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Friday May 22, 2015 DAY 75 AWAKEN THE VISION OF MY HEART
Good morning everyone! It is actually morning instead of last night! OOPS! It is now actually afternoon of yesterday. Friday was long, interesting, full of the joy of the Lord, overload of information, AND EXHAUSTING! I actually felt tired last evening, probably due to very short nights all week. It caught up with me! I very rarely know what it feels like to be tired these days AND IT IS AN AWESOME FEELING!
There was also a bit a sadness. When you are with new people that you bond with for a week there are always farewells that must be said. God brought absolutely delightful young people into my life this week. First, there was Jessica, my little hitch hiker I told you about. Then came the radiance and glow that shines from Linda’s sweet face. Linda was such a gift to our group because she was there early enough every morning to reserve seats for all of us close to the front. For that I am forever thankful. Angelica was the next gift God had all packaged up. She is just as her name depicts, angel like and free spirited and beautiful to behold. And we all received two additional lovely ladies from Singapore, Dawn and Estelle. What a delightful pair. The love of Jesus just shines from their very presence. It was awesome to be able to get to know them in the limited time we had to visit. God blessed me with this core group of ladies and I truly felt as if I was in a little family. My friends Lana and Tim were there also but they chose to sit in the back. I was able to connect with them some during some of the meal breaks. I brought my own lunch and dinner so as to save cost and for my own health reasons. We did however have the chance to get caught up a bit at the picnic table. My regret was that I didn’t have the opportunity to spend more time on the last day with them as I felt God wanted to me to spend time with a group of three young men who drove up from Los Angeles. I asked them to go out to dinner but they were fasting and chose not to eat. Instead, we sat under the trees outside and talked and shared. I wish I had asked them what their wisdom was but I forgot to do so. Time goes by so quickly and before I knew it, it was time to go back in for the next session.
We had an interesting session on Thursday. We were taken into the sanctuary that had been transformed from an auditorium to a Healing Room. Chairs were placed back to back in curving lines, artist were painting beautiful works for art as spiritual expressions of praise, dancers were dancing with flowing scarves and graceful movements, and a worship team was singing and playing musical instruments on the platform. The lights were low and peaceful. Groups of class members were brought into the room in groups of about 100 to experience the room for a half an hour or so to bask in the presence of the Lord, to view the artist at work, to sing and worship God and just soak in the presence of the Lord’s presence. It was a beautiful place to be. We were then directed to a room where a group of people prayed with each person individually. There were four who prayed for me. It is is wonderful that so many people (over 800) volunteer on a rotating schedule to come in and pray with people for healing.
It is a good thing I was able to write my blogs at night this week, except for yesterday’s, because so much information is jam packed in my brain that it is difficult to differentiate one day from the next.
I think the word of wisdom I will leave with you today is something the speaker Chris Gore quoted from a woman who spoke it at age 92 years of age. Her name was Mrs. Lindsey and she has since died. From what I gathered, she was a woman of prominence, a great spokeswoman, and one of importance in the what she did. Chris asked her for a word of wisdom and this is what she said: “Stay humble, stay low, give God all the glory.” Quite succinct. What we must remember when miracles happen is that it is not by our works, but it is the Lord’s work and power that performs the miracle. When we are to be a servant of the Lord we are to have a humble heart and ask how can best serve rather than coming into a situation exhibiting behavior that says “I know it all”.
This past week there was a message given by one of the many speakers. I can’t remember if I mentioned before what I am about to tell you. Sorry if it is a repeat. The minister was talking about how, when we ask, God will open our spiritual vision to new truths in His word. Truth that was already there but not understood or seen as one read the scriptures. When we ask God to open our hearts and minds to the truth He has in the scripture, God will do so. Sometimes when we do not see these revelations we are not ready to receive them. The more truth we see sometimes makes some things more difficult for us. When we are ready to receive God’s truths we should also ask for patience. When we ask for revelation we must be prepared for revelation, and the patience will help us work through what God is teaching us.
I am finding that to be so true in my life. God is opening the scriptures up to me in the past few years that I am just amazed I didn’t see, nor understand. Over and over this is happening. The more truths exposed to me, the more I learn, which often reveals convictions with which I must deal with in my life in order to grow from those truths. I looked back over some of my poems on my hard drive that I have with me and one poem stood out. I will put it here. It was written about a year ago but it says so clearly what the speaker was speaking this week. I would like to share it here. With these words I will sign off. God bless you!
Awaken the Vision of My Heart
By Kathleen Martens
April 30, 2014
Open my eyes Lord
That I may see
With vision of heart
The truths You depart.
Illumine Your word
So wisdom it brings
So the knowledge You give
With me forever lives.
Let me hear what You say
As I devour Your word,
Awaken my soul
That Your truths I know.
If I must suffer
With more knowledge received
That which I acquire
Replace with Your fire.
Awaken Your Word,
Burn it deep in my heart
That the sound of Your voice
Be my pages of choice.
For Your Holy Scripture
Lights the way of my path
To the place I belong
To bring others along.
