Next semester classes!

I am so excited for next semester already. Here is the lineup for the classes I will be taking:

FMA practicum with Pablo Perez
Sermon on the Mount with Sarah Sun Kim
theology of 24/7 Worship with Stephen Venable
Mike Bickle's class
Harp and bowl worship team


PUMPED!!

November newsletter

In my Beholding His Majesty class we have been studying attributes of God. We are reading A.W. Tozer’s book “Attributes of God, volumes 1& 2” while also having a teaching on attributes of God and the “Beholding” aspect with a combination of contemplative meditation. 

I really enjoy reading any of Tozer’s writings; the Lord has given him experiential wisdom. Plus he writes in a way I understand. J Between the 2 volumes Tozer goes through 20 attribures of God. SOOO good, I recommend you read it! Everything rises and falls on the knowledge of God. According to the revelation of God’s nature and person in our lives so will be our worship. Tozer writes in the preface, “It is utterly necessary that we know this God, this One that John wrote about…this One that theology talks about and this One that we’re sent to preach and teach about. It is absolutely, utterly and critically necessary that we know this One, for you see, man fell when he lost his right concept of God (3, The Attributes of God, v I).”

In my Life of David class, we are reading Mike Bickle’s After God’s Own Heart. It is all about, like David, going after God’s own heart and what that means and what it looks like by looking through the life of David. It is so good! Mike Bickle has spent some time meditating on this stuff, you can tell.  My heart has been growing and yearning to have this type of heart as I’ve been reading it. It is so encouraging and equipping! Mike wants to encourage people that we can go hard after God too. I have been getting a lot of revelation about the life of David just reading it. Its helped me gain comprehensive understanding and of the life of David. David’s life is so powerful, there is so much detail that I have just read over in the past.

The Attributes of God: Volume 1- A Journey Into the Father’s Heart; Volume 2- Deeper Into the Father’s Heart; A.W. Tozer 2007 $16 each (there is a study guide with them)

ISBN:

V1:978-1-60066-129-7; V2:978-1-60066-138-9

After God’s own Heart; Mike Bickle; 2004, Christian Life/Biblical teaching

ISBN:978-1-59979-530-0

I mentioned in my last newsletter that the IHOP community went on a 21-day fast (some are going until 11/11/11). It was a really good fast, meaning I really wanted to do this fast. In fact many people felt this way! That is only by the power of the Holy Spirit! J During this time the Lord gave me a lot of dreams, and I realized again that God can speak through dreams and often does. So I decided to take my dreams more seriously-testing them of course- and I am learning how to dialogue with the Lord about them…still learning! J  Through some dreams He’s shown me how to pray about some things. I like dreams a lot! J

During the fast I was asking for breakthrough, for healing/fire anointing –not completely sure what that means, but He’s got it and I want it!- & knowledge & love of God. He pulled through! He brought up some stuff, man!

The Lord is still doing things in me and bringing up areas to burn with His fire of love, so nothing will 

hinder love. PTL!!

FELLOWSHIP prayer

This isn't mine, its Mike Bickle but his copyright is the right to copy so... I was praying this this morning, its really good, and it takes time but already my heart is realigning with God. This is an acronym to FELLOWSHIP, you can get it off his website to: mikebickle.org

Here's a short version, look below this for more depth: 

F-fear of God

E-Endurance

L-love

L- light of glory (Ex. 33:18)

O-Onething life focus (Lk 10:42; Ps. 27:4)

W-count me worthy (2 Thes. 1:11)

S-speech

H- humility

I- insight with intimacy (wisdom)

P- peace and joy

II. TEN PRAYERS TO RECEIVE STRENGTH IN THE INNER MAN: F-E-L-L-O-W-S-H-I-P   

16 

 To be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man… (Eph. 3:16)  

A. F- Fear of God: Father, release the spirit of the fear of God into my heart. Release the lightning 

and thunder from Your Throne to strike my heart (Rev. 4:5) with Your majesty, that I might live 

in awe before You. Release Your presence and holy dread that makes me tremble before You. 

Unite my heart to your heart and Word and cause me to delight in the fear of God. 

40 

 I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. (Jer. 32:40)  

13 

 The Lord…you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. (Isa. 8:13)  

11 

Unite my heart (to Your heart and Word) to fear Your name. (Ps. 86:11)  

3 

 His delight is in the fear of the LORD… (Isa. 11:3)  

B. E- Endurance (patience): Father, strengthen my spirit with endurance that I may do Your will 

with zeal and diligence and that I not quit pursuing the deep things of God. Impart endurance for 

fasting. Direct my heart into the endurance in which Jesus walked. This is a prayer for strength to 

follow through in my commitments to God and to fulfill my ministry calling when it is difficult.  

11 

Being strengthened with all power…may have great endurance and patience… (Col. 1:11 NIV) 

5 

 May the Lord direct your hearts into…the patience (endurance) of Christ. (2 Thes. 3:5)  

1. It takes the power of God to not quit. If you do not quit in your fervent pursuit you win.  

17 

 It was written, "Zeal for Thy house will consume me (Jesus)." (Jn. 2:17, NAS)  

9 

 Zeal for Your house has eaten me (David) up…10 I wept and chastened my soul with 

fasting that became my reproach. 11 I made sackcloth my garment… (Ps. 69:9-11)  

2. Lord, give me Your zeal as You gave it to Phineas.  

11 

 Phinehas…was zealous with My zeal among them… (Num. 25:11)  

C. L- Love: Father, pour out Your love into my heart by releasing the influences of the Spirit to give 

me revelation of Your love for me, that it may overflow in love back to You and to others.  

