Hearing GOD

As part of the NYC Plunge that we experienced in September, we were asked to read a small book called "Listening Prayer". Now quite honestly I've never wanted to "hear" God's voice. I think if I heard what I thought was God's voice audibly, I'd just pass out. I do however "hear" God in many other ways. He designed me, so he fully understands how I need to "hear" him.

I've been on a quest for about 8 months now to learn to pay better attention to when GOD is speaking to me. I read another book called Wavelength where the author Petherick sighted many examples of hearing GOD and that started me on my quest. It was a GREAT book! Easy to read and very interesting. Then I attended the taping of a video segment at Kensington title "24/7" with Jesus. I learned even more there. Then the Listening Prayer book. Then in September I joined a T3 (Topics That Transform) bible study on Daniel by Beth Moore. More learning to hear GOD. I pretty much hear him talk to me on a very regular basis. Not audibly - but he sends me very clear messages. If you read my very first post, then you know HIS most recent message to me. Kensington is doing a short two week series on Hearing God and I've REALLY looking forward to it.

I don't think I realize just how often GOD tries to talk to me but I just don't pay attention. So I'm going to try here to post when he talks to me.

A few nights ago, my man and I were painting the basement walls (we are finishing off the basement in hopes of bringing our house one up on the others for sale on our block - nice vacation for my man, I know) and of course our most frequent conversations revolve around the logistics of this move (selling or renting this house, jobs, school, etc.) I asked if he had been praying about the house sale and job hunt most specifically. I said that I feel almost guilty asking GOD for the things we need to move - it just feels selfish on so many different levels.

At one of our Launch Team meetings last month, M (whom I highly respect as a very spiritual woman) said that the Holy Spirit was prompting her to tell us to pray "high" so to speak. I took that as ask for the impossible. She said "It's all been taken care of - just ask." Well I've still not felt comfortable asking for what it is I think we need to move. So this was the basis of our conversations - what is right and not right to pray for. I'm not sure that even makes sense.

My man reads nightly to oldest daughter, K1, out of a book I bought them titled "Bedside Blessings" by Charles R. Swindoll. Well after our little chat, he goes upstairs to tuck K1 in and read to her. He then comes downstairs and shows me what that nights' reading was:



December 23
"If we would ask more, we would have more. But because we don't ask, we don't have. I wonder how many wonderful gifts are left unwrapped in heaven because they were never asked to be unwrapped on earth? They just remained there, unasked for."

You do not have because you do not ask. James 4:2

I've started praying and asking for the BIG things for I know GOD has gone before us and the Giants aren't so large after all.

My Dad

My Dad is what you would call the strong silent type. He rarely expresses his true feelings about anything. Once in my life he wrote me a letter. That was it. Otherwise on one ocassion I recall him telling me to listen to the lyrics of a song and that would explain things. I think he's just afraid of crying and being vulnerable. I get that from him for sure. Earlier in the week I was talking with my parents about the move. I've never lived more than 15 minutes from my parents in my life. Now I'm moving a days drive away. I knew it would be hard for them but I didn't know how hard. I asked him why he wouldn't talk to me about the move. He said to look up the lyrics for this song by Billy Ray. I don't normally like Country music but it's all he listens to (he's a real red neck so to speak and proud of it). I googled the lyrics and found a video on You Tube. I guess after listening to this, it is really hard for my Dad but at least he's not being negative about it which is what I was expecting.



Here are the lyrics:

"Ready, Set, Don't Go"

She's gotta do what she's gotta do
And I've gotta like it or not
She's got dreams too big for this town
And she needs to give 'em a shot
Whatever they are

Looks like she's all ready to leave
Nothing left to pack
There ain't no room for me in that car
Even if she asked me to tag along
God I gotta be strong

She's at the startin' line of the rest of her life
As ready as she's ever been
Got the hunger and the stars in her eyes
The prize is hers to win
She's waitin' on my blessings before she hits that
open road
Baby get ready
Get set
Don't go

She says things are fallen into place
Feels like they're fallen apart
I painted this big ol' smile on my face
To hide my broken heart
If only she knew
This is where I don't say what I want so bad to say
This is where I want to but I won't get in the way
Of her and her dreams
And spreadin' her wings

She's at the startin' line of the rest of her life
As ready as she's ever been
Got the hunger and the stars in her eyes
The prize is hers to win
She's waitin' on my blessings before she hits that
open road
Baby get ready
Get set
Don't go

She's at the startin' line of the rest of her life
As ready as she's ever been
Got the hunger and the stars in her eyes
The prize is hers to win
She's waitin' on my blessings before she hits that
open road
Baby get ready
Get set
Please don't go

Don't go
Don't go
She's gotta do what she's gotta do
She's gotta do what she's gotta do

Service this Past Sunday

We had a nice little snowstorm on Saturday night. I mentioned to my man that maybe we could skip service on Sunday because it was all about membership and we are already members. But I was scheduled to serve so we couldn't skip it after all. In the 18 months that we have been attending KCC, I think we have only missed twice (once we were all deadly sick and the other time we were in NYC). I truly look forward to service starting my week off on the right foot.

I'm glad we ended up going. We go to the 9 am service which always has the lowest attendance I think but it was SUPER low this Sunday. People had to get up out of their comfy seats to pass the basket for the offering. I'm not used to having to get up during service since leaving my Catholic roots : ) Big Steve was the Pastor and he is just hilarious!

During service, they showed a video they taped for their 10 year anniversary 7 years ago. It was AWESOME to watch again! My perspective has changed a bit since watching it the first time last year. When I heard, I think it was Paula say, we all had kids and when we had meetings, we had kids climbing all over us, it sure made me feel better about taking our kids along with us on this journey. I've seen a few of those kids grown up now and they sure did turn out terrific! The girls are the ones I've been most worried about. If it was just my man and I, I wouldn't have nearly as many concerns as I do. Raising 3 very impressionable young girls in NYC. I pray often that by surrounding them by the Jesus loving people that are on this team, it will protect them against most negative outside forces. They are already growing up too fast and I can only imagine how fast they will grow up there. I'm thankful for the other K girls, baby S and little E that are quickly becoming their buddies. They look forward to NYC meetings now and are disappointed when they don't get to go. I can't even begin to imagine what our 10 year anniversary video will look like! The girls will be around 18, 16, and 14. WOW! GOD sure does have a wild plan for this family.....