Spiritual Awakening

The first time I worshiped at Passion City Church (Atlanta, Georgia) in 2009, it was surreal to me. I thought it was because one of my favorite musicians was leading worship. But as time went by, the Lord began to speak to my spirit about what was really happening. Sitting in a sea of college aged kids, I was fixated on one word: REVIVAL. I could see the beginnings of a true spiritual awakening.

Several years later, on June 25, 2011, I had a dream in my sleep about Passion City Church. The message of my dream confirmed to me that what I had been sensing was truly from God.

I began to envision a true movement of God similar to the stories in the book of Acts. I envisioned people getting healed of diseases, the blind getting their vision back, and most importantly I envisioned people weeping in repentance.

It’s been eighteen months since I had the dream in my sleep and over three years since I first visited Passion City Church. With expectation for a great awakening, I have continued to pray for a major Jesus movement to begin there.

Tonight, the Passion 2013 conference began at the Georgia Dome. As my daughter was leaving today to attend the conference, I felt strongly in my spirit that at this event there will be multitudes of people healed, delivered, and touched by Jesus.

As I was watching the live web stream from home, I just sat in awe. I believe this week that Jesus is going to rock the Dome. People will be set free. And I believe this move of God will ignite a movement that will lead to a great awakening in the Church.

Please pray for all those attending and for the people around the world watching. 

So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow... ~ Philippians 2:10

Click here to watch the conference live at various times throughout the week.

Live Abundantly!
Amy

Christmas Peace

My heart melts in the presence of Christ. His Spirit comes into the room and I just want to dance and worship and fall at His feet. His presence is so real that my physical body feels as though I can touch Jesus.

I have never seen Him with my eyes, but when He is in the room, there is a peace that comes in like a gentle winter snow falling to the ground.

There’s a song that describes the delicate beauty of the presence of Christ. “Winter Snow” by Audrey Assad and Chris Tomlin touches me deeply when I listen to it. It causes me to stop what I’m doing and draw near to Christ.

The lyrics are words that speak of the softness of Christ’s love…“Could’ve come like a mighty storm with all the strength of a hurricane. You could’ve come like a forest fire with the power of Heaven in Your flame. But You came like a winter snow…quiet and soft and slow. Falling from the sky in the night to the earth below…”

My prayer this Christmas is that many will stop to feel the softness of Christ’s spirit and rest in His perfect love in the midst of a chaotic world. I pray that the Spirit of Christmas will bring the peace that souls are longing for. Ultimately, I pray that Christ’s Spirit will cover this earth like a beautiful blanket of snow and that all will see His perfect and unfailing love.

He tends to his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart...Isaiah 40:11

Live Abundantly!
Amy

Where's the Grace?

In August of 2001, as I was watching the Tour de France, Jan Ullrich, a talented German cyclist tumbled down an embankment while descending the Peyresourde. The fall cost him a noticeable amount of time in the race. Lance Armstrong held back from taking advantage of Ullrich. He waited until his closest competitor caught back up with him. Maybe some would see that as the politically correct choice for Armstrong. But I saw it as a sign that Lance is a man of character. He showed honor to his rival.

I have always tried to avoid writing about anything controversial. I've been a fairly timid person for most of my life. But after reaching my forties, I have surprised myself by the boldness that often rises up in me when I am standing up for what is right.

I pray that I don't ever stir up a hornet's nest by anything I write. But I feel that it's necessary for me to speak up about things that are unjust.

This week I've asked myself more than once, "Where is the grace?"

My reason for asking this question has to do with the unkind comments I have read that were aimed toward Lance Armstrong after he made the decision to withdraw from the fight against the USADA, the organization that has been accusing Lance of using enhancement drugs during his years of competing in cycling events.

In a perfect world, there would be nothing but love and encouragement offered to a person who was undergoing accusations that could possibly be false. Many people seem to believe that Lance is guilty of the accusations without the proper evidence. My belief system causes me to assume someone is innocent until proven guilty.

