Happy Tears

On By mygodroomIn gratitude, obedience, prayerLeave a comment

Once again, I am being drawn deeply into the sacred place He so often meets me. Today has been such a spirit-filled day off from work.

How amazing it was to spend a solid four hours in The Word after my hubby went to open the shop! So many lessons at His Footstool. The day began with nine people God used who were non-believers and navigated wooing, discipleship, Gods Timing and a big lesson about Revelation 6.

For now, I must confess I was not always such a prayer and praise warrior. In fact, He has transformed me to someone who no longer worries about the words He places on my tongue when praying over others. How grateful am I to have this relationship with the great I AM!

Early in my walk with Jesus, I suffered with the notion that I didn’t pray “well enough” to pray out loud over others. In recent years, that stronghold has been defeated, praise God.

So, my prayers are not always neat or polished. They come with groans, cries, and sometimes with streams of tears. Scripture assures us that these tears are not wasted—they are precious to God.

Again, I am reminded of the vision of a shot glass of useless tears and a raging stream of “good tears”.

David knew this well, too. In Psalm 55, he confesses, “I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily… Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice” (vv. 2, 17 NKJV). His pain was not hidden; he let it pour out in raw prayer. The Lord did not turn away from his brokenness but leaned in close.

Even more tender is the picture in Psalm 56:8 (NKJV):

“You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?”

What a thought—that God counts our steps when we wander in grief and collects every tear as a treasure. Each one matters to Him.

It simply blows me away to be relegated to awestruck silence.

When we stand in the gap for others—praying for prodigals, interceding for healing, crying out for a nation—the tears often flow freely. Those tears are not a sign of weakness but of deep love and Spirit-led burden. Paul reminds us that “the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26 NKJV). Sometimes our tears are part of that Spirit-filled intercession.

And here’s the promise: tears sown in prayer lead to joy. “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy” (Psalm 126:5 NKJV). God not only gathers our tears but transforms them into a harvest of rejoicing.

So I don’t hold back the tears when praying for others. Heaven is listening. Heaven is collecting. Heaven is preparing joy on the other side. I pray this blesses whoever may read these words. 💜✝️💜

Sister Pam

On By mygodroomIn blessings, prayer, WooLeave a comment

On July 4th, Pam Bacani shared on Facebook that she had been baptized again—ten years after her first baptism. She went to a Kayla Gabbard “Meet Me in the Water” event and I caught her post. Her testimony of growth resonated with me on a deep level. While out of my fleshly comfort zone, I messaged her privately and extended an open invitation to be our guest in Tennessee.

More than two months later, she replied and offered to send me two books she had written. It was such a an unexpected offer and I was at peace giving her our home address.

Arriving home last night, I was tickled to see a box with her return address. When I opened the books, she had written: “May He woo you to Himself and hold you close as you seek to rest…”

The word WOO stopped me in my tracks—because just the day before, I had written about the many ways God woos us. I sent her a note and shared that post. This morning, I woke to a lovely voice message which served as “double confirmation” that confirmation works both ways!

God promises, “I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams ron the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring” (Isaiah 44:3). And Paul reminds us that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5).

It reminded me of Genesis 8:4–5, when after the flood, the ark came to rest, and three months later the mountain tops appeared as the waters abated.

Since May 8, it has felt like a flood—God pouring so much through me at once, overwhelming and unstoppable. But now, the waters are receding, the peaks are coming into view, and I can see more of where He is leading.

What God has done here is remarkable: in His timing, He not only pours out but also draws us in, wooing us closer, and letting us glimpse the mountaintops beyond the flood.

In and Out: Pouring

On By mygodroomIn blessings, marriageLeave a comment

Scriptures on Pouring Out

These passages emphasize our response to God—offering ourselves, our prayers, or our lives as an outpouring.

Philippians 2:17 – “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”

2 Timothy 4:6 – “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.”

Psalm 62:8 – “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”

Lamentations 2:19 – “Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the night watches! Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord!”

1 Samuel 1:15 – Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord.”

Scriptures on God Drawing In and Pouring Into Us

These show God’s initiative—His drawing us to Himself and pouring His Spirit, love, or blessings into us.