5 

 The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit... (Rom. 5:5)  

9 

 I pray, that your love may abound still more…in knowledge and all discernment. (Phil. 1:9)  

5 

 May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God… (2 Thes. 3:5)  

6 

 Set Me (Jesus) as a seal on your heart…for love is as strong as death…its flames are flames 

of fire…7 Many waters cannot quench love, nor can floods drown it. (Song 8:6-7)  

1. Father, impart Your love for Jesus in my heart (Jn. 17:26). I agree with Jesus’ prophecy 

(Mt. 22:37) to receive grace to love God with all my heart and soul and mind.  

26 

 …That the love with which You loved Me may be in them… (Jn. 17:26)  

37 

 You shall love the Lord…with all your heart…soul…and mind. (Mt. 22:37)  

2. Father, allow me to comprehend Jesus’ love for me and to abide in it (stay connect to it).  

18 

 That you…may be able to comprehend…what is the width and length and depth and 

height…19 to know (experience) the love (affection) of Christ… (Eph. 3:18-19)  

9 

 As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. (Jn. 15:9)  

3. Let me see and love myself through Your eyes. Thank you for who I am to You.  

13 

 You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise 

You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my 

soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in 

secret, and skillfully wrought… (Ps. 139:13-15)  

4. Father, “I agree with Jesus’ command and prophecy in Mt. 22:39 that I will love others.” 

Let me abound in love by seeing what You see and feeling what You feel about others.  

39 

 …You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Mt. 22:39)  

12 

 May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another… (1 Thes. 3:12)  

D. L- Light of glory: Father, let me see the light of Your glory or to encounter the “glory realm”. 

Give me Holy Spirit encounters (dreams, visions, angelic visitations, manifestations of light, fire, 

wind) as You gave to Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel and John (Ex. 33; 34:29-30; Isa. 6; Ezek. 1; Rev. 1).   

6 

 A great light from heaven shone around me…8 He said to me, “I am Jesus of Nazareth…” 

11 I could not see for the glory of that light…I came to Damascus. (Acts 22:6-11)  

18 

 And he (Moses) said, "Please, show me Your glory." (Ex. 33:18)  

6 

 Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. (Ps. 4:6)  

16 

 His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. (Rev. 1:16)  

3 

 Send out Your light and truth! Let them lead me…bring me to Your holy hill… (Ps. 43:3)  

3 

 Restore us, O God; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved! (Ps. 80:3)  

51 

 You shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending… (Jn. 1:51) 

17 

 I pray, open his eyes that he may see. Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young 

man…the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kgs. 6:17) 

E. O- One thing life focus: Father, strengthen me to maintain a life in Your word with desire for it. 

When I lose this focus, send Your word to deliver me as You did for the saints at Ephesus, Sardis 

and Laodicea (Rev. 2:4-5; 3:1-3; 3:15-20). Alert me when I need to recommit my schedule and 

priorities to live as a person of one thing who regularly sits at Your feet, as Mary of Bethany did. 

Busyness, guilt and despair cause fervent believers to drift from their fervency.  

42 

 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part… (Lk. 10:42)  

4 

 One thing I have desired…all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord. (Ps. 27:4)  

8 

 I have set the Lord always before me…He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. (Ps. 16:8) 

F. W- Count me worthy (faithfulness unto fullness): Father, strengthen me to walk in a way that 

You would consider me worthy to walk in my highest calling and escape all compromise that I 

might stand before You victorious in full obedience.  

11 

 We pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all 

the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power… (2 Thes. 1:11)  

36 

 Watch…and pray always that you may be counted worthy (prepared) to escape all these 

things (sins of v. 34)…to stand (in victory) before the Son of Man. (Lk. 21:36)  

1. No one is “worthy” to receive forgiveness which is a free gift because of Jesus’ 

worthiness. Rather, we are to have a worthy response to God by living free of 

compromise, thus prepared or worthy to walk in the fullness of our calling. 

2. The opposite of having a worthy response is to waste or receive God’s grace in vain.  

1 

 We…plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. (2 Cor. 6:1)  

3. Help keep me free of compromise that I would walk blameless body, soul and spirit.  

23 

 May the God of peace sanctify you completely; may your spirit, soul, and body be 

preserved blameless (without compromise) at the coming of our Lord… (1 Thes. 5:23)  

13 

 That He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before God… (1 Thes. 3:13)  

4. We agree with David’s prayers to walk in purity.  

10 

 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me. (Ps. 51:10)  

17 

 Your people…offer willingly to You. 18 O LORD…keep this forever in the intent of 

the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You. 19 And give 

my son Solomon a loyal heart to keep Your commandments… (1 Chr 29:17-19)  

1 

 Save me, O God! The waters have come up to my neck. 2 I sink in deep mire, where there 

is no standing; I have come into deep waters…the floods overflow me. (Ps. 69:1-2)  

5. We agree with David’s holy resolve to set nothing impure before his eyes.  

3 

 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes… (Ps. 101:3) 

1 

 I have made a covenant with my eyes; why should I look on a woman? (Job 31:1)  

6. Lead me from the storm of temptation, rescue me from its deep waters, and cleanse me 

from secret faults (Ps. 19:12; 69:1-2). Search me and show me my heart (Ps. 139:23).  

