MY SECRET GARDEN

[source]

"Underneath it all" ... by Sherri Youngward
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfT0naisqJI

Tomorrow I will embark on a whole new adventure here on this blog for a while. It originally was in honor of my birthday month (but I posted it sooner).

I am doing a daily personal challenge of transforming my life into a more prayerful one and drawing closer to God. I'm determined to do a chapter a day that I've already set up 31 prescheduled posts to read and do. It will really be liking journaling or notes shared publicly as I pass through these new waters.

I would like to grasp the 30 ways to pray for my life, so that I may live a life of balance, purpose, freedom, wholeness and true success. I want to live a more prayerful life, a life dedicated to drawing close to God and communing with Him every day - a life that works through the power of God, not my own, knowing what my true needs are and that God alone is my only source that I need to plug in to. I may share and I may not but the theme for each day is there and I'll share the scriptures, maybe the prayer or mine.

Clues for what the book is:

It is from a new book by the same author that I was hoping to do as an online study (but I postponed it until the New Year), she is a long time favorite of mine... since the late 80s, I have studied under her wings, reading her books, even in Spanish. The more I pray, the more I find that I cannot live without Him and His power. I long for the intimacy of my first love. I want to return to that place of deepening my closeness and fine tuning my ears and my heart. I desire for my heart to be softened like His. I seek true freedom and wholeness through living a prayerful life. (and no, it's not any of the books I mention)

I remember as a young child reading 4 books as soon as I could read from our family bookshelves: Black Beauty, Bambi, Happy Hollisters and The Secret Garden (of course, there were others I enjoyed even more). Yet one book, a big, red book that sat on our living room table, is the one that I really wanted to read. I was intrigued by its colorful pictures and even the texture of the book cover. It ain't so, that you can't judge a book by its cover, I beg to differ. So this next month, I am combining that special book, the Bible, God's Word to us, while taking time to go with my Lord into "The Secret Garden", spending time alone with Him, like no other time.

I'll call this time my "Secret Garden" time because I'm not sharing the name of this book with anyone (unless you ask me specifically in the comments & I email you the title) it's a secret! Besides, this will be a personal processing, where I am journeying into this garden: to uproot some weeds that don't belong; plant some new seeds; and water the beautiful blooms of fragrant flowers from my Beloved Lord.

He is leading me with His gentle and restoring hand, into the valleys and perhaps to the mountaintops. Much like another favorite book of mine as a young adult, "Hinds Feet on High Places", I am ascending through a transforming season and I am not like 'Much Afraid'. I am pursuing Him, much like another favorite of mine, "God Calling" and currently I am reading another devotional "Jesus Calling" but they are both the same (not the same book) the same Caller. I am listening like never before and I am running into His Garden... to be refreshed and restored through His Living Water. I will sit along the flowing rivers of plenty and healing, for He is doing a new work in me.

It will be like a blog break again... because I will not leave this Secret Garden and wander along other paths. I need to focus on Him. I am preparing the soil for the work that must be done. Be patient and loving kindness will follow all the days that I press in to draw closer and commune in this Secret Garden. Yes, I will tell Him many secrets that He may want exposed so He can reveal to me since He already knows and has just been waiting for me since I asked Him to search my heart...

I must be off... so I can be ready to make time for my King, my Beloved... He is coming soon.

And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:11

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7

So I'm off to My Secret Garden for the month. Forgive me if I am a bit negligent in visiting you. I will try, but I can't promise that I will. I'm praying this time with Him will renew and give me a fresh outlook and perspective, focusing on where He wants me~not people pleasing but God pleasing first & foremost. We'll see where He leads me... May you continue on a journey of drawing closer to Him as well and your life filled with abundant blessings in this season of fall... my favorite!

What is your favorite season ?

What does the season of "fall" symbolize for you?

* I removed my visuals from this post, which really did add to the Garden... my own photos do not show gardens but forest from MN and MX beaches or desert or far off mountain hills. Not appropriate. I'll be explaining this in a future post. I added the beautiful garden song of Sherri Youngward in lieu of the Garden because the YouTube video was done so well by Alondra. Now I went back and added the entrance to MY SECRET GARDEN above. I went to read Brenda's Journals of the Heart today and Garden of My Love is The Word of the Day. WOW! I'm really blessed. Even my blog verse, Isaiah 61 is there. 

