Hey everybody!
So I haven't updated my blog for a long while 1) because I've been extremely busy with the holiday season and 2) because I haven't taken the time to actually stop and listen to what God has to say to me. I hate that feeling of knowing that you need to stop and listen but also feeling like you just can't make the time. Well yesterday the consequence of my inability to manage my time came to a head. I became so overwhelmed by all the things I had to get done for The Awakening Branson and The World Race (raising money, writing script, starting rehersals, fundraising, vaccinations…etc.) that I was walking around with tears in my eyes the whole day (and for those of you who know me that is extremely uncharacteristic of me). My shoulders where tense, my brain was about to explode, and my heart was heavy. AHHHHHHH 
Later that afternoon I got a call from a member of The Awakening Branson ministry team and we started discussing all the things we needed to get done for our presentation we are starting this Spring. He commented that he was trying not to be stressed but the thought of putting this all together made him feel overwhelmed.
Without skipping a beat the Holy Spirit spoke to me, and out of my mouth came the very words that we both needed to hear, "You know this whole journey is about faith. And you can't have true faith without peace. We need to have peace!" I don't remember the rest of that conversation because I was to focused on the words God had just directly spoken to my heart! DUH!!! PEACE!!! I was missing His peace in my life!
That night I made the effort to stop and just spend time with the Lord. I went to IHOP KC and just sat in the Lord's presence for hours talking to Him, laying down my burdens, and listening to what He had to say. In those couple of hours well spent, God showered me with His peace and I left burden free and full of confidence and faith because of His peace.
What an amazing moment and what an amazing way to kick off this New Year! The rest of this blog is some things the Lord spoke to my heart and my prayer for each of you that I feel I am supposed to share with all of you 🙂 So may this touch your heart and may the peace of God rule in your hearts daily!
January 2nd, 2013
As I sit in the place of prayer oh God speak….
We cannot be men and women of faith without having the peace of God! We pray for an increase of faith but we are crippling ourselves when, first, we ask not for peace. Peace is the foundation and the glue of true unshakable faith.
Being a person of faith can be harmful to the body, mind, and soul if peace is not present in the period of growth. When we learn to live by faith we are learning a whole new way of life very contrary to our natural instincts. Our nature is to find a way in the natural to make things happen on our own. It's a control issue most of us have and have to overcome! When we shift our mindset it can cause a great amount of stress. That is why it is key to have peace in our hearts as we live by faith.
The Prince of Peace, the One who came to bring Peace and Goodwill to all men has already come and we have access to that peace for our hearts as we learn to live bold lives of faith.
So….God I ask for the peace that passes all understanding of logic and earthly knowledge to grip the hearts of those who are stepping out in faith. Where it would make sense for stress and fear to creep in, replace those emotions with your peace that comes from Your Spirit.
If You have said that it will happen then we know with confidence that it will!
Not our will or way but Yours be done oh God! For You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of peace, love, and a sound mind! Peace produces faith, peace produces boldness, peace produces wisdom! Let Your peace pass over our hearts and give us the grace to walk out our faith before You. Let even our deepest fears be quenched by Your peace God!
As we seek Your heart, bring peace!
As we carry out Your will, bring peace!
Jesus, just as You spoke to the wind and the waves,"Peace be still." Speak that over our hearts and minds even now as we come face to face with the things that would hold us back.
It's all for You God…this is all for You! Let us not lose sight of our reason for existance: To know You and to seek You!
Let Your peace forever reign in our hearts!
Amen and Amen!