13 

 Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Mt. 6:13)  

15 

 That You should keep them from the evil one. (Jn. 17:15) 

12 

 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret (unperceived) faults. (Ps. 19:12)  

23 

 Search me, O God, and know (reveal) my heart; try me, and know my anxieties…  

(Ps. 139:23)  

G. S- Speech: Father, set a guard over my lips. Free me from defensive, angry and foolish speech (Eph. 

4:29; 5:4). Sustained communion with God requires restrained conversation with man.  

2 

 If one does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body. (Jas. 3:2)  

3 

 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. (Ps. 141:3)  

14 

 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable... (Ps. 19:14)  

1. The Spirit is quenched in our life by unwholesome speech (filthy, foolish, coarse jesting).   

29 

 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary 

edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit… 

5:4 

 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting… 

(Eph. 4:29-5:4)  

2. I set my heart to not sin with my speech (Ps. 17:3; 39:1). 

3 

 I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. (Ps. 17:3)  

1 

 I said, "I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with 

a muzzle, while the wicked are before me." (Ps 39:1)  

H. H- Humility: Jesus, I want to learn from You how to walk in lowliness. I commit to take Your 

yoke of humility (lowliness of heart) on my life in my attitudes, speech, and actions. Give me 

wisdom on how to carry my heart in humility. 

29 

 Take My yoke…and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart… (Mt. 11:29) 

3 

 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem 

others better than himself…5 Let this mind be in you which was in Christ… (Phil. 2:3-5)  

I. I- Insight unto intimacy (wisdom): Father give me insight into Your Word, will, and ways. Give 

me wisdom on how to live before You that I may walk in intimacy (union) with You.  

17 

 May give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him… (Eph. 1:17)  

9 

 Ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual 

understanding; 10 that you may have a walk worthy of the Lord… (Col. 1:9-10)  

1. Father, “Give me insight that I may walk under the Spirit’s leadership that we may 

partner together in every issue in my life including my finances, schedule, emotions, 

circumstances, physical body (diet, health), relationships (in the home, office, ministry), 

my future, fears, addictions, etc. Give me new ideas in each area of my life”.  

26 

 The Holy Spirit…will teach you all things... (Jn. 14:26)  

2. Father, I long to walk in the fullness of Your will in every area of my life.   

12 

 Epaphras…always laboring fervently for you in prayers that you may stand perfect 

and complete in all the will of God. (Col. 4:12)  

3. Let me know the secrets of Your heart (Ps. 25:14). What are You thinking and feeling?  

4 

 Show me Your ways…teach me Your paths. 5 Lead me in Your truth…14 The secret 

of the LORD is with those who fear Him… (Ps. 25:4-5, 14)  

4. We ask for the Spirit’s insight into God’s end-time purposes (Dan. 11:35; 12:10), 

eternity, the New Jerusalem, the judgment seat of Christ, and hell.  

13 

 The Spirit…will guide you into all truth; He will tell you things to come. (Jn. 16:13)  

22 

 O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. (Dan. 9:22)  

20 

 The anger of the LORD (end-time judgments) will not turn back until He has 

executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days you will 

understand it perfectly. (Jer. 23:20)  

J. P- Peace and Joy: Father, strengthen my heart with supernatural peace and joy that overpowers 

fear and anxiety that I would not sin. Sin grows fastest when fear or anxiety works strongly in us.  

7 

 The peace of God…will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:7) 

13 

 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound 

in hope (confidence) by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:13)  

16 

 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. (2 Thes. 3:16)  

Back to school, top 10 IHOP songs

Hello! I'm back on the grid!
I had an excellent summer in Utah with my family and now I'm back at IHOPU. Things are a little crazy, but good. I'm in transition.
Anyways I thought I'd make a top 10 list. This list is about my top 10 IHOP songs that have impacted me recently [past couple years] (most of IHOP's music has been hitting me so I have to limit myself to 10; this is also subtracting oracles)

1. Dove's eyes (revolutionized "worship time" when I first heard it years ago)
2. Baptize my heart (all of misty's songs really)
3. Strong Love (All of Jon thurlow)
4. Only One (brandon Hampton)check this out!
5. all of the Joy cd
6. Lord I know you love me- Jon Thurlow
7. Dark but Lovely (sarah Edwards)
8. Shekinah Glory
9. Justin Rizzo's songs/sets
10. And this song by Jaye thomas (don't know the title but here are the lyrics- AWESOME!
I believe you move at the sound of my voice, I believe yo move at the sound of my voice, I believe you move at the sound of my voice, I believe you move at the sound of my voice.You heard my cry, and you answered me.You heard my cry, and you answered me.I love the Lord, for He heard heard my cry, He delivered me, I love the Lord, for He heard heard my cry, He delivered me, I love the Lord, for He heard heard my cry, He delivered me, from my fears.
You lifted me up, higher and higher.
So shall I be saved from my enemies.
You are the great deliver, you are the great deliver, you are the great deliver of my soul.

soooo excellent!

but really everyone here is so good and talented and they love the Lord. They give everything for the Lord.
I'm inspired!