I BELIEVE...

If you are feeling "weak" today, or in need of comfort, I pray that Sherri's song will minister to you as it did to me. We each have our weaknesses, but Jesus is Our Strength! Take Comfort in the Holy Spirit today as you listen and lean on Him...

"I BELIEVE"... by Sherri Youngward

My weakness, your strength Your comfort, my pain

Your willingness, my fear
My indifference, Your tears
When Your tears were falling down
Only heaven’s ears heard the sound
When I couldn’t see
Your tears fell for me
You’re reaching out
I’m pulling in
I turn around You forgive again
When Your tears were falling down
Only heaven’s ears heard the sound
Quietly my tears fell down
Only heaven’s ears heard the sound
I believe, Your tears fell for me
My emptiness, You’re filling
My brokenness, You’re healing
I believe

Words and Music: Sherri
© copyright 2010 Sherri Youngward

Rarely does a song capture my heart in the first words and I relate so well that I'm drawn in to listen, captivated by the lyrics. The tone is set by this music. Sherri has really done it for me with this song. I realize that these songs go way back for her, but since I'm just learning of them, they are new and so healing. I also love how Alondra Hanley has done these videos. Beautiful!!!

This song took me back once again to an old favorite of mine by The Letterman, "I believe..."

...which always brought me to tears (especially the part(s) in bold) and yet I still believe... (dating myself again with this song, right?) 

I believe for every drop of rain that falls a flower grows

I believe that somewhere in the darkest night a candle glows

I believe for everyone who goes astray

someone will come to show the way

I believe, I believe

I believe above the storm the smallest prayer will still be heard

I believe that someone in the great somewhere hears every word

Every time I hear a newborn baby cry

or touch a leaf

or see the sky

Then I know why

I believe

Every time I hear a newborn baby cry or touch a leaf or see the sky

Then I know why I believe

(why I believe)

Thinking about, if this song played a part in solifying my beliefs, and just believing, while knowing WHY without ever asking or questioning. Now I am a bit more prone to asking "why", when I should not even BE questioning. So I lay that all down, no more "whys" but "what do You want me to do with this?" "How am I to turn this around and grow? Lord, for You & bring glory to Your Name"... yep that's it "what am I suppose to do with this?"... and meanwhile

I BELIEVE

What are you believing in or believing for today?

I stand with you in prayer BELIEVING...

because

 these fundamental truths are what
I BELIEVE

1. The Scriptures are inspired by God.
2. There is only One True God
3. In the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
4. Salvation, Sanctification, divine healing, baptism of the Holy Spirit, Second coming of Christ
5. ...and all the rest of these truths... founded and substantiated in the Word of God

but I am not sharing this for debate, because BELIEFS are a matter of your faith, growth, teaching, church, and most importantly the truth of God the Father, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit reveal to you

WORSHIP DANCE in SPIRIT & in TRUTH

[source]
The following video just says "Christian Dance" in Spanish by Jesus Adrian Romero, a worship singer & composer, author and pastor from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico... the first Mexican state I pass through on my journey back home to here after leaving the U.S.A. 
None of the song titles given with this video are the right song, though they are songs by Jesus Adrian Romero.
I looked for the lyrics of this song and have not found them still. But since it would be in Spanish, you may not understand it anyways... I was hoping to give you an overall translation
... so what I am really asking is that you allow the dance to speak to your heart & help you understand & receive just through the dance and His Holy Spirit...
Jesus Adrian Romero is a very gifted composer and has a way of writing spiritual ballads. And his name is understood in English or Spanish: Jesus (hay soos) not(gee zus)...
I pray even through the language barrier that you will enjoy this liturgical dance & song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jadzdmlrPVI

You won't believe it but I found the song and lyrics here the day before this posts.

The SONG is "BUSCANDO REFUGIO" which means

LOOKING FOR REFUGE


and I found that REFUGE
in the words of this song, the dance and my worship this weekend, 
how about you?

