I have Overcome!
~Karrilee~

A Feast of Silence

After a FULL weekend of family & friends... loud (great) music, lots of chatting, and tons of laughter - I had the unexpected pleasure today of enjoying a Feast of Silence. I had planned on having a living room filled with powerful, wonderful women of God - however, the Lord had other plans. Not one of my Happy Intercessors showed up today! Not a one... so I had to fight the urge to 'go on' with my day and tackle that bossy list of Things To Do! Instead, however, I sat in silence... listening. After such a busy and blessed weekend, I felt filled up and refreshed already... however just sitting with my favorite Guys (The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) - I felt washed in Peace. His Presence was a gift to me... and the Silence was a Feast!

I don't know about you - but in my daily world, there is a LOT of noise! Whether it be literal: traffic, talking, cell phones ringing, appliances running, TV or music on in the background... or more like the 'noise' in my head... thoughts, regrets, worries, hopes, more bossy lists... Whatever the source - the noise grabs for our attention and causes us (or at least me) to be short sighted! In our world of multi-tasking, it is often hard to remember the value of sitting and doing just ONE thing, especially when that one thing is listening to nothing, but expecting something!

As I sat in my chair - drinking in the quietness of the day and feeling warmed by His Peace, I was led to read through a few Scriptures. Psalm 67 was one of them and while I have loved that psalm for many years - reading it in The Message today caused me to grab on to a new phrase. This now is my goal:

"God, mark us with grace and blessing! Smile!" (Psalm 67:1 The Message)

My desire is to be marked with Grace and Blessing... in other translations this reads to be merciful to us and bless us and to have His face shine upon us! My desire is not to be blessed and have the favor of God simply so that I can succeed and be prosperous (although that happens, of course!) I love the 'marked with grace' part... that to me says that in His blessing and pouring out favor on me... His Grace & Mercy are evident as well. It's the mercy of God that leads to repentance. He is a good God... in a good mood and He desires to bless us... to love on us... to smile with us... and in the silence of just being with Him, I felt His smile and basked in His shining... I want to be one that so carries the Presence and Power of God - that my countenance is shining as well. I have gone the route of the religious - and people could see - well, not Grace - on me... but my goal is to let the Love of God flow through me and shine on to others who so need a glimpse of His light!

My prayer is that you too will be marked with grace and blessing!

Shine On!

~Karrilee~

I am expecting Overwhelming Encounters!

"Overwhelming encounters with the extravagant love of our heavenly Father will do much to dismantle unbelief." (~Bill Johnson, Secrets to Imitating God)

We all have our moments of doubt and unbelief... of wanting a sign to prove truth... of frustration because it seems in the span between uttering prayers and rejoicing over answers - time can appear to stand still and it appears that nothing is happening! I don't know about you - but phrases from days of old like "praying through" and "standing on the promises", while they are true, bring little to no comfort in the moment! However, as I stumbled upon this gem of a quote by Bill Johnson, my spirit jumped and my heart sang out! What a great reminder... what we ALL need; what we all must have - is an encounter with His love... that is what changes atmospheres, brings freedom, pulls us up, and releases answers! Once again - whatever we face, after encountering His amazing love - we can say, "You are enough, Lord! You are all I need." When our perspective is changed, and our hearts are overflowing with His great love - there is no longer room for unbelief or doubt to abide with the adoration and faith we have for Him. When we allow His love to overwhelm us... His Kingdom comes, and His will is done... on earth - AS IT IS in heaven!

I am praying for and expecting overwhelming encounters with the Father's extravagant love... for me, and for you!

~Karrilee~

Stories from The Shack

Wow... incredible!

If you have read this blog much at all - you will recall the (many) posts about The Shack the book that almost wasn't, written by William Paul Young. I fell in love with this book before I ever read it... I kept hearing how crazy messed up you'd be after reading it and just could not get my hands on it! I heard it was controversial... I heard some loved it and some hated it but very few were on the fence about it... I knew it seemed to stir up the religious spirit in any and all of us and for this reason alone - I wanted to play along! I think it is always a good thing to rile up your religious spirit and seek a deeper level of grace and freedom in Christ. Anyway - I read the book basically in one sitting. Then turned around and made myself read it again... S-L-O-W-E-R. I read it AGAIN to my teenage daughter... then I began buying copies. I finally had to write my name in a copy, and reread it marking it up just so I could actually KEEP one for myself!