Song of Solomn

OH MY! This is by St. John of the Cross, and I HAVE to share it with you. All of his stuff is good!! This is his version of Song of Solomon. Check it out!
SONG OF THE SOUL AND THE BRIDEGROOM
I
THE BRIDE
Where hast Thou hidden Thyself,
And abandoned me in my groaning, O my Beloved?
Thou hast fled like the hart,
Having wounded me.
I ran after Thee, crying; but Thou wert gone.
II
O shepherds, you who go
Through the sheepcots up the hill,
If you shall see Him
Whom I love the most,
Tell Him I languish, suffer, and die.
III
In search of my Love
I will go over mountains and strands;
I will gather no flowers,
I will fear no wild beasts;
And pass by the mighty and the frontiers.
IV
O groves and thickets
Planted by the hand of the Beloved;
O verdant meads
Enamelled with flowers,
Tell me, has He passed by you?
V
ANSWER OF THE CREATURES
A thousand graces diffusing
He passed through the groves in haste,
And merely regarding them
As He passed
Clothed them with His beauty.
VI
THE BRIDE
Oh! who can heal me?
Give me at once Thyself,
Send me no more
A messenger
Who cannot tell me what I wish.
VII
All they who serve are telling me
Of Thy unnumbered graces;
And all wound me more and more,
And something leaves me dying,
I know not what, of which they are darkly speaking.
VIII
But how thou perseverest, O life,
Not living where thou livest;
The arrows bring death
Which thou receivest
From thy conceptions of the Beloved.
IX
Why, after wounding
This heart, hast Thou not healed it?
And why, after stealing it,
Hast Thou thus abandoned it,
And not carried away the stolen prey?
X
Quench Thou my troubles,
For no one else can soothe them;
And let mine eyes behold Thee,
For thou art their light,
And I will keep them for Thee alone.
XI
Reveal Thy presence,
And let the vision and Thy beauty kill me,
Behold the malady
Of love is incurable
Except in Thy presence and before Thy face.
XII
O crystal well!
Oh that on Thy silvered surface
Thou wouldest mirror forth at once
Those eyes desired
Which are outlined in my heart!
XIII
Turn them away, O my Beloved!
I am on the wing:

THE BRIDEGROOM
Return, My Dove!
The wounded hart
Looms on the hill
In the air of thy flight and is refreshed.
XIV
My Beloved is the mountains,
The solitary wooded valleys,
The strange islands,
The roaring torrents,
The whisper of the amorous gales;
XV
The tranquil night
At the approaches of the dawn,
The silent music,
The murmuring solitude,
The supper which revives, and enkindles love.
XVI
Catch us the foxes,
For our vineyard hath flourished;
While of roses
We make a nosegay,
And let no one appear on the hill.
XVII
O killing north wind, cease!
Come, south wind, that awakenest love!
Blow through my garden,
And let its odours flow,
And the Beloved shall feed among the flowers.
XVIII
O nymphs of Judea!
While amid the flowers and the rose-trees
The amber sends forth its perfume,
Tarry in the suburbs,
And touch not our thresholds.
XIX
Hide thyself, O my Beloved!
Turn Thy face to the mountains,
Do not speak,
But regard the companions
Of her who is travelling amidst strange islands.
XX
THE BRIDEGROOM
Light-winged birds,
Lions, fawns, bounding does,
Mountains, valleys, strands,
Waters, winds, heat,
And the terrors that keep watch by night;
XXI
By the soft lyres
And the siren strains, I adjure you,
Let your fury cease,
And touch not the wall,
That the bride may sleep in greater security.
XXII
The bride has entered
The pleasant and desirable garden,
And there reposes to her heart's content;
Her neck reclining
On the sweet arms of the Beloved.
XXIII
Beneath the apple-tree
There wert thou betrothed;
There I gave thee My hand,
And thou wert redeemed
Where thy mother was corrupted.
XXIV
THE BRIDE
Our bed is of flowers
By dens of lions encompassed,
Hung with purple,
Made in peace,
And crowned with a thousand shields of gold.
XXV
In Thy footsteps
The young ones run Thy way;
At the touch of the fire
And by the spiced wine,
The divine balsam flows.
XXVI
In the inner cellar
Of my Beloved have I drunk; and when I went forth
Over all the plain
I knew nothing,
And lost the flock I followed before.
XXVII
There He gave me His breasts,
There He taught me the science full of sweetness.
And there I gave to Him
Myself without reserve;
There I promised to be His bride.
XXVIII
My soul is occupied,
And all my substance in His service;
Now I guard no flock,
Nor have I any other employment:
My sole occupation is love.
XXIX
If, then, on the common land
I am no longer seen or found,
You will say that I am lost;
That, being enamoured,
I lost myself; and yet was found.
XXX
Of emeralds, and of flowers
In the early morning gathered,
We will make the garlands,
Flowering in Thy love,
And bound together with one hair of my head.
XXXI
By that one hair
Thou hast observed fluttering on my neck,
And on my neck regarded,
Thou wert captivated;
And wounded by one of my eyes.
XXXII
When Thou didst regard me,
Thine eyes imprinted in me Thy grace:
For this didst Thou love me again,
And thereby mine eyes did merit
To adore what in Thee they saw
XXXIII
Despise me not,
For if I was swarthy once
Thou canst regard me now;
Since Thou hast regarded me,
Grace and beauty hast Thou given me.
XXXIV
THE BRIDEGROOM
The little white dove
Has returned to the ark with the bough;
And now the turtle-dove
Its desired mate
On the green banks has found.
XXXV
In solitude she lived,
And in solitude built her nest;
And in solitude, alone
Hath the Beloved guided her,
In solitude also wounded with love.
XXXVI
THE BRIDE
Let us rejoice, O my Beloved!
Let us go forth to see ourselves in Thy beauty,
To the mountain and the hill,
Where the pure water flows:
Let us enter into the heart of the thicket.
XXXVII
We shall go at once
To the deep caverns of the rock
Which are all secret,
There we shall enter in
And taste of the new wine of the pomegranate.
XXXVIII
There thou wilt show me
That which my soul desired;
And there Thou wilt give at once,
O Thou, my life!
That which Thou gavest me the other day.
XXXIX
The breathing of the air,
The song of the sweet nightingale,
The grove and its beauty
In the serene night,
With the flame that consumes, and gives no pains.
XL
None saw it;
Neither did Aminadab appear
The siege was intermitted,
And the cavalry dismounted
At the sight of the waters.