[source] beautiful poetry

[I still won't translate because I really want you to receive from the dancers]
and the
HOLY SPIRIT
...but I may add it later. Words & translation...

What do you sense this song is about?


HOW IS HE WHISPERING TO YOU THROUGH THIS SONG?

*try not to read the comments until after you respond, OK? (sorry Karen) :0( 

RESTORE (Part 3)

"I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord."  
Jeremiah 30:17

I believe wholeheartedly in healthy inner healing ministry as restoration through Christ by the dynamic work of the Spirit and should be an essential part of every local church. 

Inner healing is a journey towards wholeness and restoration through God the Father in Jesus Christ by the work of the Spirit. Being a follower of Jesus Christ is a movement of God’s grace in bringing about healing and restoration—and inner healing prayer is simply a continuation of that movement. Though God can bring healing through individual prayer, often there is this logjam caused by deep wounds and patterns of sinful reactions that can only be broken through the mediation of others on our behalf. 


I'm in that place of spiritual healing and restoration since being home in MN this summer and briefly sharing in a weekly small group with my home church that blessed me so much with "Life's Healing Choices" by Jon Baker (from Saddleback Church). I did not finish with my precious small group people but will be finishing with another church online that is doing this churchwide this September 26th until November 20th. So expect more... RESTORATION

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeHjYK2Z1YI

When we REST in JESUS, we will find that place of HEALING and being RESTORED! 

This past week, Roy Lessin,at "Meet Me in the Meadow" asked us to share what the Lord is saying to your heart from Matthew 28:20 “I am with you always” then the next day, he shared some of the responses. This is what I shared:

"I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS" is so powerful as you shared many that I would say I hear, but for me personally right now, today... I hear Him say this to me...
Yea, though there were times in your journey with me, that YOU were not with me, I was with you. Though you may have walked your own way, I beckoned you to come and walk with me or lay down & rest, surrender and come with me.
Though you did not, may not or were not ACTing as though I AM WITH YOU, I AM and you cannot deny Me being everything you have always needed. I give you My hand, My love, My complete sacrifice and finally you hear My voice calling you and accepting that I am with you through it all, in it all, and I AM IMMANUEL, "God with us"... in the good times, the bad times, the ugly times, the hard times.
I AM YOURS and you are mine, do you remember making that pact, that agreement... to ABIDE IN ME & I will abide in you... even at the edge of death, you will know I AM WITH YOU, even as you hang on, in your grief, pain, sorrow, loss, mourning, suffering, questioning, you know and realize without a doubt, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS whether you feel it or not, it is the Truth, it is the Truth that has set you free in ME.
Thank you Roy and Thank You Lord Jesus for speaking to me... and being here with me, may I never forget, or say I am abandoned or forsaken because You never leave us, nor forsake us. You are true to Your Word!   Posted by: Peggy 

"Draw near to God and He will draw  near to you."

James 4:8a (NASB)

After sharing that, is when I witnessed His Presence even more powerfully in my PRAISE, PRAYER and PETITIONS with Sweet P's and Fearless Friday. I already had my post written & scheduled, so I let that one post as is, then continued in my REAL prayer time and that's when I began bursting forth in some of the songs that I shared at "The Power of Your Love" as they came forth from within me, in the wee hours of the morning, not having gone to bed yet however, and He awakens me... oh, no, this time, I opened once more to a random chapter in Brenda's book, I think it was the 3rd whisper which reads...

AS HE SPOKE to me:... (from Brenda's words)

"You are never alone in the wee hours of the day or any other moment in your life. I have always been there even when you weren't aware. We do things together, you and Me. You are the one who declares my works (Psalm 73:28).

Your touching words of spoken endearment are enabled by inspiration of Holy Spirit. I sit beside you whenever you pour your heart of love out to Me. Just the movement of your lips saying My Name warms My heart and makes Me smile..."

