Category: prayer

Gratitude and Double Nickels

On By mygodroomIn blessings, gratitude, music, obedience, prayerLeave a comment

Yesterday, we returned to TN from worshipping at Brandon Lake’s Tear off the Roof Tour in Charleston, SC on 5/5/2024. It was the quickest trip we have ever planned or taken. Leaving my glorious 55th year behind in January, my heart’s desire was to worship at a Brandon Lake event. His music very much marked all of 2023 for me, including the miracle 10/17/23. We prayed about it and agreed to go to Charleston, SC, to celebrate my 1/21/2024 birthday, my ninth baptism birthday (5/3/15) and our 9th wedding anniversary (5/10/15) in advance. Praise God for healing my blood pressure issues of February, March and April, in His Timing! (Isa 55)

After a spiritual warfare grenade thrown by a certain pastor last week, I am exponentially grateful we sacrificed some things in our normal budget to obtain floor seats. Heck, we were even blessed in the City Market buying that brick washed red Charleston cap. The sweet vendor told me I was “meant to have that cap” at a 33% discount! We met up with an old friend of mine who is four months pregnant with her second child. She will be fifty in July and the baby girl will be born in late October/Early November. Blessings upon blessings!

We cut the visit a pinch short to ensure we made it over to the Credit One arena on time. The Holy Spirit was present in a palpable way; it felt like Jesus was holding my hand most of the evening. It did not surprise me Brandon Lake opened with “Praise You Anywhere” and ended with “Praise”. From beginning to the end of his set, Brandon Lake led authentic, gospel-based worship. Of all the Christian artists I have ever experienced in person, I do not recall a single one used more by God to move me closer to Him. I thank God for the soundtrack he has given to my faith, including Brandon Lake.

After Doe’s opening set, there was an extended call to sponsor World Vision children in need. Lake was on stage at 8:02 pm. Roughly 40 minutes into the show, Brother Brandon joked about being too sweaty to put on his Coat of Many Colors. He shared the story behind his coat before placing it on his sons. In doing so, Lake spoke of the double portion of Spirit and anointing his father prayed over him and how he prays for his three boys to receive the same.

I have seen quite a few clips/shorts of Brandon Lake. Never had I heard him refer to a double portion. It certainly isn’t the first time the Holy Spirit has returned a Word back to me through another person. In that moment, I knew exactly why the Spirit had me write out “One Response” to the aforementioned pastor BEFORE leaving Nashville. It was the nudge to include a reference to 2 Kings 2:9-14 and a double portion of a different variety. Such a blinding bright light of a Godwink in the middle of the show!

Truly, I love how the Holy Spirit moves…including through music and the internet. I somehow ended up here after looking up Brandon Lake’s earlier music. How perfect! Brandon Lake wrote a song with Matt Redman, Brian Johnson, and Phil Wickham and called “We Praise You” on Redmond’s Let There Be Wonder compilation four years ago. The same Matt Redman the pastor praised while denouncing Brandon Lake’s song, Gratitude. The pastor wrote, “Lake is connected with Bethel Church …and along with their music labels promote questionable teaching all the time.” I suppose it depends on how one defines “connected.” Still, I rebuke such statements, as God will judge me or condemn every useless word, including mine.

I didn’t find or know this song before writing “One Response”, so I am including it here for posterity. Yes, Brandon Lake has collaborated with Elevation Worship, Bethel Music, Hillsong, Maverick City Music and more. I emphatically deny that all music from them should be silenced under the presumption of “bad theology”.

I assume ALL GOOD in any person is from God, as I believe all GOOD and GOOD KNOWLEDGE come from God. I have also experienced God through some secular music. I respect churches being intentional about how they lead worship and which songs they choose. However, blindly banning any group of artists and reading the devil into all their songs surely borders on blasphemy.

Praise can be a weapon to silence the enemy!

Roughly a year later, this is Elevation Worship with Maverick City and Brandon Lake. This video was posted three years ago and as of today, 3.3M views:

Forward another year, Lake’s Gratitude was used on The Chosen. 33 million views to this version alone. I believe God has used this song to sew countless seeds among those 33 million views. Brandon Lake can’t convert people to follow Jesus in his own power. However, there is no denying God’s hand on this song and, I believe, on Mr. Lake, himself. Lord, thank you for all you have done, are doing and will do. You have the master list 🙂 Today, I humbly ask all those who come to Jesus through his ministry grow to full maturity in their faith. In Jesus sweet name, Amen.