So - by mere accident... I saw somewhere that there was a new show/play/theatrical performance based on or around The Shack and that it was coming to Seattle for One Night Only! I had to go! It was on Mother's Day... hmmm... well - I don't normally ASK for anything on Mother's Day - but a day trip to the Emerald City seemed like a valid request and wrapping it up with an evening at the theater sounded divine. Inspired, even! So - I ordered three tickets to see the show and told my family what we were doing for me... luckily they were both excited as well and we were all in agreement and expecting a great time.

Let me say... we headed to Seattle around 10 in the morning and it was grey and cloudy... we let our girlie drive us the first 2 hours to help her get some more highway driving in before she gets her license... other than that first Merge and a few little shoulder weaves she did great! By the time we hit Seattle - it was GORGEOUS!!! We hung out at Green Lake, had lunch at Red Mills, walked around the Lake, chilled out during Happy Hour at Starbucks (cuz that's just how we roll!), met up with my niece for a bit and then headed to the WaMu theater in Seattle to see our show!

Much like how after reading the book - there was a time period required for processing... the show had the same effect. It was a visual FEAST - so much to see and take in. I LOVED that there were so many different creative artistic expressions... there was live music (incredible band playing through out - not to mention the actual performers, including Danny Gokey), interpretive dancers, a great sand artist, aerialists who were AMAZING, as well as Paul Young being interviewed live - where he would share personal stories of readers of The Shack who had contacted him to let him know of the impact the book had on them. Powerful stuff! At one point it seemed they did insert a little infomercial - but the info was good... I am sure they will work on how to better incorporate that soon. I wished that there was more reading excerpts from the book as many in the audience had not yet read it... and those of us who have - never mind or complain about reading it or hearing it again! I could have SWORN in the promo they had filmed portions of the book too but that was not in the show, and now is nowhere to be found... that was a little disappointing. Overall - however - the best part (despite all the color and lights and creative beauty) was just simply Paul - sharing stories...

They have limited dates set already... if this is coming near you, I encourage you to go!

~Karrilee~

Still Around...

Wow... I can't believe it has been over a year since I have logged on and started typing here!

I have been busy and life is good... we've had some ups and some downs and all the while - the Lords Abiding Love and Abounding Grace have covered us and carried us...

I have worked on a children's book that I am just now beginning to shop around. I believe it will be the first in a series... and I also have a few other ideas still rolling around that have not yet taken form. I hope to work on those things with more focus and purpose in this next year.

I think the one thing that the Lord has been saying to me personally lately is quite simply to reach out and receive what He has already given... He is not needing to pave the way anymore - or pay for one more thing - it truly IS finished... and we are entering a season where the favor of God will more and more be evident on those who know - I mean, really really KNOW - who they are!

I believe He is so wanting to meet with us, and to speak to us... if we would but simply quiet ourselves and be still for even a moment or two - He will show up for us and - in line with my life verse (Jer 33:3) - show us great and mighty things which we do not know!

Quiet yourself... set aside even just a few minutes to wait for Him... and be ready to hear Him speak!

~Karrilee~

Treasure Hunt Recaps

OK - well - I promised to give some Treasure Hunt Recaps from some of our outings around town... so I will add those here.

I also have gotten the first official draft of the first book in a series out of my head, and onto paper... now - on to the editing portion of this call. Thanks for the prayers... they definitely helped!

12/23/09

Suzanne and I were able to go out on Wed for a Treasure Hunt. It was a great first experience and we really were happy that we pressed through and did it even though it was just us two!

We met up here at my place, and prayed in the Spirit for a few minutes - wrote down our clues (which came easily and many were the same on our lists or at least related!)... and then we were off. We felt led to Fred Meyers and while there were a few possible Treasures that we didn't approach (due to lack of boldness or just waiting for more clarification) we DID approach two women, who were very open and blessed. We were able to pray for each of them - one for her mother who had recently had a stroke, and one for her husband who had been out of work for several months. Both women were blessed to think that they were God's Treasures and that He would send us to them... both walked away in awe of God and thankful that we approached them. We waited around Fred Meyers for a bit longer, knowing we had plenty of clues left to find - but after about 30 minutes or so - we decided to call it a day. We learned a few things... like that next time we want to be better at showing people our map to let THEM see if any of the clues pertain to them! Also - at first I battled being discouraged - we had SO MANY clues that it felt like we shouldn't have only had two encounters - but then again - I would rather have too many clues than only one or two things to go on!