...and so much more in next 2 short paragraphs. WOW! However it was not that part, in all its wonder and beauty that struck me, but the following AFFIRMATION  and of what I had written to Roy's, like He was speaking right to me so I would affirm this to myself with confidence:

"I am never alone and I cling to Your promises in the Word. You never leave or forsake me (some of you may recall, if I shared it with you, of a time just recently, when I was shown this vividly, but I can't share here because someone could read it that was involved and I would not want to offend). 

I am always on Your mind. Your wings encompass me in the secret place when I am afraid (being alone or driving from MN to here in MX for the first time alone, surely makes you aware of this). Help me to see how I shine for You on days when I can't see the Son."

"Kiss my life with Your grace and mercy. Let my heart flow forth with goodness and all right thinking. Like a child, I draw near to You, embrace You, cling to You and confirm my love with a heart of thanksgiving. I giggle like an excited and delightful child in Your presence. Fill me overflowing as I rejoice with songs of praise." ~ Brenda Craig, "Carving in His Palm" 

You have to get Brenda's book... I know it will help you to listen and hear God whisper. His Love Letter, the Bible, becomes so alive when you spend time in His Presence soaking in His Word and allowing God to speak to you.

Psalm 73:28

But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God and made Him my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.


Thank You Lord for Your Word so clearly spoken. Thank You for Your love so beautifully given. Thank You for our sister Brenda Craig, a willing vessel that You pour through to help others be RESTORED and draw nearer to You, just to hear You whisper our name as we lift up Your Name... Jehovah Rapha, Our Restorer! Jehovah Rophe-ka, Our Healer. Thank You, Lord God Almighty. 


Thank You for my sisters in Christ that help me to heal and be restored through their love, their prayers, their emails, their ecards, their encouraging comments left here or wherever... Thank You for each one. Thank You for answers to prayers! Thank You for prayers that we're still waiting on... 


Thank You for the gift of music and each artist that uses their gift for You!
Thank You for this song that Jaci Velasquez and Mindy Gledhill sing and the composers of this song. (I believe this one was Mindy singing though I don't know her as well as I do Jaci)


Thank You for drawing near and giving us REST! This is the day the Lord has made, so I will rejoice and rest in You, my Lord until tomorrow...


when I will return to my blogging world and visits all of you that have been by and I may have missed you... 


This was not my Sunday post so there still is one scheduled today... sorry for so many and so long... but I wanted to keep my "RESTORE" ones together... but who knows there may be more...


IF YOU NEED PRAISE TODAY dance over to THE POWER OF YOUR LOVE & Then JOIN eLisa @ Extravagant Grace for a great PRAISE CHALLENGE! SHARE YOUR PRAISE in SONG & VERSE TODAY!!! 


We all need to give MORE PRAISE for the spirit of heaviness, discouragement, despair or whatever's holding you back, let it go, and PRAISE HIM today, this week, every day!!! Let's not give the enemy of our souls an inch to rob us anymore of JOY, PEACE, PRAISE, GOODNESS, OUR LOVE for THE LORD and HIS PEOPLE!!! SHOUT IT OUT!!!

PRAISE THE LORD!

HE IS an AWESOME GOD!

Graphics from Heartlight.org

RESTORE (Part 2)

PSALM 51

[one that I pray]

as sung by SONS OF KORAH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49KVhC3RTMc

In my quiet time with the Lord, after praising, praying, and petitioning with Sweet P's and Fearless Friday and leaving songs over at "The Power of Your Love" and prayers over at "The Lighthouse of Prayer" and with various praying bloggers, I could hear Him gently whispering to me to read this and I was reading in His Word, then I felt this nudge from Him leading me (so I randomly opened) to read this:

"My dear precious one, you have been so quiet, for such a while (not like you at all). I see many changes in you. I am thrilled at the transformation going on. There is no wasted time in Me, and

you have set your priorities right. Your time is spent more on contemplation, and you are engrossed in your duties to the things I have called you to - like home, work, and family. This is good. 

(that part may be for some of you, for fortunately I have all the time in the world to spend with Him now, He knows this full well) 

How pleased I am at how your heart and all you do is focused on Me. I am pleased by your awareness of how everything is connected with Me. My love for you is manifesting in many ways;

the heavens declare the glory of it. oh yes, My dear precious one, it is beyond any shadow of doubt that nothing- yes, nothing can separate us (Romans 8:37-39). How tender your love is for Me! I rejoice in it.