Open my eyes Lord
That I may see
The lost ones You bring
To tell of my King.
My increased sorrow
Is turned to joy
As I toil long and steady
For a harvest that’s ready.
Give me wisdom and knowledge
Though it may mean more grief
Eternity is long,
Time on earth is brief.
Thursday May 21 2015 DAY 74 BONUS HOURS!
How awesome that the class schedule was not what I thought it was. Actually we were dismissed at 3:00 p.m. today and I do not have to report back until 6:55. The prayer room will be set up and every attendee will be prayed for individually. I am praying that my hands will be healed and my breast lumps will disappear.
Jessica, who I pick up and drop off each day came to the conference this morning. After she arrived in the packed room looking for me so she could sit next to me she realized how blurry everything was. She forgot to put her contacts in and did not have her glasses with her. She asked herself how could she do that. She felt the Lord impress upon her heart that it was because He was going to heal her vision today. Five years ago someone came to her church and prophesied over her (my paraphrase) saying that the Lord would one day heal her vision and she would see signs, wonders and miracles. That memory was brought to her recall and she again felt God impressing His word into her heart telling her that this was not only a physical restoration of her sight but would be restoration of her spiritual sight as to who He was and how He perceives her. There was more but I do not remember and do not want to misquote. During the first half hour worship session (remember, they are out of this world) her vision cleared and she can now see both near and far without needing glasses. Her eyes even looked different. Perhaps because I am used to seeing her with contacts or glasses. Needless to say, that was amazing to her and those around her. There have been many testimonies of healing taking place. I am ready to have a testimony. I could even go for my eyes being healed, especially the dryness! I’ll add that to my list. God is the God of miracles and what He starts, He completes.
The speakers today were awesome. All the speakers have been awesome but today clinched it for me, confirming that I need to hear it all again and so I decided I will buy the download of this week’s speakers. I just hope I will know how to upload (or download?) it onto my computer. I would much rather have CD’s so I could listen in the car.
So much is spoken by the speakers at each session that it makes it difficult to take accurate and thorough notes. Though I try I am certain a lot gets left out or incorrectly written. I’ll share a couple of highlights of today. A beautiful statement that stood out is “Miracles are an extension of worship. The proper response to miracles is PRAISE. When someone gets healed it is a song from the Lord. It draws people into praise”. I love “it is a song from the Lord”. The song I heard from the Lord when my ears were healed was the song that went into my heart when I first heard birds again. I hadn’t heard birds for many years except an occasional crow. I have a poem I wrote about that. When I find it I will print it in the blog. I think it is in the trunk of my car in a place that is difficult to get to. If I have time I’ll do it today. Our praise opens the heavens to increase more healing power. This class teaches us that our assignment is to release worship across the nations. “Our role is not to try to do God’s job for Him. Our job is simply to come to Him, recognize who He is, and to get out of the way. We are to take our eyes off the problem and put our eyes on the One who IS THE SOLUTION. Our worship is in intimate fellowship, not on the problem or illness at hand. Healing is not what God has to do, but healing is what He IS. WHEN HE IS PRESENT, SO IS HIS HEALING PRESENT.”
There is so much more but these sentences were interesting to me and thought you might enjoy seeing what we are learning. It is a very hands-on intense teaching. Some of the classes are so packed with information that it would not be possible to share just bits and snippits because it all builds on each sentence and explanation. That is why I will buy the download. So many wonderful scriptures to back up what is being taught. One of my favorite sentences that was in this last session today was: “FAITH IS NOT IGNORANT OF REALITY. IT JUST DEFIES IT!” (My exclamation point!) I have lots to study when I arrive home. I took careful notes and when I have the access to the messages again I should be able to comprehend and understand even more. I feel so honored to be able to attend these sessions. I would love to come back again with Dave. I highly recommend a trip to Bethel Redding for the Healing Classes.
Well, I think this will be my blog today. Tomorrow is an earlier day and a long one. Perhaps I’ll get to bed before 1:30 a.m. like last night.
I must get ready to leave for my healing time.
This week has passed all too quickly!!!
Saturday May 16, 2015 DAY 70 ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
I love being wherever I am when I am visiting friends and relatives…HOWEVER…I love just being on the road again. Today’s drive was short and sweet, about 3 hours or so. The entire way was blissful, quiet solitude. No radio, no CD’s, no listening to sermons. I did talk on the phone a few times trying to catch up on friends. Usually short and sweet because my car phone (no hands or visual needed) does not sound clear when I am moving on the highway. Too much tire noise comes through the speaker. I can hear the person I’m speaking to but they have difficulty hearing me. So the drive was mostly just the Lord and myself. I love the driving. Just wish I was the only one on the road so I wouldn’t have to keep my eye on the road. Too much to see!