Ps. 16- boundary lines

Psalm 16:5 O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
         You maintain my lot.
 ⁶ The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
         Yes, I have a good inheritance.
NIV says boundary lines

Being in the season of wilderness I've been noticing that the Lord has been hedging me in and keeping me close. (Thank you Jesus!)
The word "boundary" caught my attention. I have limits. I have a boundary line that if I pass over means I won't be in my territory. But the Lord has set my lines in pleasant places. He has put me in a good place, even if I feel "hemmed in" its really good there. And if the Lord is my portion and He maintains my lot, then its beautiful!  In Him is everything, and He is BIG, transcendent, mysterious. The place I'm living in has too be good then.
I was also thinking about the Hebrew word Ch'sed- which means mercy or softening and taking the blow of someone else's stupidity. The picture is a stork with her little storkettes. The baby storks wander into a thorn bush, mama stork walks into the middle of it and plucks out her breast feather and pads the edges of the circle of thorns so that the storkettes don't hurt themselves. (Storks really do this). So there are missing feathers and probably blood on the chest of this stork. Pretty cool huh? The stork didn't take them out of the thornbush, but took her own feathers.

My boundary lines will fall in good places, because the Lord set them. Even when I leave those, we comes after me. Praise God! Ironic though that He always hedges me in using thorns so that I have no where else to go but to Him. God is so great! He is so wanting my affections. And yours!

End of school year

Well, it is the end of my first school year at IHOPU. I'm sad its over, but I still have 3 more years here so I'm really looking forward to that! SO much has happened in one year! Its hard to believe it! I've gone through 2 journals and am on my 3rd now. Looking back at this year, I remember when I first came. I was really looking forward to studying music and also a little apprehensive because I wasn't sure of the quality level of teaching I would recieve. But in my first semester I only had one class-choir. The leadership was more concerned with my heart toward God than my skill on an instrument. I am so thankful they did it that way! I've had so much happen internally to me than I probably realize. I came here knowing only just a little bit about the supernatural and prophesying and "weird/different" things like that. The Lord has been so good to me in showing how much more there is. How fun He is, how practical and involved He is and wants to be in our lives. I've felt that being here has been like living in a different world than I've ever kenown. God LOVES to talk with me all the time! He loves to speak to me in my dreams and give me strategies. He gives words of knowledge for other people to encourage His Bride.  He pours out His Spirit of intercession so that I carry His heart. He gives me such mercy and grace when I feel underserving, when I have had a terrible day He comforts me.  He's shown me that everything isn't always, "Well, that's how it is" and that more than anything He is jealous for my heart and affections, and He LOVES me so much. More than I even know. He really is for me, He really enjoys me.
Oh, I've been learning so much!
This year I affectionally call the "Detox season".  And right now I'm drawn into the wilderness where I'll be pushed, crushed, taken apart, and washed,  loved, spoken to tenderly, and drawn away. He is so good in His tender mercies. They are new every morning.
In the 1st semester my mind was being blown away by God's big plan for humanity and the earth. I found out that from Genesis to Revelation He has carried the theme of His Son all throughout. I remember when I realized that the Lord spoke to me often through my imagination and by giving me pictures. Such a sweet tender feeling. All the times spent in the prayer room of beginning with struggling to sit in a room for 3 1/2 hours to starting to hear Him, then to enjoying being in His presence and communing with the Holy Spirit, and partnering with Him in intercession.
My Father, my Daddy, He is so good! He is so kind. He's taken me up from the miry clay, and set my feet a-dancing! He  has brought joy to me. He has called me. He is my life, the reason I'm living.
I love the Lord!
I'm so thankful to the Lord for being here this year. It is exactly where I have needed to be! He is romancing my soul and singing over me, His banner over me is Love! He is drawing me away to Him, He is strengthening my soul and I'm becoming confident in His love.
This is not only about me, He feel this way about you too!
The Lord has broken into my heart with tenderness. He has given me grace. I'm learning music- what I've longed to do since highschool! I'm increasing in the knowledge of God, and by God's grace learning to let go.
I've so enjoyed being on a worship team for school and singing His word- that has unlocked scripture to my heart unlike anything else. Engaging in intercession has also been a big change in me. I love it and am so thankful!
Blessed be the name of the Lord! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU LORD!

Long Comment....sort of

Well... I don't know what I'd do a long comment on... Right now as I type, from the confines of my house, I peer through the open blinds and see for the first time the neighbor across the street has two children, both girls. Didn't know that. Sadly, I don't know any of my surrounding neighbors. Yes, I am just a renter in this house and am not staying here permanently, but it feels a little odd. But then again, I've never been approached by them. We did borrow his shovel one time (we don't own one), leaving a nice note on his door explaining the new position of his shovel.
In other news, I've been listening to C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity" on audio cd. I love listening to an accent, and it makes me realize that C.S. Lewis is quite sarcastic and witty with his words- unless that is the voice 'actor' or whatever the title would be. I feel like it is quite similar to Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen time-period style, but with less formalities and talk of propriety. But quite similar. Even typing this I am thinking this in an accent, British of sorts. Speaking of British accents have I mentioned some that have thrown me off?  I have come across 2 people who are NOT white with British accents. Indeed these 2 have lived in England for some time. One is a Korean, the second is African American. It is incredibly lovely and excellent to hear them, they are some of my favorite people to listen to, not solely because of their accent, but these guys are SO IN LOVE WITH JESUS and have loads of revelation; definetly friends of the Bridegroom.

