Did you see the movie “Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade?” Do you remember the scene where Indy had to find where the holy Grail was kept? He had to go through three challenges to get to the cup. The last challenge required him to trust that a bridge was in front of him, in spite of it being invisible to his eyes. He had to have faith to step out, even though all that he saw was a great divide between where he stood and the other side. The divide was too big to jump, so he had to believe that there was a walkway.

You know the rest. He did it, he stepped out. Of course, he’s Indiana Jones! He ended up where he wanted to be, found the true Grail, and all ended well for the good guys in the end.

This is how my life is going now. I am walking brand new paths and stepping out into the unknown, trusting that there will be a place for my feet to walk. God has been speaking. I have no other recourse but to listen to Him, and I am eternally grateful for what He’s doing. He has put me in a place where it’s quiet and still. I have never felt such peace, and that’s because I have been removed from my being busy for Him. I was in His Holy Kitchen making food with The Chef as He fed us all. He took my hand and said, “Come with Me and sit down at My Table.” There it is again – His Table…

He is The God Of New Things! Is this scary? You bet. Is this beautiful? You bet. Is this fruitful? You bet. I have never felt such peace in my life. Such joy. Such Presence.

Please know this: I have done nothing to deserve His kindness. I am so flawed it isn’t funny. The only thing I have done is to be more obedient to what He says to me, to the way He leads me during the day, and to His still, small voice. I still go my own way sometimes, so don’t get the idea I’ve got this down. Ha! No.

But one thing I have found out: when I seek Him, His Voice, His Presence – He’s always here! He is with me and He always waits for me to gaze at Him. It’s just that I’m gazing more, listening more, because He has placed me on a new pillow at a low Table in the Throne Room. At His Feet, I gaze up at His Beautiful Face and listen. “Please Lord, help me to stay here with You…” It’s peaceful to be low at His Feet.

It’s been a journey to get here…going over some hard hurdles, through some interesting hoops, and past weird challenges, which made me think of that scene in the movie. God says “Follow Me.” So I am doing that and the journey is now in places I am not familiar with at all. On we go…

God is asking someone reading this today to follow Him to a brand new place. Are you that person?

Please use this post as a confirmation that He is speaking to you and wants you to go with Him on a new path. Begin today! Begin now! Don’t delay…sit with Him and quietly listen today. He will tell you the next step, you will perceive it. He loves you more than anyone in the universe and will guide you to where you will find complete joy, which is in Him. Remember our lesson: little by little He will guide you. One day at a time, one step at a time you will walk with Him on your new path.

Here’s your sword against the enemy’s obstacles that are thrown in your way: “For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?” Isaiah 14:27 Remember that you must SPEAK it out loud.

I am praying for you. God says there is a walkway even though you can’t see it. Trust Him and step out!

I have a bug bite on my toe that has become infected, and the infection has spread up my leg a bit. For a few days now I’m having to sit with my foot up as it heals. I have been seen by the medical people and am on meds. Little by little it’s getting better…but only little by little. If I could have a magic wand I’d wave it over my foot and say “presto chango!” Then it would be whole. HA HA…what an idea!

If there’s one thing I know it’s that God does not work on our time schedule. He teaches us patience whether we want to learn or not. In fact, we have to be patient in order to learn patience. It’s a lesson that’s doubled somehow because learning it will require some of it. Think of patience as a perfume. We put a teaspoon of patience that He has already given us into His Hand and then He adds a tablespoon to it. In time we’re putting a tablespoon in His Hand and He adds a cup. This goes up a bit at a time and before we know it we’re pouring vats of it on His Lap and He adds the ocean to our vats!

In doing this we learn how to “wait on the Lord.”

Why do we have to wait like this? I’ve asked God this question on tons of occasions and there’s one verse that sticks out to me that I want to share with everyone. I said, “I want this NOW and you’re holding back! You know that I need to have this, I know You want me to have this, what’s the deal?”

Here is what God said to my heart. He gave me Exodus 23:27-30. The backstory is that God is instructing His people on what will happen when they go into the Promised Land. Part of His words are these:

²⁷ “I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run. ²⁸ I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way. ²⁹ But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. ³⁰ Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.”