January 4, 2024

On By mygodroomIn gratitude, obedience, prayerLeave a comment

Obedience requires action. For reasons unknown to me, I must share this texted response…

Lol. I thought I was being funny by using my last name!

Like everything else, “wonderful” is subjective. I was giddy on the way home last night because God showed off in three big ways yesterday. Three separate strangers with completely different stories- just confirmation galore about a bunch of stuff I’ve been wrestling with lately.

God has been doing a ton of showing up and showing off in my life since February. No doubt, 2023 has been the most favorite year of my entire life.

Flip side- they have not let me/us visit since returning from Italy in October. The repairs from the car crashing into our Boro shop didn’t get done until Late December. Big drama at our tiny church- no longer our church. Other things have been challenging and beyond gut-punching.

Too much for a text. Clearly. Lol. Love you and hope we catch up soon.

Faith and Forgiveness

On By mygodroomIn blessings, marriage, obedience, prayer, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Lord, thank you for ALL you have done, are doing and will do in our lives. I come to you with a humbled and much-slowed down heart. Please forgive me for any time my child-like wonder has been an impediment in any manner.

I know this heart you gave me is for YOUR PURPOSE and you wired me this way for reasons I may never know in this life. Thank you for infusing my heart with such genuine excitement for you and love of others! In this moment, I am very grateful for the hard lesson about when to “turn down the volume”.

Oh, Lord, I would never want to have your greatness in our lives perceived as anything other than YOUR GREATNESS. I see now, many people have never experienced you. I do not wish to be a poor messenger or example of your grace.

What I do see in this moment is how you literally slowed my heart pressure to 84/62 on February 28, just as you did seven years ago and November 26. You, like any good parent, must let your child implode from time to time. It’s not to blow up a secure life, it’s to build it back even more secure.

Foundations and Floodgates are much like roots and wings. Thank you for comforting me through the scary parts and giving me Mark as my husband. I love you most of all! I ask this forgiveness in the name of your precious son, Jesus, and every drop of his blood that was shed for humanity. Amen.


God Moves Mervat

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In the past three years, I have met several people from Egypt in Smyrna, TN. Each time, there has been an opportunity in conversation to bear witness to my “favorite Egyptian”.

More than a week ago, I made a video at the house. In the video, I am talking about two particular mountains I know God moved in my life.

Of particular note to me was realizing the language I was led to use posting about meeting Mervat in January 2017. I wrote “ You moved the FDA mountain.

It perplexed me in the best way! Why? Simply put, The FDA Mountain was officially moved 11/2/2017 So, that must have been in reference at the time to be something about extensions which kept getting granted.

God answered a prayer in real time on this day with Mervat. I was wrong to combine it with the FDA Mountain for the long term. But, “I see what you did here”, too. I wouldn’t have realized “my error” was not an error.

Lord, you are so good to me. I love you.

Love & Lead Like Jesus

On By mygodroomIn marriage, obedience, prayerLeave a comment

The Holy Spirit got me out of bed at 5:45 this morning to look up 2 Timothy 2:22. I spent about 45 minutes in the Book of Timothy before going downstairs to turn on the coffee.  For the third time in three months, I flipped to Amos 1:1.    These two things deserve several pages of thought processing, but that is going to have to wait.  Amos reminds us God can do extraordinary things through ordinary people.   I have never once considered my husband “ordinary” as a human being, but today I want to share the extraordinary work I believe God is doing through him.

The other day, God put a need in front of me that resulted in an inspired action of committing to give a precise amount of money. I didn’t know why that was put on my heart so strongly, but there was no denying that it was to be done, in that exact amount, exactly as it happened.  Things are questionable at our business right now, the margins are becoming smaller and for us, it was a substantial action.  I would typically never commit to any amount over $100 without first talking with my husband.  Still, I was committed.  Just now, I am realizing there is a Biblical reference tied to the amount, but, I digress.    When my husband came home, we discussed it and his response was excitement.  He was so excited that we were called to be used and that we could be used by Him.  The look that kids get when they see gifts at their birthday?  Yes, that was the look in Mark’s face.  We have such joy in the giving.   That is just a part of my sweet husband.

Mark has given me a copious amount of time off work to dedicate myself and the gifts He has given me to a God-directed service project. We share Bible flips, Godversations, details and observations, life, business and everything else.  On top of all of it, we have had three very emotionally exhausting weeks with my teenagers due to something that had nothing to do with us.   Mark needs and deserves a chance to breathe, rest and just sleep in one day.