Well, I love my house and this community, I am astounded and sooooo thankful to the Lord for where He has put me! To be able to talk everyday about what the Lord showed us this day, and what He has been telling us. His mercies are new every morning. Jesus is soo good!  I am stirred and provoked to go deeper in the Lord all the time by my lovely roommates, and together we run after Him together. My teachers are incredibly helpful in small things such as format of Harp & Bowl, social things in the model and etc. Today in class we talked about the model and how to have the least social traffic.

Cool.. I just heard a song a friend of mine recorded using my guitar. Makes me feel special, but I need to turn the highs down on my guitar a little. But still, my guitar soundsawesome! Thanks Dad for choosing such a good sounding guitar with me! I miss you and playing guitar and piano with you!!!!!! We should write songs together.
I'm setting a goal: this summer I am going to write one song a week! I'M SO EXCITED! Its gonna be great! Lord, make me your songwriter!

This week is GBF week (Global Bridegroom Fast) so classes are cancelled, which gives me a couple hours of free time this week! THANK YOU JESUS!
Well, this seems like a pretty good rant post.
Much love to you!
Get ready, Jesus is coming!
Blessings!
JOY!

Psalm 23 from Jesus' perspective

Some insight into Harp & Bowl model: On  a "Worship with the Word" cycle  the team chooses (beforehand) what portion of scripture to do. For about 2 months we sang Psalm 23. Side note- singing scripture has unlocked my heart like none other. Nothing gets the word in me like singing it.  Matt Candler or someone asked Mike Bickle what he'd tell someone if he was on his deathbed. Mike replied, "Sing scripture". But really, my heart just seems to open up... anyways
Psalm 23.
For most of those months we sang it as it is read, from our perspective to God. But one day my worship team leader dropped the idea to sing it from Jesus' perspective, as Psalm 23 is between Psalm 22 which is definetly what Jesus say/goes through and 24.
It was a totally new concept, everyone was excited... I was a little nervous. The first  time we sang it through I realized how little I had to sing from the perspective of Jesus. I had no language, and I didn't know what to sing. I'd never thought about it like that.   But we did it again and again, and it was soo amazing.
Jesus followed the Lord's leading
it please the Father to crush Him

these are some of the choruses that came out:

• Everything you needed came from the Father's hand, You were leaning, You were trusting
• You said, not my will, but yours be done
• Jesus you were broken for a Bride, Jesus you were broken for our love
• Into your hands I commit my spirit
• For the joy set before you, you endured, you obeyed

Really fun singing and reading that Psalm from another perspective!

Into the Wilderness

Well!! I wrote a song! This is a testimony to God's goodness, because I had thought I had "writers' block" of some sorts since middle school when it came to song writing. Really I had songs pouring from my soul, but  I had believed lies that I couldn't write songs, that theyall were going to be bad etc. I had to push through! But I flung those demons off my pencil by God's goodness and will be writing songs and songs and songs and songs!! Praise God! So here is a rough draft of one song. Too bad you can't here it but here are the lyrics

Into the Wilderness (Song of Solomon Ch. 2 & 3)

In my adultery, in my idolatry, you keep coming after me
You are faithful to me.
My beloved one, You've captured my heart and now
I cannot find you.
You are asking me to move beyond this tree, you said to Me,
"Rise up, my love, and come away"
but I stayed
"The winter is past, the rain is gone, flowers appear on the earth"
But I was afraid of the darkness

Now I'm searching for you x2 the one I love

This is it, valley of decision
Forsake it all to gain You
Or cling to these false comforts
Fleeting and Meaningless
x2

I run into the wilderness
You lead I'll follow
I run into your name
I give it all away to be with You
Oh Jesus, You are everything
I give it all away to be with You
Oh Jesus, You are everything,
you have all I need
I cannot bear to be apart from You
      Come and lead this stubborn lamb
     take me gently by the hand
I long to be with You

bridge
  Do not scorn love, love is the only way
Jesus took the cross, laid down His life for us
Do not scorn love, love is the only way
In this, while still sinners, He proved His love for us

He became a man and walked with us
He's jealous for our love
He went to death and back for us
He's jealous for our love
He's the Bridegroom thats coming for His Bride like the sun
He's jealous for our love.


commentary:
When I wrote this song originally I was going to write a song on Psalm 23. It turned into this after reading a book called Silent songs of worship (ironic I know) by my instructor Dr. Terri L. Terry. Also having taken a class on Song of Solomon played a role too (that was in 1st semester) But I just finished reading a chapter titled, The song of the Wilderness. To lean on Him, to get rid of my own selfish nature I must die in the wilderness. After all we are called to pick up our cross dail. If I want to be a forerunner like John the Baptist then imitating his lifestyle would be a good start He spent loads of time in the wilderness before he started his ministry. Just him and God.  Reading that reminded me of the Shulamite maid when the Beloved invites her to come with him to the mountains to which she replies
Until the day breaks
      And the shadows flee away,       Turn, my beloved,
      And be like a gazelle
      Or a young stag
      Upon the mountains of Bether. (S.O.S. 2:17)
Basically those shadows scare me, you go on without me.  Then in ch. 3 she is so lovesick she looks for him.
I hope you are blessed upon reading this. This expresses my heart towards the Lord in his invitation to come away with him. And boy is He good to me! Upon just saying 'yes' he is overwhelmed with love for me

I love lists! 3 Reasons I love IHOP

If you didn't know this about me, I love lists. I like to organize schedules, and put my brain on paper.