Jeremiah 31:3 – “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. I will draw you in.”

John 6:44 – “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”

Isaiah 44:3 – “For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.”

Joel 2:28 – “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh…”

Romans 5:5 – “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Titus 3:5–6 – “…he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.”

This list is brought to you by a nudge to remember what my husband said about “five by five” during our first visit to Creekmont.

Perhaps someday, I will search all “pouring out” scriptures posted in MyGodRoom. Today is not that day.

Today, I am praying for clarity on how to share two books sent to me as a blessing. In the midst of that God-directed task, this was the pause.

I love how He works so closely with me when I am isolated and alone, like today at home. Thank you, Jesus!

Nine is Divine

On By mygodroomIn Josiah, obedience, PaganLeave a comment

In recent weeks, I have written about Daniel, Cyrus, Esther and more. This morning, my husband flipped my Bible to 2 Chronicles 35 The study notes grabbed my attention. Thank you, Father God.

The Bible is full of moments when God’s voice breaks through in unexpected places—not just through prophets and priests, but through kings, pagans, even enemies. Over and over, He reminds us that His sovereignty is not bound by human categories.

Pharaoh Neco warned Josiah not to meddle, and the chronicler tells us his words were “from the mouth of God” (2 Chronicles 35:20–24). Josiah refused, and it cost him his life. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon received dreams of empires and of his own humbling (Daniel 2; Daniel 4), showing God’s rule over all nations. Abimelech, a Philistine king, was warned in a dream to protect Sarah, convicting Abraham himself (Genesis 20). Balaam, a pagan diviner, opened his mouth to curse but could only bless (Numbers 22–24). Cyrus of Persia was stirred to send Israel home and rebuild the temple (Isaiah 45:1; Ezra 1:1–4), though he never knew Yahweh personally.

God also spoke through Pharaoh’s dreams of famine, leading to Joseph’s rise (Genesis 41). At Christ’s trial, Pilate’s wife was disturbed in a dream about “that righteous man” (Matthew 27:19). Wise men from the East followed a star and bowed before the newborn King (Matthew 2:1–12). Even Haman’s own household in Esther saw the writing on the wall: to oppose God’s people is to fall (Esther 6:13).

These stories differ in time and place, but together they form a striking pattern: God can and will use anyone. Kings and peasants, men and women, believers and unbelievers alike—none are beyond His reach. His purposes move through dreams, warnings, foreign decrees, even reluctant lips.

The question is not whether God can speak through outsiders. The question is: will we have the humility to recognize His voice, no matter the source?

The Old Rugged Cross

On By mygodroomIn gratitude, marriage, music, prayerLeave a comment

Yesterday, I posted “Woo Hoo”, all about how God woos us and draws us in to refine us. Today, when I arrived at the Smyrna shop, the devotional for yesterday made me *squee* a pinch. Very exciting.

Also exciting was sweet Godversation with Miss Karen, without having met her in person yet. Thank you, Jesus.

As for writing about church yesterday, I am not being directed to detail it. Mark had a great one-on-one with Thomas and I met Thomas’ wife amd daughter. For now, I must let some spiritual processing continue and ai will share about one of the songs we sang yesterday.

Rather helpful, as I posted the following to Facebook yesterday, while writing about wooing here:

George Bennard performed The Old Rugged Cross on June 7, 1913, after meditating on John 3:16 and needing to express his understanding in song. I will link a full story behind the hymn HERE.

We sang the hymn today at Creekmont Church. I was nudged when we sang:

“A wondrous beauty I see; For ‘twas on that old cross—Jesus suffered and died—To pardon and sanctify me.”

The nudge was a response to the word ‘sanctify’, calling back to Jesus’ prayer from John 17:17, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

Yessir! The Word of God and the work of the cross are inseparable to me. Together, they are how God sanctifies us—how He takes us from brokenness to holiness, from wandering to belonging with Him.

Considering this morning began with a lesson on how the Master of the Universe woos us, I consider myself most appropriately wooed. 💜✝️💜

Woo Hoo!