Bearing that in mind, we have talked and prayed for quite some time about how to best use what God has given us to be of service.  Mark was lead to open our home for a Men’s Group at our church.  Two nights ago, he had two Godly men in our home for about three hours.  This was immediately after the emotionally and spiritually charged conversation with me about the giving.   What a Thursday!    Last night, a second men’s group started.   Being who we are in our marriage, we have been discussing what it means to be a leader and put love into action.  My husband has a huge heart; I love watching God at work through him right now.   Despite being exhausted beyond measure; my sweet husband went to the other man’s group last night. He went because he felt called to go.  He went because the man, Bryan, had told him no one else had committed to attend.  He went because that is how you show love to a brother.    Despite a woman and her daughter being present, he stayed for two hours.

When he finally made it home, we had another two hours of God-filled conversation.   Knowing my husband, I had bought him a very funny card.  Something to break any tension for a moment and allow laughter to come to life.  The punch line to the joke was “there is no greater love.”  My note in the card was that “well, there is ONE,” and went on to tell him just how much I appreciate being married to a man who invites Jesus into our lives on a daily basis.  During our Godversation, he shared one of the questions Bryan had asked him was, “who leads you to Jesus.”

In this moment, I am floored, again.  Mark told me his response was to share our Bible flips with Bryan. He shared how this service project has impacted us.  In short, he shared how God has been moving in our lives and told Bryan, “honestly, God has been using Carol to lead me to Jesus.”  My husband has told me many kind words through the years.  He has told me I was beautiful when I was surely not feeling it, he has acknowledged my heart when I was hurting and he married me when I was about fifty pounds heavier.  Of all the kind, wonderful and amazing things my husband has said to me through the years, this is the compliment which means the most.  My husband loves and leads me just like Jesus.  He sees Jesus in me.

We digested our Godversation further and watched the last half hour of show we had started the night before.  We concluded our evening by watching a video on the Book of Daniel.  Another men’s group is having their first meeting this morning.  The topic is Daniel.  Although my husband really needed to sleep until 9, he was planning to be up at 7 to attend the meeting.  Why?  Because that is what a true brother in Christ does for another brother.  He just called and told me, once again, he was the only one who showed up, aside from our pastor.  So, Brothers Kent, Mark and Dustin had a wonderful morning together in the word.  Hearing the joy in his voice, I immediately knew the Holy Spirit was with them.

Our hearts are on fire and in sync with the word, the spirit and the way.  It’s exhilarating!  God is so good!  Thank you, Lord, for giving me a husband who chases your heart with me.  The only key that matters is the one which opens up your Kingdom to us.  We love you.

timothy222

Yes, Sir!

On By mygodroomIn obedience, prayer, UncategorizedLeave a comment 
Father God, I do not know why you put this on my heart to share at such a late hour last night. I do know I woke up with minor discomfort instead of the havoc-wreaking pain for the first time in five days.  I know I woke praising you and feeling strong, after praying for strength the past two days.  I thank you for Nancy and how what she shared was so meaningful to Deloris. I thank you for using me to convey love and comfort one of your daughters.  I thank you for the conversation with Justin yesterday and everything else you are using to bust my heart wide open.  I thank you for giving me a husband after your own heart, Lord; only your Son has ever loved me more on this earth. I am humbled greatly by how we are seeing more of you in my children.  You are so present in our lives, Father God!  I thank you for your word, direction and inspiration.  The past three days have been a whirlwind, but what a beautiful one.  I will share the half of the letter you want saved for Your Purpose and I pray in Jesus' name, it will glorify you.  I love you so much.

It would mean a great deal to me if you would consider praying about being able to help them truly connect. …….  they aren’t connected, truly connected, to any of the younger parents with younger kids.

I know them well and know it is their hearts desire to grow real relationships within the church.  They don’t like intruding when others are busy trying to leave, or when others who do know each other are gathered and having such fun.  So, it has been nearly impossible for them to find one “open” young couple for introducing themselves.

(Paragraph of details about the families deleted)

These two families are two of several heavy on my heart.  I know one church can’t be all things to everyone.  I am also sensitive to the fact that (identifying details edited)   So, I am sensitive to your busy-ness and obligations but it’s being pressed HARD that you may be the person God wants to use to help nurture the (Name)  and (Name)  families.

I do understand if the answer must be “no”.   But please know that I’ve been in the most awkward and amazing state of obedience for close to three months.   I no longer ask if anything makes sense on paper.  I pray about everything and the Holy Spirit has been planting intense compulsions on my heart and ideas in my head that I know are not from my analytical brain.   Every single one that didn’t make sense to me at first, made perfect sense within two weeks.  Most within a week, some the next day. So, I don’t question His process with me anymore.  I just say, “yes, sir” and do what He leads me to do.  Only Jesus could make me write this mini novella to a virtual stranger.