So now when I moan about God being slow, The Spirit stamps those words into my mind: “Little by little…”

There are many reasons why God chooses to take His time in your situation. One is to strengthen your faith. He isn’t a Genie. Another is that He spaces out the temptations you’ll face and the battles you’ll fight and overcome. One day at a time, one battle at a time, and one victory at a time. Each battle is different. In one you’ll need to speak scripture, using the “sword of The Spirit.” In one you’ll need to hold your “shield of faith” up. In one, you’ll need to kick your feet that have shoes of “the gospel of peace.” The battles are all different and you’ll learn how to fight as you listen to The Spirit tell you what to do. The perfume of patience increases with each battle.

Once God told me, “Ivy, you will not move My Hand.” I can take you to the place in Apex where I heard this word. It’s hard to try NOT to help Him. Now isn’t that funny? Hey y’all…let’s help God know that He needs to hurry! Ha! Now of course we need to pray these words…it’s important to pour our hearts out to Him. Everything we feel, everything we need to say, we have to say. I still say in my prayers, “God! I need this now – please!!” And sometimes again I see those words. “Little by little…” Sometimes He gives what I asked for that very day! Again, God knows how to time things properly.

He knows our hearts and loves us in the middle of our moaning and groaning. But when we go along with His Spirit and His timing, then we find that things are new and different and beautiful. The wait is more than worth it in the end. More than worth it.

I’m writing this on my front porch, sitting in the rocking chair, with my feet up. It’s raining gently, a sweet and fragrant summer rain. I wish you were here, too. God reminds me in every drop that He will supply all of my needs like rain, pouring down from His Throne everything I need this day and every day. As the rain slows down, the sky is getting lighter and the dark gray clouds have passed by. The breeze lasts a long time and I breathe it all in. In time He brings my healing. Physically, mentally, and spiritually, He provides healing. He is Jehovah Rapha – The God Who Heals. He is here with me. I feel His Presence.

He is with you even now. Take a moment to breathe in His Breath – the oxygen that you breathe came from Him in the beginning. As I’ve written before, you breathe His breath every moment of your life. Try to remember that often. Walk with Him this day and lean on His wisdom for your patience. One day at a time you’ll receive everything you need.

Jesus. He’s Everything you need… Amen.

From time to time during the week, I will receive a word from The Spirit to post. Here is what somebody needs to hear today: Sometimes God will interrupt you – your thoughts – your speaking – your plans. Go with The Spirit because He is pointing to something better for you. You can depend on God!

Today is, for some, the Feast Of The Transfiguration Day. August 6th. As I was reading the Transfiguration in scripture, I saw, in neon, that God The Father interrupted Peter as he was talking about making tents. God will come along sometimes and reroute you to another thing. Pay close attention to The Spirit, because where He’s leading will bring better fruit. Better. Fruit. Trust Him, one step at a time.

Where is your focus today? Follow The Spirit as He leads you.

So there’s something sweet happening around here. Snatches of joy and strange new perceptions of grace. Happy things that can’t be defined.

I only know that it’s the Holy Spirit. There’s nothing I can say other than that…I know that I know.

To sense His Presence you must be willing to place yourself in the position to be open to receive Him. He wants you to hear His Voice and is ready to teach you how to listen and hear Him. The Spirit is like the wind. We don’t see it, but we see the effects in the trees and feel the effects on our skin. If you’re willing, He comes in like a Dear Friend that puts His Arm around you and guides you along. Sometimes the wind blows hard and fast. Sometimes it blows gently. He guides you both ways.

Ruach is the Hebrew word for God’s Spirit. Ruach was the One hovering over the waters before the world was formed. In scripture, Ruach was the One that was always silently moving and working both behind the scenes and in front of man’s eyes, from beginning to end. He hasn’t stopped. He’s still moving and working in those ways. Ruach is the part of God that does not call attention to Himself. He is deep and patient. Oh, how He is patient! The Epitome of Benevolence…the Crescendo of God’s Song, because at Pentecost He fell on all who believed the gospel of Jesus. He still falls today; and as more people run into God’s Arms, His Holy Song grows louder.

The Spirit of God is the One whom we don’t talk much about, I think because we don’t know what He will do in any given situation. Now a person can say that the Spirit is truly doing what God said. The Spirit points to Jesus. He quietly does this and has done it since time began. He is our Advocate, our Champion. He is our Teacher. He is our Comforter. He is everywhere. He is around us and in us and He loves us in a way we don’t understand. His love is sure and eternal. He is Beautiful. He is Reality.