Here are 3 reasons I love IHOP:
1. They are SO in love with Jesus. So snockered! exponentially, going hard after the heart of God.
2. IHOP is teaching me so much about the 3 persons in the trinity, and causing me to fall in love with Jesus because they tell me about Him, and also they direct me to spend time with Him...which causes me to fall in love with Him.
3. The leaders wait on the Holy Spirit, and are obedient to His voice.

Roommate interview-Nikolena & Heidi & Me

Ok, Honestly, I got these questions off the internet. But I thought it would be fun to interview my housemates... well only two of them. Here you are:

Short interview of Myself and a couple of my roomates.  N is for Nikolena, H is for Heidi, and M is for me.

 What do you do for fun when you’re not studying, doing research, or performing community service?
N: Anything where I can use my hands- painting, old-to new stuff, cooking, and dreaming (Dreaming is my favorite thing in the world!) etc.
H: I like to read, paint, or write. And I am developing a new passion for cooking. I like to rest in HIS presence.
M: I am either relaxing, resting, being leisurely, or eating. Also I make a time for me to do the Most important things for that day, and to chip away on big projects.
In what areas do you think you can improve?
N: I really, really need meekness. I need to learn to not revile in return.
H: I need to study the word more. I need to be a better steward of my time, and I need to speak more truth over myself rather than agreeing with lies.
M: I need to improve in many areas... humility, servant heart, but really I just need to spend time with Jesus. I think that's the biggest thing right now. Get to know Jesus.

?  What kind of music do you listen to?
N: Laura Hackett and Misty Edwards make me really tender and sensitive to the Lord.
H: Worship music, anything that worships God.
M: Mostly worship music, and a little culture music also.
?  What is a novel or book that you’ve read for pleasure recently and liked, and why did you like it?
N: Heavenly Man. I may not even be able to give a description why, because I am so dumbfounded... It showed me a clear example of a spirit-lead life.
H: Secrets of the Secret place by Bob Sorge.  I liked it because it helped me grow in intimacy with my beloved, and gave me practical ways to live the life I desire to live. Next book is A.W. Tozer's knowledge of the Holy
M: The most recent would be a book called Micah. I forgot who wrote it but I liked it because it put me in the story of David personally. I feel that after reading that book I can recall David's life and things in it.
?  How would you define life? And what is your position on abortion? What is more important–someone agreeing with you on these issues or someone figuring out their own stance on these issues?
N: Its about agreeing with Jesus.
H: Life prayer- Jesus I plead your blood over my sins and the sins of my nation. God end abortion and send revival to America.
M: Life is meant to glorify God. Jesus end abortion, definetly agree with Nikki, its about agreeing with Jesus
?  What is your “Top 5 ” list for favorite movies,
N: Pride and Prejudice, Little Woman, Pure Luck, Nacho Libre, and A walk to Remember
H: While you were Sleeping, Ever After,  Musicals
M: Furious Love, Finger of God, LOTR series, Chronicles of Narnia series, ...

Fasting

WOW.... well today particularly fasting is really difficult. I find when I'm fasting a lot of my monsters come out. Lord deliver me! Today started out pretty good, but towards the evening particularly around 4:30, my body physically got tired and boy is my mind crazy! We had a evening service tonight and I found that I couldn't focus, I thought about cooking meals and eating something, and I wanted to see my friends. Needless to say I couldn't focus on the sermon which seemed really good-based on crowd response. I found my heart was really offended also. The Lord's manifest presence was near the side of the wall I was by and people were manifesting, getting hit with joy, and good stuff happening. But man, I wanted nothing to do with it. I really wanted to go home. I really hope the Lord is doing something in me, because I am seeing all the gross stuff come out of me as I am being purified.  Deliver me LORD from EVERYTHING that hinders love! I don't want to be offended when you come! I don't want to be good with you only on my good days! I want to love you with everything I have in all my seasons (Even if they change in one day!)
The Lord has always met me in my fasts though. I fast for multiple reasons this time, but fasting always seems to speed things up with Jesus. Perhaps the Lord is taking care of the offense-removal-process now, so that later I will be solid and standing with Jesus.
I look forward to what the Lord will do. My Spirit is willing, but my flesh is very very weak.  You are my strength, I fast for you anyways.
But fasting is good! You should do it! Its SUPER rewarding, this is just a long comment of how I am feeling RIGHT NOW.
ENCOUNTER, ENCOUNTER, ENCOUNTER!
Reveal Jesus to us, Holy Spirit!
Father God, you are my Father, I love you, I need you.

Looking back to last year

Looking back at my journal from a year ago I was interested in what I was writing about this time last year. Apparently I didn't journal very much. I was definetly a note-taker, writing little notes here and there. But I did write about Luke 10:25-28. Particularly focused on v. 27, about loving the Lord with all my strength, soul, heart, and mind. What does that look like? I was wondering, what does it look like to love Him with all my strength? What does it look like to love Him with my whole mind? etc. Now I would also add, What does it look like to love Him with all my TIME? What does it look like to even love God? Its more than how it appears, its about my heart-connect. Learning to love. I need to let God love me in all those areas, to make space in those. To depend on His strength, to hear His heartbeat against His chest. To think upon Him. To be so  captivated by the beauty of Jesus. To be fascinated with His character. I mean God -Yahweh- became a man!.... do we even realize the magnitude of this! I know I am only beginning to see it. I still don't fully grasp that! Lord teach us who you are! Give us the right paradigm of you!