Here is the latest, because it made me giggle.  A few days ago, I was praying about how my heart was hurting for people feeling unloved (not the *redacted* or *redacted* families) and asking for guidance on how to love them in a way good for them and Him.  Then, I was asking Him for strength (Nehemiah <3) because I am human and I was a wee bit frustrated  with sending repetitive emails. The gist of what was revealed is that, yes, love is a repetitive action and it is very annoying to keep asking people do anything.   Then He imparts to me that is exactly why the greatest COMMANDMENT is to love.  We are called to love in action and deed.  And He isn’t “asking.” Hence, the “yes, sir”.

Please forgive me if this seems “too much” on the surface.  If it were me, I would say “hey, can you make it a point to meet these two families and pray about how to help nurture them in our church and in their lives?   That just isn’t what He wanted.  So, out on another limb, I trust Him.  I pray it serves His purpose.   I believe it does because my heart is now joyful in obedience at a ridiculous hour.  With that, I bid you good night!

 

Fear is the ugliest Four letter Word

On By mygodroomIn hope615, obedience, prayer, UncategorizedLeave a comment

That is the word and spirit which is on my heart at 2:10 am.  My heart aches for any group of people who embrace Fear over Love.  It’s an epidemic, really.  Our kids, our country, our world.  It’s painful.  My heart is pouring tears over my face as I type.  When we are truly loving others the way we are called to love others, there isn’t much room left to allow fear.

The past two days have run the gamut of emotions.  I have known extremely high joys and felt the depths of hurt.   Thank you, Lord, for showing me WHY you needed me to hurt over this situation.   What is pushing through my heart right now is a sort of lump in my throat at the same time.  How amazing is our God?  He put me where He wanted me, called me to act, held me close and dared me to love Him and others in  new and different ways in the middle of a storm.   When I was obedient, He let His peace wash over me.  Never have I uttered words in prayer as I have today:

“Father God, I do not understand why you may have planned this project to fail as it exists, but I do trust your plan is to use this potential failure to your glory.  Anxious expectation is the best phrase to define where you have me.   Thank you for removing my defenses and just letting me love every person involved to the best of my ability today.  My prayer is that you plant the spirit of the project in all of their hearts.  You tell us it doesn’t matter who does the planting or watering, only you can make things grow.  Grow us all ,Lord, in your way, in your time, to your purpose.  I love you.

Confession

On By mygodroomIn anger, blessings, music, obedience, prayerLeave a comment

Mark has a 1991 New International Version Bible.  If you search the NIV today, the word “confess” is not present.  However, when I opened his Bible this morning, Romans 10:10 said, “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

I am fairly certain no one on this earth could understand the depth of what I felt this morning better than Mark.  He completely understood that out of the entirety of every word on that page, the word “CONFESS” took me back to our conversation yesterday morning.  I believe God is leading me to really look deeply at the subject and necessity of confession.  Scratch that, I believe He is leading US to look at it.

romans10v10

Yesterday, there was an intense, yet brief, period of disagreement between myself and my children.   They are teenagers, so this is not a foreign occurrence in our home.  Still, it was exceptionally brief and intense.  As they went upstairs to sulk, pray or think about it, I was praying and seeking guidance downstairs.  Ultimately, I texted them my apology for allowing anything to impact me enough to agitate me and asked them earnestly to forgive me, sooner than later.  Texting wasn’t an ” easy way out”, it was a thoughtful one.  When my kids are irritated, the fewer the words, the better.  It is hard for them to truly hear me and look at me at the same time when they are remotely upset.  Heck, it’s hard for them to hear and look at anyone at the same time, happy or sad!   Regardless, we had a wonderful evening and Mark was unaware we had any issues before he arrived home last night.


Today,  I am praying and considering the sins which I need to confess to anyone in my life.  What can I share in the most loving of ways to shed light on any darkness I may have brought into the world?  What could I say to my mother?  What things should I share with my husband?  My children, friends, church family?  Bottom line, I do believe the “Catholics got confession right” in the spirit of needing confession.  I don’t believe one must confess to a priest.  Mark and I talked again about how the cross changed everything.  We can take it all to Jesus, yes.  But, what should we confess among ourselves?