He is Truth and can be depended upon for anything. He loves to do everything that you do in life. He enjoys all kinds of work and longs to come alongside you to live life with you. He is your Salvation – but so much more! So very much more! I have learned that He loves to wash dishes, clean things up, do yard work, make art, decorate, cook, shop, enjoy music, dance, laugh, sing, and show me how to do all of that while we’re doing it together.

He is “Other” and yes, He is strange. He leads you to unique places and if you follow Him, He will teach you those things that will make you grow to be more like Christ. He is the Comforter Extraordinaire, knowing how to hold your heart when you are sad and low. He sits with you while you curl up and pats your back, holds your hand, and wraps you in His Arms.

He created you and knows your mind. He knows what you need and when you need it. He is ready to pour out His Living Water on you, like a great waterfall, a flood of no end. He wants to be with you! And being with you brings joy to Him. Think about it. You – little old you – can bring joy to God’s Own Heart!

I could write about The Spirit of God for hours. I won’t, but suffice it to say that He is close now while I write. I know He’s close by where you are, too. He is right with you now, sitting by your side. How He does that I don’t understand. But what I do know is this: The Spirit of God is truly our Breath. Our Holy Ruach.

Every time we breathe, we take in His Breath. It was He that breathed into man’s nostrils, so He is our Breath, our oxygen. These days as I remember this, I stop and breathe in deeply. God’s Own Breath. Right into our lungs, right into our lives, right into our hearts.

I’ve written many of these words on this site already, but I have to rewrite them, because I deeply want you to know what I know. He is the Reality…He is Life!

May your week be blessed with a fresh breeze from God’s Spirit, from the rising of the sun to the setting of the same. Enjoy His Presence…

I thought that I was “kinda” finished with this work, but God has other ideas. There’s something new in the air, something fresh and real around me. I can’t fully describe it, except to say that “it’s a Spirit thing…it’s a holy nudge.” This website has been here and there but it’s something different now. The Spirit has pointed out this website to me for 12 days. He has confirmed this over and over in that time. Today, he confirmed it once again. He seems intent on me working with Him again in this way…and I have found that obedience brings peace in my heart and soul.

My ride is bumpy sometimes because of being bipolar, so the old posts are dated in wacky ways. Those of you who fit the mental description get it. Others may not, and that’s okay. But y’all…this time is weirdly different. This time there is something new here…something fresh. God’s “ruach” (breath) is all over it in a new way. I have come to learn recently that every time I take a breath I’m breathing in His Actual Breath. The Spirit Of God breathed the world in place with His Words, and then breathed into mankind with His Own Breath. So the wind and air are actually His Breath. And when I remember this new teaching, I breathe in deeply, and while I do it, I thank God for being my Breath.

I plan to post on Mondays if anyone wants to follow along with a fellow bipolar daughter-of-The-King. I have no idea how God will tweak things on this site. I don’t know what He has in store. Only that this is a teeny online place for some to find peace, joy, and healing words from The King. Please know that He is The Architect, He is The Planner, and I am only the builder.

There’s a story that I penned a while back on this site that I invite you to read or to use as a two-week devotion. I pray that you can find some words of solace in it; God uses all kinds of things to glorify His Name and bring healing.

You’re welcome to send me an email and say hello. I must reply short and sweet…like my name. I’m praying for everyone who stops by.

So away we go with God’s Spirit… I’m glad we’re walking together on this path. May God bring joy to you this very day while showing you His Presence! (Do you realize that He is at your side, right this very minute, as you read this? He’s Breathing on you and in His Breath there is Life!) OH, I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!

I have my weapon! Do you? Have you received a verse to claim right now? Remember to speak it OUT LOUD! Here is mine:

“The LORD is near to all who call on Him. to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desire of all who fear Him; He also hears their cry, and saves them. The LORD watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.” Psalm 145:18-20

I need to remember right now that Yahweh is near. He is present in every moment. He is closer than the marrow in my bones, filling me up to overflowing as I allow Him access…and this truth melts my heart.

My. God. Is. Near. Me. Right now…

So I will be reading this over and over and speaking it out loud during the days ahead, as The Spirit plants it in my mind and heart.

As for you, will you do the same and be healed?

Good Monday Afternoon…

Have you been going through wacky days lately? I have. All last week is a blur in my mind. I don’t know if things are really any different…I mean we’re fine and all, and making it through really well. But it seemed like last week there was a crack in the universe or something. Ha!

