Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Cousin Time

Cousin Time
As  always, the Weldon's love cousin time.  This year, we will not be able to make our annual Wenger Camp out with all of my family.  We are sad and I am already going into withdrawal from missing my family. :-)  So, my brother eased the pain by sending his two boys for a visit this last week.  I think my nephews
The Boys Swim-Up Bar
and nieces are such incredible people and these two guys are no exception.  We enjoyed lots of swim time as it's so hot in Arizona right now.  I think the boys went through six cartons of juice in three days . . . it's just the beginning of those teen years.  :-)

My nephew's voice was so low and manly that I could not understand him half the time.  I remember when he and Destiny used to sit as toddlers on grandpa and grandma's porch swing and now . . .  the years go so fast!

As we knelt beside the boys and prayed over them before they left on the airplane today, I was touched by who God is in them.  I could see his attributes and character displayed through the gentle, strong, silly, fun young men they are becoming and I am moved.
Stealth Roof Hunters
 Sometimes I get so caught up in life I forget to enjoy the "moments" but the moments are indeed what I live for.  The "moments" I enjoyed this weekend were asking silly life questions and telling a few family memories, playing  ball in the pool and Auntie being killer defense over Judah :-), huge bowls of ice-cream with laughter before bed, teasing Joshua, cozy late night movies, the delight of Arizona Mexican food shared together around a common table and a lingering hug.  These are moments I live for that make life so much richer.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Mordecai

For the last while I have been thinking about the Biblical character Mordecai from the book of Esther.  I love the book of Esther.  Early in childhood it became one of my favorite Bible stories and Queen Esther, one of my favorite characters.  I love to ponder the phrase, "for such a time as this" and think about the greatness inside of me, like that of Esther.  But in this last season, Esther has not been my focus but instead her Uncle Mordecai.

Cousins
This weekend my nephews are here and I am getting used to hearing the name, "Aunt Nita" again.  I have 17 nieces and nephews and adore them all!  Sometimes as family, we discuss if  husband and I die, where my children will go and if my brother's die where their children will go. My children seem to find comfort in the fact that if anything happens to me they will go to their grandparents and their grandparents will "adopt" them out to their Uncle's if needed.  This is indeed what happened to Queen Esther.  Her parents both died and she was adopted by her Uncle Mordecai.

In the last month + I have had the pleasure of sitting in the presence of some great "Mordecai's".  I will just be sitting, listening, minding my own business and all at once the Spirit of God will whisper in my ear that this person is a "Mordecai" and a deep reverence will come over me and I will be touched by the call of God on their life.  One of my friends is currently in the Middle East, ministering in a large refugee camp and putting on a fashion show with designer dressed for girls who have been
Middle East Love
violated by ISIS (we know this is no small mission as recently 19 girls were burned alive in cages for refusing to having sex with ISIS captors).  These dresses have prophetic prayers, decrees and symbolism upon them, like "Purity".  Then they adorn the girls with these dresses for a refugee fashion show and declare what God has said over these ladies.  But wait it gets better -  women who have been violated and rescued out of sex trafficking, made gifts to send to the Middle East and shared their testimonies of God's redemptive work in their lives. Wow!   My friend is a Mordecai.  In her personal life she has rescued babies and children from the hands of sex traffickers, and now is in the Middle East standing opposed to the spirit of Haman (ISIS) and is fighting for an entire people group and nation to be delivered and come into their destiny.

 You see, Mordecai was a great man!  He rescued the orphan, feared God, would not bow to the demonic spirit operating through Haman, was faithful and stewarded the call of God on his life, was incredibly humble, interceded to save the Jewish nation, and rose to greatness!

Some of the things that have made me stop and take notice of Mordecai are . . .

1.  Walked in True Religion - I think Mordecai understood what true religion was.  He carried out the Biblical admonition of "True Religion".
Ten Talents International

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  ~ James 1:27

Mordecai looked after the orphan, Esther and feared God - kept himself from being polluted by the world system of his day.
Ten Talents International

2.  Stewarded the call of God on his life.  He was called to care for Esther and groom her for "such a time as this".  The Bible says that he daily walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to see how Esther was and what was happening in her life.  He did not just let Esther be taken into the King's palace and then abdicate his responsibility.  No, he followed through and "daily" would check in on her to see how she was doing, send her messages, etc.  There are Esther's who are called to incredible power and will save nations, but they need Mordecai's in their life to rescue them, love them, counsel them and disciple them into their call.

3.  He would not kneel or pay honor to Haman (Esther 3:2).  There was such a fear of God in Mordecai's life, where he cared more about what God said or felt than anyone else.  This kept him from bowing down to the wicked Haman.  A friend told me recently that she saw Haman in the Bible representing the same demonic spirit that ISIS rules with today.  I wholeheartedly agree!  The wicked, demonic spirit of genocide that ravishes through ISIS is trying to take out entire people groups and Believers in Christ BUT God is raising up Mordecai's in this hour, who do not fear ISIS or fear for their lives, but are going into the enemies camp "stealth".  God will release supernatural turnarounds for them.  Just like when Haman built the gallows to hang Mordecai on and then those exact gallows were the instrument of his death (Esther 7:10).