01/04/10

This was our second Treasure Hunting experience – well, Suzanne and I’s – the rest of the group had not officially gone out yet – so we were all excited! We met up and sang a song or two… prayed in the Spirit for a bit and wrote down our clues! There were MANY again… which was so encouraging! Many – once again – were related or the same on various lists! After discussing for a few minutes where to go – we all piled in our cars and headed out to Safeway (just down the road). We got to chat with 6 people on our outing and God confirmed things to us – and to them – that really stirred us up and helped us to get excited about going out on more Hunts!

We first walked into the grocery store and immediately all saw a gal leaving after going through the check out. She was an OBVIOUS treasure as she met SEVERAL things on each of our lists. There were 6 of us – so we let three take the lead and approach her as she was passing by us. Her name is Holly. The clues that matched up on our Maps included Crutches, Curly Brown Hair, Big Smile, Leg Problems, Red shoes (her cast was red!) She is a devote Jew and was born with a birth defect and had just had her 18^th surgery which is why she was in a cast. Three of us drifted off as to not overwhelm her and started our own hunt. The other three team members began to minister to her and were able to pray with her for her foot. When they asked if she felt any different after the prayer, her response was, “Well, I feel no pain!?” Praise God!

The other three team members approached a man with a “Black Hat” and “Yellow” on… he was in the “Dairy” aisle and we showed him our lists, asking if any of the clues made sense to him. He said that they didn’t but was open to pray for safety over his snowmobiling hobby and when we touched on Tug Of War or Relational issues, we struck a chord but he was not open to talking in depth. We offered to pray for him for his safety and said our goodbyes.

One of our team members felt boldness to approach a gal in the produce dept simply because one of her clues was ‘blue’ and the gal had blue jeans on! In talking with her, she discovered that this gal had met a few other clues as well (Sorrowing/pain, tug of war) in that she had experienced the loss of 5 people/deaths in the last 5 years!

There was a gal in the store that every team member passed and yet felt drawn to – she met some of the clues – but at the right time, a team of 3 approached her to show her their lists. The clues she met up with included Yellow, Black, Coat, Yogurt, J-ello, Assurance of Heart, Eggs, Angst, etc. Her name was Sabin and one of our team members knows her a little from church and the Lord has put her on Gloria’s heart the day before. Sabin and her husband are trying to conceive another child and she asked for prayer about that. The team prayed for her and she was blown away! She said that she could FEEL like butterflies and warmth in her womb area. Gloria mentioned to her that she had contacted one of Sabins’ neighbors due to a church visitation card that was filled out and Sabin said that the very same neighbor was there – in the store… her name is Allison and she happened to turn the corner at just that moment. Gloria introduced herself and they had a great conversation about the Lord while the other team members were praying for Sabin.

Our last encounter was with a man named Paul. He met up with several clues as well – including Brown Cargo Pants, Arizona, blue shirt, ladder, trip, big smile, migraines, assurance of heart, etc. He shared that he is a Contractor but he wants to retire and get into another business. He and his wife (Wendy – who suffers from Migraines) are planning a trip to discuss a new business opportunity that would take them to Arizona. He was warm and friendly and very open – blessed that we came to him and prayed with him for the business, his wife, as well as an invention that he is waiting for patents and sales on.

All in all, it was a great success and we were very encouraged to uncover and have the chance to share the love and hope of Jesus! We will continue to pray for the needs presented and look forward to more treasures to seek out on future Hunts!

01/11/10

Our approach was the same this week – although on our Maps – we specified ‘categories’ as in the book (Location; Person’s Name: Appearance; Prayer Needs; Unusual) Once again – we had many clues and many that related to each other!