As a passionate follower of Jesus Christ, my goal is to love others the way that I want to be loved. The second greatest commandment—we all know—is "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Let's just suppose Lance is guilty of lying and cheating in the cycling events. I personally believe he is innocent. But hypothetically speaking, if he were to be found guilty, I would remain supportive toward him. He has proven himself to be the kind of man that wants to do good for this world. He has tirelessly given of his time for the cancer community. And the fact that he may not have the same beliefs as I do about Christ does not change my attitude toward him. Actually, my relationship with Christ is what allows me to have love and to have compassion toward all men regardless of their beliefs or what they may have done.

Earlier this week, my daughter showed me a video with the story of families in Rwanda who have proven it's possible to love and forgive the ones who have committed the most despicable crimes. In the video, the story of the genocide that took place in the nineties is recounted. It's a beautiful story of redemption as they share how some of the murderers have asked for forgiveness. Amazingly, the victims graciously forgave the ones who killed their husbands, sisters, brothers, daughters, and sons. Jesus died so that we could all live a life of reconciliation. The story in the video is a powerful example for all of us.

If a woman can forgive the man who murdered her entire family, then certainly we all can forgive the high profile people who may have done something wrong.

It's possible through Christ, to live with a heart filled with compassion and a perfect love toward one another.

When we are all gone from this earth, what do we want to be remembered by? Do we want to be remembered by the critical things we said about others or the judgments we made about them?

When I'm gone from here, I want to be remembered for the love I showed to my fellow man. I want my life to be defined by the grace that saved me. I want to always be an encourager and one that makes people feel deeply loved and appreciated. I want to always see the best in everyone.

The controversy this week surrounding the USADA and Lance Armstrong has caused me to look closer at my own heart. And more than ever, I want to live a life that is defined by grace.

And the second is this:  'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these. ~ Mark 12:31 (NIV)

Live Abundantly!

Amy

Only Forgiveness Can Win from Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee on Vimeo.

Resurrection Joy

Matthew 28:6

"He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.” NAS

While looking out my back window, I noticed the wind gently blowing the beautiful flower blossoms and the new leaves that had emerged. The smells of spring were blowing in from outside and reminding me of the new life that had recently come forth. I was overcome by the Spirit of God and His amazing love. His presence was overpowering. His love stunned me just like it does every single day. His voice reminded me of the joy of the Easter season. He beckoned Me with His words to once again let His love renew my spirit. I heard Him whisper in the perfect love language that only He can speak.

I am risen! Celebrate My resurrection. Come live fully in Me every moment of every day. Don't give one thought to the difficulties of life on earth. For these are light and momentary troubles in the world. Keep your eyes fixed on Me and all things unseen. As you live in Me, you will rise up on eagles' wings and soar continually. Don't be afraid of anything I ask you to do. Simply obey Me. Live in the fullness of My joy. Shout to the world of My goodness. Glorify My name so that those in need of Me will know the truth of who I am. Let this day be a day of new beginnings: a day to rejoice in My perfect love for you. My heart longs for you, My beloved bride. I am coming back for you and will live with you for all eternity. Come with Me to high places and never stop singing praises over all you have found in the gift of the cross.

His words lifted my soul and filled me up to overflowing with joy and exuberance. His love awakened me once again. My heart was overcome with gratitude and I praised Him for His beauty.

A Prayer

Beloved Jesus,

You are beautiful. You are amazing. You are incredible. Thank You for the glorious gift You have given mankind by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Thank You for bearing the indescribable pain so that we can live fully and freely. Thank You for coming into the world and offering us salvation and letting us live in Your love for all eternity. Lord, we know we could never repay You for what You have done for us. But we come to you with humility and sit at Your feet to worship and adore You for all that You are. Your love lifts our countenance. Your love gives us hope. Your love heals our broken hearts. Your love allows us to give to the needy, to share the Good News to the lost, and to forgive the ones who have hurt us. Your love conquers all of the darkness and awakens our souls. We will be eternally grateful for YOU. We love You with all of our hearts. Amen.

Thought for the Day

The resurrection of Christ is the only hope for our world.

 

LIVE ABUNDANTLY!

Amy