Father God, thank you for loving me enough to give us your son, Jesus, on the cross.  Thank you for every opportunity to make restitution in our daily lives.  I pray you will use whatever is broken in me to let your light in even brighter. I pray you will reveal to us those transgressions you would most desire for us to confess.  Thank you for the talent in Jason Gray and using it to speak to my heart.   Thank you, so very much,for using me with Sarah to have her find you in “Grace Wins” by Matthew West.  Thank you for all the music, all the words, all the melodies and for the choir of every angel on this earth.I am overwhelmed with your songs and your silences, Lord.  The tears which flowed down my face this morning, knowing you are speaking me, are priceless. I am so grateful you have given me a husband chasing your heart with me, Lord!  Thank you for letting me share with our friends, again, YOUR power and grace in removing their obstacles to buying their new home.  Thank you for allowing J &D to see the new life you are blessing them with dance and wave at the doctor’s appointment this week.  Please keep this treasure safe and bring the new baby into the world in such a way that everyone will praise you as much as they do.    Knowing you used me with Sarah to bring her directly back to you in such a real way is priceless, as well.  How perfect we are worth more to you than rubies and sparrows.  Yesterday would have been my Mamaw Ruby’s 90th birthday.  Thank you for the 13 years you gave her to me, as well.  Please, Heavenly Father, keep your hand on the Tunnell’s so firmly they feel your power when their son arrives this week.  May we all sing your praises and give you thanks for all the blessings in our lives. 

 

 

 

Jude did not let me down

On By mygodroomIn blessings, hope615, prayer, UncategorizedLeave a comment

My husband and I have both been very sick with summer flu-like nonsense the past few days.  I haven’t been able to sleep because of additional female  aches and pains beyond the norm.  Still, the two hours I spent studying the Book of Jude this morning  was invigorating.


The past several weeks, God has ensured I learned exactly what He wanted me to better understand for His purpose. Much is documented here in My God Room, even when I have not been able to completely write out my thoughts or prayers. Much is discussed with my husband, as well.  Some is only captured in pictures on my phone.  Thank you, Lord, for allowing some pictures to be worth one thousand words!

Today, God used the Book of Jude to drive home a few key points :

1) BeIng saved by grace does not give us indirect permission to sin. At minimum, Jesus’ blood and suffering on the cross should humble us to be better human beings.

2) Loving others should equate to being willing to warn them of false teachers and to protect them. The devil is worse than a vehicle out of control on the roads or any physical dangers we can see.  Surely, I would pull loved ones from those dangers.  I should not have any fear about overstepping or  ensuring they know the Truth, the Way and the Light.

3.  Being willing to fight for Jesus in all things Kingdom- focused is imperative.  Nothing is more worthy of a fight!  The Bible says “contend” for His purpose.  God made sure when His people  tested His word and spirit, they would realize why he said “contend” to Jude.  At the time it was written, the Romans took their sports and games as seriously as we do those in today’s world.  Contend is in the spirit of fighting and competing!

4) God is in control.  Never forget this key truth.   He wants us to love Him and know His almighty power, Grace and mercy.

Maybe it was super- invigorating today because I read a long article last night on how to see Christ in others on  Patheos.org.   I went to bed with a humbled heart aching to be more like Jesus.  Our God is so thoughtful and powerful!!  So many of the insights He gave me during my morning study time applied directly throughout my day.


My day ran the gamut between my morning with Jude, teenage daughter drama over washing/killing her iPhone, listening to my husband’s feedback, work related challenges, suffering physical pain and great conversation with my son.  Truly, it makes my heart feel complete to know He was truly with me each step of my day.  Jude even teaches us to be merciful with unbelievers, which applied to some of the work challenges. 

Although my kids are both saved for His Kingdom, I believe God used Jude as a cushion to soften a few parenting blows today.   In fact, several conversations went very well which could have gone very poorly.

After much back and forth with my husband, I respected his view that it wouldn’t necessarily be wise to tell my son he should offer his phone to his sister for the 5SOS concert tonight.   It would be a catalyst for him to be defensive and pick an unworthy fight.  Or would it?  All day, I had the Spirit in me telling me to very much embrace a fight for Him!   I even challenged my husband  by asking if he was ever shown compassion when he made mistakes growing up.

Still, when it was time for the conversation with my son, God gave me the perfect way to encourage my son through His word and not falter in human fear based on how my son has responded in the past.  It was a simple fact to tell my son my prayer is that he and his sister both learn how to see Jesus in each other and have a desire to BE Jesus to each other.  I “fought” for Jesus with a loving Spirit guiding me.  It was such a powerful realization after it happened.   He gave me the right words to teach my son the compassion I/He desires to demonstrate without the lesson falling on deaf ears.

Thank you, Lord, for all that you do every single day for us!