Left Paulette’s house after 12:00 noon and went by the gym where I have been working out this past week. The young man I talked to three days ago told me he had a gift for me. He gave me a St. Christopher’s medallion that his Grandmother gave to him. I was touched in my heart. He wanted me to have it so I would have a safe trip. I accepted his gift with great humbleness in accepting something so carefully and purposely given that hand sentimental value as well. I told him Thank You. I expressed how much I do believe Jesus is watching over me and protecting me and that his gift would remind me that there is someone else praying along with me for my safe travels. I promised to send it back to him when I reached home. That is the only way I would accept it. This way he would know I was home safe and sound. Thank you Todd for our kindness to me. Tod also had another gift left there for me from the young lady I spoke with a couple of days ago. What a lovely card and variety of travel goodies she packaged up for me. How is it that people are so kind and thoughtful to someone they’ve only met once? I feel that is just God blessing me through the kindness of others and filling me with even more joy.
Included in my goody bag were 6 CD’s of various things from Bethel Church. Bethel Church is the one I will be taking the class at this next week. Included also was 5 packets of Eletro Mix which I have not yet tried. There were two bags of nuts, macadamia and a bag with a mix of walnuts, pecans, and almonds. Corrisa, the giver of this gift is pretty insightful as to what it is I would love to have. I also received an Herbalife “Formula 1 + PDM on the Go”. Can’t wait to try it! Also in the bad were two packets of H30 along with three samples from YOUNG LIVING, ESSENTIAL OILS. All total, this is one of the most needed and purposeful gifts I have received. Thank you Corrisa. Let me know if you read this.
Back to departing from Paulette’s. Paulette talked me into taking EVERYTHING out of my car and starting over with a clean slate. I was reluctant and after we did, I sure was glad it was finished. Still didn’t find the toothpaste I thought I packed. When I say we took everything out , I mean EVERYTHING! I ended up sending two boxes of books home with a few articles of clothing squished inside the boxes. It seems like a lot of my things get squished! I did feel better after it was all done even though I was traveling such a short distance only to unload everything once more. I have two buried compartments in my car and now I won’t need anything from them for awhile.
I arrived at my cousin’s (First cousin once removed) home where she lives and her mother lives with her. Her mother Joyce is my first cousin. Our mothers are sisters. They would still be sisters if they were alive that is. I prefer to speak of them as in the present tense because in the presence in which they live, they are both alive, still sisters, just living in a different place, Heaven.
What a joyous greeting when we arrived. Sitting on the table in the dining room is a beautiful bouquet with red roses stuck here and there in the bouquet. Joy said she bought them just for me. I think she know how much I love roses. So exciting to see my cousin Daneece’s home for the first time. It is beautiful, spacious, and purposeful. I have a lovely room all to myself. My bed is an airbed with a foam mattress-like covering over it. Right about now I would like to be in it. Up too late again and in the morning we are going to early service at Bethel Church here in Redding, California. I am excited to register on Monday for the class that I am already registered for. We register after 3:00 p.m. on Monday and the first session is Monday evening at 7:00 a.m.
The rest of the weekdays begin at 10:00 a.m. and closes about 9:00 p.m. This will be my first class at Bethel. I’ll write more about the class after I take it a few days. I’m getting excited to learn what they are going to teach.
We had a delicious dinner tonight. Salad, cherries, fresh bread and chicken. Joyce was so kind by asking what kind of foods I liked to eat. She had practically everything I put on the list. I was just giving her ideas, I certainly didn’t expect for her to go out and buy it all. Both ladies were tired tonight so I just searched the fridge, designed a dinner and had it ready in just a few minutes. It is such a pleasure again to put my hands on real food and prep it and prepare a delicious dinner. So simple, yet so enjoyable for me to do. More enjoyable on the trip because I am not doing it every single day. Yet, when I am home I still have the same thrill when it comes to working with, touching, smelling, and visual sensations I receive when working with raw foods. I love them all. Joyce still thinks I eat weird!
I sure can write a lot when absolutely nothing has really happened today. But inside me a lot happened. I received such beautiful thoughtful gifts, I received a warm, warm welcome from both cousins, (mother and daughter), a refrigerator full of delicious foods I love (including a whole rotisserie chicken ready to eat), a beautiful bouquet of red roses, a front row seat to the the most beautiful hummingbird show, and a wonderful new friend named Nickie (not certain of the spelling” or even exactly what Nickie really is. He feels like a cat, sort of looks like a dog, and is the strangest little critter I’ve seen that claims to be a dog (at least my cousins believe he is a dog). Can’t remember the breed but he has a calling. That calling is to be used on ships to catch rats. I’ll find out more tomorrow when everyone wakes up.
Thanks for listening. It was an interesting day for me. Oh yes, cousin Daneece is 8 weeks post knee replacement and is still suffering much. If you have good knees you need to get on them and give thanks to the Lord that you have healthy knees. I hope I can pamper both Joyce and Daneece while I am here. I love being here in their home. It is an honor to stay with so many of our friends and family.
Too tired to proof read this evening as it is 10:44 p.m and I need to go to bed. Enjoy all my TYPOS!
Good night
P.S. I forgot to ask anyone for wisdom today so I’ll give some from my on experience. “Don’t stay up this late to write a blog because you will be tired in the morning.” Now it is 10:54 (But at least my teeth are already brushed)!
Visions of Poetry 