Yet I see little traces of anxiety in your heart. I know the cares, the condemnations, and the trials of the past you have been through. I looked down from heaven and witnessed your every struggle.

My unseen caring  hands strengthened you. Your hopeful heart is always lifted up to Heaven waiting for My readiness to come to your side whenever you face trouble. I am your ever present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1). Trust me and let's move on to higher ground to the hill of frankincense (Song of Songs 4:6).

You believe beyond your human understanding in all my restoring graces.(***) How can I ever say no to your pleadings when you have so much hope in My goodness? 

Your anxieties are only shadows of yesterday. It is time to let them go. Be anxious for nothing, Beloved (Philippians 4:6). I care for the sparrow, and I care even more for you (Luke 12:6-8). Relax in the security of My love today. Do not worry about tomorrow and the shadows will flee."

Thank you Brenda Craig for this wonderful word written in your book "Carvings in His Palm" that God chose for me to read today... I love how Brenda continues to teach us how to soak & draw

from God with each whisper, "Waiting on His Whisper" - Affirmation and Reflection:

~a prayer response to Him (mine was not as eloquent between my sobs of delight) could have been mine if I would recompose and wait... from Brenda's heart her words: 

"Father, my heart is fixed on You as I look around I see the manifestation of Your glory. I AM loved with a tender love. Every struggle I walk through is in Your hands and I am saved from my enemies; worry, doubt, unbelief, and fear. I trust in You Lord. All my tomorrows are in Your hands (but what about those *women and children that I lifted to You in prayer that have not had the chance to know You as I do) and Your precious blood separates my sin (like that wandering thought I added) from me as far as the east is from the west (hallelujah)! I walk in overcoming faith and I am embraced (and so are *they) within Your loving care for You contend on my behalf. 

Your Word is always on my lips and in my heart. Every sound of prayer, worship and adoration, even to my slightest breath or sigh of praise is heard and treasured by You(as I do when I hear You)

Even my thoughts of love toward You reach the highest heavens with angelic grace. today my heart is enlarged to hold more of You as new wine is poured into the recesses of my spirit. I hear Your voice and follow You on the covenanted journey we have agreed upon."

MAYBE THIS WAS MEANT FOR YOU...

Did you ever stop and contemplate how much the Lord is pleased with you? What little anxieties have you let into the peaceful manifestations of His heart in your life? Why not take some time to breathe Him in, listen and reflect on His declaration of love for you... let His love seep into your heart...what is He saying? begin to write/journal your dialog between the Lover of your soul & you the whispers to and from His heart... He is waiting, He comes to RESTORE... 

Waiting on the Lord as HE continues to RESTORE me, ... waiting of His next whisper...

For more of Brenda's beautiful Journals of the Heart, you can visit her website or buy either of her two great books: "Carving in His Palm, What God Thinks When He Whispers Your Name" and

"Soaking With A Purpose"

Each one this week spoke to me for right where I am at... but August 27th, stands out to FREE ME this week: MORE THAN A LILY 

"Take a moment to simply close your eyes and see yourself free of expectations, disappointments, fears, and attachments to past negative experiences. Ask Me what you need to let go of in order not to spin or toil…in order to see the bloom of your own life as I see it. Ask Me. I am ready to answer…Read Complete Love Letter"

RESTORE (posted earlier today) 

RESTORE

I originally posted two songs here, but now I have the first one at another post for later today... it will look the same except it will have a different song of RESTORATION and a very special whisper from God

RESTORE MY SOUL, O LORD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu2uE6bv1fI&feature=related

Psalm 51
[one that I pray]

CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEARTand RENEW A RIGHT SPIRITWITHIN ME

Today would have been my youngest brother's 50th birthday. I can't believe it, he has been celebrating his birthday for the last 20 years in heaven... my, how I miss him. He was not just my little brother, he was my friend and tag along. Someday God will restore all the time we've missed being together...