Here is what we found today:

We were led to Memorial Hospital (clues included various sicknesses as well as hospital, statue, various items that would be found in a gift shop, etc) As we first entered the hospital – God highlighted a group of three women outside…

KAREN & BILLY – (clues included Karen, Billie/William, Long Blonde Hair, Black Coat, Hospital) Gloria, Linda, and I approached the three women and introduced ourselves, saying that we are on a Treasure Hunt. Gloria showed her list to the girls and asked if anything stood out and we quickly discovered that the one gals name was Karen, she was married to a Billy, and they were there because her father was just coming out of a successful surgery. As we talked with Karen and ministered to her, her step Mom Chris was tearing up and being ministered to as well. When we asked if we could pray with them, the friend/co-worker who was there (Donna) scooted in and said, “I want to be included too! I could use prayer!” So we all gathered around the three of them and prayed. We prayed for Richard (her father) and for her husband and sons, as well as for Provision and Hope! It was awesome!

GLORI ANNA – (clues included Long Blonde Hair, Planning a Trip, Florida, Valentine’s, Cancer) We all went in to the Gift Shop and Esther and Gloria approached Glori Anna noticing her long blonde hair. She was at the hospital visiting a good friend (Olga) who has cancer and is not doing very well. Olga has 7 children and 2 of them are stuck in Florida and not able to get here. The girls ministered to her regarding her friend. * Follow up – we found out that at least one of Olga’s children from FL DID make it to Yakima the next day!

TAMMY – (clues included Tammy, Valentine’s, Blue, Blue Shoes Cancer) Linda, Ande, and I approached her noticing her blue shirt and blue shoes… it wasn’t until we started talking with her did we notice her name tag (Tammy). She was confused but open and couldn’t think of why God would highlight her or couldn’t’ think of any prayer needs – but the more we talked with her, we discovered she works on the 2^nd floor (Cancer) and just started in December and was still pretty nervous! So – we got to pray with her regarding favor on the job and no fear!

JODI – (Chuck, Devon, Red) Jodi was fun because she was entering the Gift Shop while we are leaving and she saw our lists and said, “Oh – those guys are on a treasure hunt!” Little did she know! So – Esther began talking with her and Linda and Ande joined them. Turns out her sisters’ name is Chuck, and she knows a Devon as well… she was wearing red and needed prayer because her kidneys are shutting down. She was a little uncomfortable having prayer on the spot – but the girls made it quick and simple and let her get back to work! (She works at the hospital!)

IDELLA – (Statue) This was our last encounter and really it was a divine appt for Linda! She got the clue ‘statue’ and so we went searching out for statues in the hospital! We went to the Creation Statue and looked around… we all walked off but Linda recognized someone. Turns out it was her husbands’ cousins’ wife. Her husbands’ cousin was in surgery and will be in the hospital for a few days – so Doug knows now and can go visit! Linda got to explain what we were doing there and definitely got to plant some seeds!

01/18/10

Our Maps this week were set up to include the categories again (Location; Person’s Name: Appearance; Prayer Needs; Unusual)

Here is who we found:

REBECCA – (Hand/wrist issue, Sling, Carpal Tunnel, Curly Brown Hair) We decided to first go to Fred Meyers and ran into Rebecca in the dairy section. We first noticed her curly brown hair and the sling/cast/wrap she had on her wrist. She had recently had Carpal Tunnel surgery and was healing nicely… she was recently divorced, with three kids, and said she had finally felt peace. We prayed with her for total healing, comfort, guidance, and peace. She said she had been thinking of Stone church but she works on Sundays. We encouraged her to check out the other things that go on there during the week for herself and her kids. Suzanne had a word for her to let her know that God was actively interested in her. Two Scriptures were given as encouragement (Ps 139 and Jer 29:11) We had a powerful time of prayer with her and she was very touched by the Lord.

BETTY – (Red coat, Rings, Nails, White Car, Sorrow, Loss) We had noticed Betty in the store several times, but she seemed to always be in conversation with other people – but at the right time – we approached her while she was getting in her car to leave (which was another clue) and explained that we were on a Treasure Hunt and that we believed that she was our Treasure. As we talked, and showed her our maps, she began to soften and immediately said that she would like prayer for her sister Su who just recently lost her young husband Eric to cancer. We got to pray with her for her sister as well as praying for Betty herself and she was blessed! She said that that was her BEST EVER Fred Meyer Shopping experience!

CINDY - (Orange, Safeway, Moon, Lips, Mayo, Abdominal Issues, Carpal Tunnel, Hip/limp) We went to Safeway on our way home as that was on our list and Suzanne ran into Cindy who is a friend. We noticed right away that she was on our Maps as well – meeting many of our clues! We prayed for Cindy for total healing – she has just gone to a meeting the night before and had prayer for healing – so we came in agreement with that prayer and we prayed for her visit with her daughter and granddaughter, as well as for salvation for her daughters’ step mom. In talking with her, it came out that she has been single for a long time – but only recently began to have a desire to get married again – so we prayed for her future spouse as well! When we were done – she prayed a blessing on all of us and was wiping tears away from her face and neck!