4.  Mordecai did not try to hide who he was.  Mordecai told the Royal
Officials at the King's gate that he was a Jew (Esther 3:4).  People did not have to guess where Mordecai's allegiance lay.  He was a devout follower of God and devoted to his people.   He did not fear what men would think of him or the ridicule he could receive if he divulged who he was, as an exiled Jew.  No, in the face of rejection, ridicule, and even possible death - he stood fearlessly in his identity. It's really hard to take down a spirit of Haman when you don't know who you are.   God is looking for Mordecia's in this hour who are rooted in Him and know who they are.  They are secure in their Identity as Sons and Daughters of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

5.  Humble Man (Esther 4:1) - Mordecai tore his robes, put on sackcloth and ashes, wailed loudly and bitterly and went into the city and as far as the King's gate with his wailing.  He also carried out all of Esther's instructions (Esther 4:17).  It takes a person of great character to be able to humble themselves in such an abasement such as Mordecai showing intense grief and distress.
 Mordecai also allowed the tables to be reversed and instead of giving instructions to Esther, he took them from her.  This was a humble man.  Not looking for power, position or platform.  He would do what it took to intercede for a nation, stand on behalf of change and see the tide turned.  And as a result, God raised him up (1 Peter 5:6).

6.  Positioned for Greatness (Esther 10) - Mordecai was promoted to second in rank to the king of the land and the Bible speaks in Esther 10:2 of the GREATNESS of Mordecai - one who cared for the welfare of others . . . True Religion (always carries us out of our comfort zone and into God's grace)!


Maybe some of you reading this blog post know a Mordecai.  Maybe some of you ARE a Mordecai.  God is grooming you or about to catapult you into greatness because there is a call on your life to save nations, people groups, end genocide, rescue orphans, change laws, not bow to ungodly perverse spirits, etc.  Let me admonish you, if you are a Mordecai,  "Go Low"!  Walk in humility, the fear of the Lord, true religion and allow God to promote you.  You are needed now!  The nations of the earth are groaning for
YOU, the Sons and Daughters of God to be revealed.  Begin to intercede for who and what God is putting on your heart.  Be free from a religious spirit that operate under the law and not true religion, that is close to the heart of God.  Find out what God loves and where His heart is beating and this will give you perspective for the call of God on your life.  You were made for Greatness!  God wants to put you in places of authority over nations like Joseph and Mordecai.  I say, Mordecai's arise for such a time as this - there are Esther's to be groomed, nations to be saved and kings need your wisdom!

Friday, June 24, 2016

Staycation


Love Language Posters
Ahhh!  Yes, I had a little of that eight letter word recently . . . VACATION!  We have been going solid for months, and needed a few days of down time.  So, we cleared our schedule, didn't answer our phones and had what our friends Dav & Laura call a "staycation".  We stayed in the area - actually very close to home - our guest house. :-) Ha!   We did not work and had quality family time. I often am asked if I just love living out in the country where it's so beautiful and enjoying my home - I usually answer "I would if I had time".  So, this past week, we made time.

 One of the things we did with the kids were personality/love language profiles  (Gary Chapman) and flag Pages (Mark Gungor).  It was super fun to discover our love languages and were surprised by some we thought we had that were
actually pretty low on the list.  Then we practiced serving each other with our top love language.  For Destiny, John and I, the  language that speaks love to us the most, is quality time, so a vacation together was prime - swimming in the moonlight and curled up watching movies till late at night - great quality time.  Simeon on the other hand was gifts and so we all rallied gifts that we found among our things to give him.  The gift bags included things like chap-stick, dollar bills, stones, pocket knife, etc.  He loved it!  :-)  At the end of our time "away", hubby John commented that he thought it was one of his favorite family times.  Smile ~ Sigh . . .

Saturday, June 4, 2016

Women on the Frontlines 2016

WOLF Registration Team
Partner Desk
Team Buddies
Women In Ministry - Team Elizabeth
This past weekend I served at Women on the Frontlines World Convention.  For years I have either web-casted the event, attended in person, or purchased the CD packs.  So, this year, it was very different being "inside" the event and serving.  I helped out with partners and  registration/events.  I missed a lot of the event due to helping guests but what I was able to take in was great as always.
Destiny & Nita Sharing
Patricia & Destiny
This year a highlight for me, was speaking at the event, a bit about what Destiny and I as mother daughter are doing in our community.  I shared about a non-profit I am working on starting (markedforgreatness.org) this fall and Destiny had the crowd in tears as she shared the simple ways she was listening to Jesus and reaching her community.  Then Patricia asked
Destiny to pray over the event - it was priceless - as she rocked the heart of God for the crowd!  Being on TV and in front of a viewing audience of thousands, I was amazed at Destiny's self confidence.  She was a natural. :-)

Our Cambodia Friends
Thank You Jesus For Your Healing!
Another super cool happening for me at the event was partnering with God for a wonderful healing for this lady pictured.  She was    obviously having a rough time standing (Fibromalgia) when I felt like Holy Spirit highlighted her and asked me to pray for her healing. He did the rest - she was healed and had both of us in tears!

Inspiration Key Necklace

And lastly, I was thrilled that Destiny was able to meet (on several occasions) one of our Heroes of the Faith, Heidi Baker.  She had a hotel room by ours and her and Destiny kept running into each other.  Destiny shared with her how she was such an inspiration to her and gave her a key necklace from "the giving keys" that stood for "Inspiration".    Heidi was so touched (or gracious) that she wore it that night to preach on stage.  They also prayed together on one of their meeting  - and Heidi's assistant took pictures.  Super sweet!  Destiny was so stoked to meet her.

Heidi & Destiny - true Women of Faith