In my journal from a year ago I was putting worship song under categories of heart, soul, mind. (I think I wanted to do this on my worship team @ ICS. But really it doesn't matter in regard to sub-categorizes. The best worship songs are about God, to God. I worship Jesus, not my heart, soul, mind or strength. But I wanted to sing songs that expressed me loving God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Which is awesome. Jesus has captivated my heart, my mind, my soul is with Him and Jesus is my strength. He has my attention, my emotions, my thoughts. They are all for Him. Because I am a garden enclosed for Jesus. Once again I declare that I am giving my mind, my soul, my strength, and my heart to Jesus.
I'll end this post with these beautiful lyrics about Jesus

The Beauty of This Man:
My heart is stirred by a noble theme
Bringing blessed words unto my King
Giving up my love as a sweet offering
Oh the beauty of this Man

For the sake of love, He left His Father's throne
Searching for a bride, bone of His bone
Such a humble kiss to make her dust His own
Oh the beauty of this Man

Jesus, I love You, I give You all my worship
Jesus, I love You, Your name is Wonderful

See His hands, His head, His feet and His side
They bear the marks of wrath, a pure sacrifice
To secure her love by giving up His life
Oh the beauty of this Man

She now faint with love, beckons Him to come
Establish righteousness as God's risen Song
On that glorious day, she'll marry her Fair One
Oh the beauty of this Man

20 questions for Mary

In my Excellencies of Christ class, one of our assignments was to write out 20 questions for Mary based on reading the 4 gospels. Thought I'd share what my 20 questions were:

1. What was Jesus like growing up?
2. How did you mother God? Was it difficult?
3. When did you worship Jesus?
4. Did you ever gorget Jesus was the Son of God?
5. Was it hard being the mother of Jesus?
6. Did people ever talk about you?
7. When did you become a Christian?
8. When did you recieve the baptism of Holy Spirit?
9. Did you sing often?
10. What were your other children like?
11. What was your family like that you came from before meeting Joseph?
12. What do you think of people praying to you?
13. What do you enjoy the most?
14. What does your laugh sound like?
15. What does Jesus' laugh sound like?
16. What is your favorite thing about Jesus?
17. What did you and Jesus talk about?
18. Did Jesus sing?
19. What did you do after Jesus went up to heaven?
20. Did you ever tell Jesus any stories,- Any bed-time stories?

Prophetic Singing Class

He-Yo!
Well! What a busy semester this is going to be!! I thought I'd write about what I'm learning in my prophetic singing class. I am fortunate to have had some voice training before coming here, so things like technique aren't totally new to me. Today in class we talked a lot about vocal health. Here is what I've learned:
1. Tiredness first shows up in your voice, so get sufficient sleep. (For me, this will be on weekends. perhaps)                You want to be able to give strength to the worship team.

2. Hydration!  You want to drink half of your body weight in oz a day. If you drink coffee/tea that is diuretic you need to take 2x as much water.

3. Eat a balanced diet. "Don't eat out of a box". Put God-made food into a God-made body for the result as God-intended. For study times when I'm craving, eat fruit first, then if I absolutely have to, go the sugar route. When you are craving cheese, that usually means your body is craving Omega-3's. (eh... we'll see how this pans out...)

4. Don't scream, sing.  Don't clear throat. Philosophy for singing [only], "If it feels good- DO IT!" and if it doesn't feel good, don't do that. 

A lot of this I actually learned from my voice teacher. I felt so informed!! Many thanks to her!!!



Hope this is fun for you who are wanting to learn what I'm learning in this class!
Blessings, Blessings, Blessings!
Please pray for me with school, right now it like I hit the ground running-which is good, just caught me off guard. :) WeEl. Much love,
Rebekah

2nd Semester!

Hooray! I've begun my second semester at IHOPU, and now its almost all music!! WOOOT!!
It is so great to be learning music and growing in this area!  Especially since music is in the heart of God. I was made musically and made for music. (Speaking creates soundwaves and music is a bunch of soundwaves, right?)
I am so excited to grow in this expression of worship! I love singing to Jesus and creating beauty through sound and offering it to Him. I am so blessed by excellent teachers and people who draw my attention to Jesus.
Because in Heaven angels are singing day and night and worshiping Him non-stop and we pray, "On earth as it is in heaven" it is so incredible to me to feel like I am equipping myself to equip others to worship together our Lord God. I am so blessed!

My classes are such:

Harp & Bowl sets (I am on a team), and time in the PR.
Keys II (Piano, theory, ear training)
Prophetic singing
Choir
Sound for Everyone (Soundboard stuff)
FMA Practicum
Excellencies of Christ (Allen Hood)
Life of a Worshiper

Such great looking classes!

I've only taken Keys II today, but my homework is to ask the Lord questions about this year and what he wants me to focus on and to practice Glover's hand signs for Do-Re-Me-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do
I will be practicing at least 30 min a day.
So I am no longer at the GPR prayer room in the mornings, instead I have "lab prayer room" where I am on a team at 8-11:50 am, and then in the GPR  in the late afternoons.
I am very excited for this semester! All classes are good, a lot more homework than 1st semester. I hope I can figure out a good life schedule for this great up and here semester! I really am enjoying it so far!