TACIE – (Orange, Safeway, Chain, Nails, Gum) Tacie was a funny story because we noticed her while ‘chasing down’ another gal who was wearing orange… when the two went down separate aisles, we followed the other gal. We approached her and she was a little closed off and not open… we blessed her and went on our way, only to find that the other two had seen Tacie as well… we gathered together and she came headed toward us. When we told her what we were doing, and showed her all the clues on our maps that she matched up with, she seemed amazed. She was open – but kept saying things like, “well – just send good thoughts my way!” We prayed for Peace for her and brought up The Shack. She said that she had just had one or two co-workers bring that book up as well so we encouraged her to read it.

01/25/10

Our Maps this week were set up to include the categories again (Location; Person’s Name: Appearance; Prayer Needs; Unusual) Sheri came but felt that she was actually supposed to go somewhere else on her own to minister and so she headed in her own direction and saw that the clues God gave her were along her path as well! What I thought was interesting was that we pressed through and went – but the four of us were really not ‘feeling’ it on Monday! We were all a little tired and hesitant… isn’t it good to know and see that even when we are not 100% - God gives His all anyway!

Here is who we found:

SYLVIA – (Yellow, Safeway, Comfort/Assurance, Sylvia, Jitters/Coffee)

Suzanne and Karri approached this gal as she was wearing a Yellow coat, and had just ordered a Starbucks coffee. Her first comment was something like, “Oh no – Jehovahs Witnesses in the grocery store!” LOL! We assured her we were not JWs – but we were on a treasure hunt! We pointed out the clues that she met on our maps and asked if we could pray for her. She was very open, and we actually wanting prayer for direction and wisdom. She had just found herself sending her youngest child off to school and was wondering what to do with her time. She had been a SAHM for years and wondered if she should go get a job. We encouraged her and affirmed her and prayed for direction, and blessed her family and children. She was very blessed by our ‘boldness’!

MARION & FAITH – (Faithful, Crutches, Safeway, Hip, Mary, Fear/Afraid, Romance/Love)

Lynda and Ande approached these two gals as one had a crutch and that was on their list. Marion was the mother–in-law and was the one on the crutch, and Faith was her daughter-in-law. They found that she had had several surgeries, and was recently widowed, moved to a new neighborhood and was in a new parish. They got to pray with her for healing and peace and to find a home in her new church. They also blessed Faith and let her know she was a Treasure as well!

JOE – (Tall, thin, Nervous, shifty eyes, shakey, Safewaym Joe/Jo)

This was a great encounter… I will let Ande share about this one:

“Of course Joe, you guys pointed him out. And for some reason left him to me. Like go get ‘em Ande.... Only kidding. I was very apprehensive in the beginning, especially because he was walking so darn fast. I had to run...... I knew tho that he was Gods treasure. He had a hard time understanding who and why we were...He loves God, showed him the clues of Safeway , thin, tall, and the name Jo which was both his & his sons name who is Handicapped or challenged. It seems like he really need lots of care. (I also had the words shifty eyes, and nervous which was just for me I think. To give me a heads up that it wouldn't be easy.) He said we could pray for him, his son and his wife. He told us about all the years of his addition he kept his son and took care of him. He has been sober for about 3 -5 years. That he has always loved God but not religion, Gods taken care of him. I told him God honors the fact that through it all he had taken care of his son. He really was Gods treasure, I read the word I got on my clue, "God needs you to know that He really loves and cares for you." I know he felt blessed.......

We also stopped in at Shopko on our way home… Suzanne and I approached a gal there – can’t remember her name because I didn’t write it down right away. Anyway – we told her what we were doing… and shared that she met some clues on my map – (Green vest, Books, Skin Care, Shopko) and offered to pray for anything for her. She requested prayer for her husband and his family as they had lost a nephew last year and were all having a hard time with that. So we were able to pray with her right there and bless them.

Another successful Hunt! Praise God!

(Sort of makes you want to get the book and go out on some Hunts, doesn't it!?)

~Karrilee~