On By mygodroomIn obedienceLeave a comment

I woke up this morning feeling wooed. That word has been echoing in my heart, and it’s exactly what Job 36:16 says:

The Hebrew word here is סוּת (sut), which means to incite, entice, or draw out. The image is not of God forcing or driving us, but of Him gently, persistently pulling us out of trouble and into freedom. He woos us—away from the jaws of distress and toward a wide-open place of life.

Wooed Through the Fire

This connects deeply with the image of fire, dross, and refining. When silver or gold is heated, the impurities rise and are removed as dross. leaving what is pure. Sometimes all we see is the soot and dross—the blackened remains of what was burned away. But those ashes testify that the Holy Spirit’s refining fire has passed through.

To be wooed is to be invited into that process: God is not scolding or condemning us; He is drawing us, lovingly, into the fire that purifies. What feels like burning is actually refining, preparing us for what remains.

Where Else Does God Woo Us?

This idea of God “wooing” or “drawing out” is found throughout Scripture:

Hosea 2:14 — “Therefore, I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.” (Here the verb is פָּתָה, patah—to entice, allure. Another wooing word.)

Jeremiah 31:3 — “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn (mashak) you with unfailing kindness.”

Psalm 18:19 — “He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.”

Song of Solomon 1:4 — “Draw me after you; let us run.” John 6:44 — “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them…”

Revelation 3:20 — “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…”

Each of these passages echoes the same heartbeat: God draws us, not by compulsion but by love.

Why I Feel Wooed

This morning, I felt overtly wooed. Not the heavy hand of judgment, but the gentle pull of love. He is drawing me out of what confines, away from the soot (sut #ISWYDT) and the dross, and into His spacious place.

The cross sanctifies me, and the Word—“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17)—reminds me that sanctification is both fire and “water-wooing”.

Holy fire removes the dross and Holy Water woos us into His cleansing. The Spirit does both, perfectly.

I want to let myself be drawn into deeper waters with Him. Somewhere in My God Room, I have written it’s always safe to snorkel with Jesus.

I will find that old post another time. I will also share about today’s service, message and more on a separate post. Given the message and how I was nudged singing The Old Rugged Cross, it deserves a separate post.

Oh, sweet Jesus, how I love you. Help me love you better each day. Thank you for reminding me how to find this old post from August 7, 2016. More than nine years ago, you planted this vividly on my heart and entrenched it into the spirit you have given me. I love you.

Waterslides and Wonder

On By mygodroomIn gratitude, obedienceLeave a comment

Meeting Marcus and Brad from Missouri was a blessing. The 120 bucks was a nice sale, yet the Godversation is the treasure. Marcus commented about how pleasant it was to just talk to another human. The topics changed and ultimately, he REALLY appreciated my stating the obvious about why race was a non-important factor in our Godversation.

Simply standing on a simple little truth burst the entire Godversation wide open. Thank you, Father God.

Suddenly, I am mentally and spiritually back in Judges 7 from this morning. I am pondering Gideon and how God moved through him.

Nikita is bringing me my “Welded Heart” today. Lord, may it make my heart dance to your beat and may the words out of my mouth praise and point to you.

Ok. I have returned after receiving this piece and I am struggling for words. Quickly, I see I didn’t finish typing my prayer out. Since everything I ask is always in the powerful name of Jesus, I don’t think it’s a prayer issue.

While I appreciate the craftsmanship and time spent, this is not anything like the welded heart I described to Nikita last month.

I wear a heart necklace and one of two crosses around my neck each day. The vision was a barbed wire looking heart with a cross rising out of it- similar to how I wear my necklaces. Part of the heart would appear extra protected and part would be open.

Tears traversed my face. I couldn’t understand them in the moment. In retrospect, I think I understand the source.

Like everything, He is the source. Duh! She could tell I wasn’t thrilled with her effort, despite my attempt to be gracious in disappointment. She was clear she had zero desire to keep it, as she is not a Christian. She refused to let me pay for it, too.

It makes me sad to hear someone say they literally do not know a single person who would appreciate a cross. She said she does not know any Christians. None. She was painfully clear on the point and it pained me.

I am reminded of all I have experienced with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit since beginning this Daniel study on April 30.

So many God moves, it makes my head spin.

So much dross removed.

I am grateful.