Scripture Graphics Heartlight.org Gallery

YOU'RE ALL THAT I NEED

Prayer for victims of human trafficking; the worse crime of this century; little ones sold for sex; people enslaved, for this I pray

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgjccHBxM6U

by Sherri Youngward

Ohhh LORD... yes... this is my prayer

Early in the morning 

Before the sun fills the sky

You’re the first voice to greet me

Your words are my light

Early in the morning

You’re the first one I seek

The first voice to greet me 

You’re all that I need

You’re all that I need

You’re all that I need

You’re all that I need

Your voice comes to me

Like a song to my mind

Even after the night falls

Your words are my light

Your voice comes to me

Like a hand to the lonely

Even after the night falls

You’re all the that I need

:You’re all that I need

You’re all that I need

You’re all that I need:

***

MY SWEET JESUS

You're ALL that I need
You are ALL that we need

***

Thank You!!! PRAISE YOUR HOLY NAME!

Though they don't know it yet, You are ALL they need. 

When darkness comes, they are victims of the night.

Yet I know You still hear them and see all they are going through,

some searching, others resigned to this as their destiny,

others still with some fight left in them.

Don't let them give up!

Don't leave them hopeless, lost in despair,

let them know that You are there.

Protect them, surround Your loving arms around each one,

let them see Your Light and all that You've done,

Reach just one of them and let them know You won

the victory is for them

Let them know they are valued and You gave them worth,

You created them beautiful,

You even came to this earth

to let us know how we should live

and be as ready as You were, in how we give

It's time to battle the gates of heaven, 

against these principalities

that have come to rob, steal and destroy

they have taken enough 

and

NOW IT MUST STOP.

TRAFFICKING

HUMANS

is

NOT

Your plan.

Each 

one

is

a

Child of God

waiting

to 

BE

SAVED

RESCUED

RESTORED

in 

the 

Mighty 

name

of Jesus

by

the 

Holy

Spirit

WE

ARE

ALL

FREE

You told us in Your Word, (Hebrews 4:16) to come boldly and I do, on behalf of those, who cannot or do not yet know...

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

and to seek You first... (Matthew 6:33) "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Which we enter through Your righteousness and for justice Lord, for these innocent victims. We come against the evils of our society, our world and we cry out for MERCY and an end to the social injustices and hardened hearts, lives given to this perversion and the profits must end. This is sickening and it begs for us to do something, to get involved, to wage a war against these principalities. 

So we do, through Your Word, on our knees, we cry out for this senseless crime of this century. We cast it to the pit of hell and bind every wickedness in high places, we bind the greed of hearts, we bind the lust of the flesh, we bind all the forces that hold these victims as captives. This is so wrong and we stand against this evil.

Jesus, You came to set the captive free. We release justice, freedom, human dignity and integrity. We ask for the love of God that never fails to flood these places. Send in the laborers and bless those that are speaking out & fighting this.


Open the doors and eyes to the voiceless victims. 


Open the eyes of our communities. Move us from compassion or worse yet judgment to people committed to ACTION!

Open the eyes of every possible victim to the lies and traps of the enemy.Restore their dignity,integrity and worth in Jesus' Name.  


Bless the many people with compassionate hearts, going into these places, rescuing & restoring. Provide and protect each person of these organizations and refuges for them. You are ALL that we need. Come Lord Jesus, touch lives, change lives, prepare lives, direct lives, call lives to serve You and reach these souls for Jesus; RESCUE them and set the captives FREE

withTEA WITH TIFFANY
http://www.teawithtiffany.comJoin between Friday and Sunday

WE ARE NOTHING WITHOUT YOU!

WE PRAISE YOU!

I GIVE THANKS & PRAISE

TO YOU!!!

PRAISE

YOU

FOR
ALL
YOU
ARE

&

ALL

YOU
DO

(You may see that I always have a song before or with my prayer, because for me, music begins the flow of my heart, with me singing, praising, adoring, I come before Him. Music allows me to tune everything else out and draw into His Presence. I hear Jesus singing over me and I adore singing my praises & love to Him. I promise though I will be praying 'n' praising all weekend, I will only link once.)