Loving Enemies

On By mygodroomIn gratitude, marriage, obedienceLeave a comment

There is a Jesus Calling devotional in our Master Closet and the long form tabletop version of Jesus Calling is in our kitchen.

I failed to read either at home today, as Mark and I were enjoying an in-depth chat about Psalm 143 and blessing our perceived enemies with prayer. I needed to get cleaned up and get to work

Much of what my husband said is in our Smyrna shop devotional Today’s message in One Minute with God 💜✝️💜.

Today, we was like an extra sweet hug from Jesus to read this devotional.

Rather than give life to a negative thought, I praise God for giving me the answer four days ago to stand on His Word this morning. Praise, praise and more praise!

I posted about Judas yesterday. This was a second post on my Facebook page :

I woke to this response and a heavy heart as a result.

It continued with my exact response from four days ago. Reading it now, again, I am convicted He gave me the answer in advance. What else could I have said other than what He clearly gave me?

Nathalie Anne , it’s okay if we disagree as humans. Please understand I am always going to defer to the example of our Savior, Jesus. We are all broken and all need a savior. Jesus was interceding for ALL of humanity on that cross.

Reading your prayer, I had no choice except to speak up for those you seemed to exclude. I didn’t realize just how intentional the exclusion until your response. Jesus is our eternal intercessor according to Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25.

Reading your comment this morning, there isn’t a better, shorter or different response. I have no scales of bad or good people. I am grateful to know The One who owns the scales of justice. He is clear to pray for our enemies, too.

Nathalie, bad fathers are not going to begin their “good arc” without God. So, yes, I will continue to pray for ALL parents to be compelled to know better, do better and be better. I will also pray for all single people the same. I will pray for addicts to meet Jesus and to be delivered from addiction in all its forms. The list is endless and always inclusive.

Praying for all who love Jesus to reveal that love in truth and action. 💜✝️💜

I love you, too.

Thank you, Father God, for the comfort and peace today. Thank you for reminding me of big truths in small ways, too. I love seeking you in everything.

A Little Judas

On By mygodroomIn gratitude, Judas, obedienceLeave a comment

Betrayal comes in many forms . Praise God, I was blessed with a call from Miss Futina this morning. I heard how she was betrayed and my heart was cracked open. Answered prayer, especially before we close this store at the end of October.

Lord, you have all my praise and thanksgiving, please send a few more of my “stranger angels “ back into the store before we close up shop here and return solely to our original store. Hugging them would bless me. In Jesus name, amen.

Driving to work, I heard a song for the first time. I should not be surprised it’s five years old, or from Hill Song . The Lord has been clear with me on NAR and other musical nonsense. When He gives me a song, I am listening intently. This was used beautifully and my husband loved it, too.

Living means different things to different people. I am only living because of my relationship with Jesus. Modeling my life after His makes PERFECT sense to me.

This morning, moved by the Spirit through Futina’s call and “This is Living”, I posted scripture and a sentence on Facebook.

I have been praying for Father God to reveal the next piece of dross which must be removed from me. It seems to be related to Judas, which is both biblical and a necessary reminder.

We all have a little bit of Judas in us, since none of us are perfect.

Where is “my Judas” trait? For that answer, just like every other question under the sun, I go to scripture.

Scripture told us long before Jesus came that the Savior would be betrayed. “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9). Judas sold Him for thirty pieces of silver, just as Zechariah foresaw (Zechariah 11:12–13). The Psalms even prayed, “May another take his office” (Psalm 109:8), fulfilled when Matthias replaced Judas in Acts 1.

But Judas is not just a figure in history—he is a mirror for our hearts. Every time we love money more than Christ, every time we complain about how someone else worships, every time we choose self over surrender, we let a little bit of Judas creep back in. That’s why Proverbs says, “Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel” (Proverbs 25:4). The Lord, like a refiner’s fire (Malachi 3:2–3), keeps burning away the greed, envy, and pride that would betray Him.

We must face the truth: there is a Judas streak in all of us. But the good news is that God never stops refining. He promises, “I will remove the heart of stone… and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). Daily, He calls us to let Him skim away the dross, until the only thing left is His love shining pure in us.

Let YOUR LIGHT shine, Lord. More Jesus and less Carol is always the best equation. 💜✝️💜