So I didn’t post last week because I was doing my best just to get through it. If there are any folks out there going through a manic phase, please count me in as a member of the club. In fact, I’ve been a member of this one for awhile now. And it’s okay, because on this roller coaster, I have Jesus in the car riding along with me. His Presence gives me joy, hope, and strength, and peace.

For many people in “normal” times, spring brings mania along with warmer temperatures. With the beautiful weather, blue skies, birds, butterflies, and longer days – what’s not to love about it all? Happiness and joy are everywhere. It’s the reminder that summer is coming, memories of being in school. Those memories recharge my mental batteries. Nobody ever grows out of spring fever. I think it may even heighten as a person gets older, but it never goes away. School’s out! And mania is spring fever on steroids.

But in this time of COVID-19, there is an unusual and strange twist. Not only are thoughts coming like machine-gun fire – ideas, things to do and not to do, projects that are over-the-top – but the twist is that the regular way to do things can’t really be done. There’s another layer to think about, and that can throw everything into a maelstrom.

This week it’s supposed to be rainy. Yay. (Eye roll here.) Now spring rain is really wonderful. It’s sweet to know that God is watering the earth; that’s what helps to make it all so green. (Did you know that green is the color of praise?) And green is my favorite color. Anyway, rain is good and refreshing – but a deluge isn’t much fun unless you’re a duck.

So in short, this week I need to have a sharp weapon to help me. Praise be to God – He gives each one of us weapons to use in life!

Victory in life depends on our using our weapons to battle the enemy – God’s written word. As we’ve learned before, it’s about SPEAKING what The Spirit reveals to us. Satan can’t read your mind, only God is Omniscient. Only God! God knows exactly what you’re thinking all the time. Nobody else can know your thoughts.

The enemy masquerades as an angel of light. Everything he knows about you he’s learned from watching you all your life. But he doesn’t know what you’re thinking. He can suggest thoughts to you, but only God knows the working of your mind at any given moment. Suffice it to say: you must SPEAK out loud in order for your weapon to strike a blow.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

So get your weapon out. Tomorrow morning (or tonight – or NOW) ask The Spirit to show you your weapon for this week. Then:

1. Write it down! This helps to get it into your mind.
2. Read it out loud ten times.
3. Carry it around with you for awhile and read it out loud from time to time during the day. At this time, you will be on your way to memorizing it! (See you CAN memorize things – you just didn’t know that!)
4. When the enemy comes around…and he will…SPEAK your weapon! Don’t worry about what anyone thinks. SPEAK! Christ will come to your aid in less than a New York second. SPEAK!

I’m going to do this. I’ll let you know what I received. Send me an email (address on home page under contact…) and let me know what your verse is…we can DO this thing!

Remember, if you let Him, Jesus will catch the pinball in His Hand. Then your mind won’t flash, bells won’t ding, and there will be sweet peace. Ask for your scripture and….take it out of the sheath and USE IT!

God is The Light and the only One capable of teaching about light, and that is the reason to hide the following verses in your heart. Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.”

And now, The Light of The Spirit of God will point the way…

John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ “

Psalm 27:1 “The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?”

Ephesians 5:14 “This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

Again, the first thing – receive God’s Love and Company, the second thing – get lots of light! May God use these verses to draw us closer to His Heart.

Hey there, everyone!

How are you doing with the “stay at home” issue these days? It’s so hard not to see people and do things that you’re used to doing. Around here, we’re having a hard time remembering the days of the week! Is it Monday or Thursday? It can be very difficult to keep a positive mindset when every day is the same thing over and over.

We’re slowly going over the things that The Spirit is revealing to us in order to help as we are in this COVID-19 world right now. Let’s keep going!

In the morning when you rise and shine…you receive God’s Love and Company. Remember – this is vital to everything in your life from now till eternity…so doing that is number one.

The next thing is to turn on every light where you will be in the house. Open all the curtains and let as much light in as possible. It’s helpful when the weather is good to go outside and soak up the light, even if it’s cloudy. You have received The SON, now receive the sun. Light, light, and more light. It is good for you, soul and body.

Everywhere you go in the morning get those lights on as quickly as you can do so. Morning sun is good for your circadian rhythm and it will help you sleep better at night. Sunlight lifts your mood, boosts your Vitamin D and helps your immune system.

When I was a girl, I was a member of the Baptist organization for girls called Girls In Action (GA’s.) Our “watchword” was Isaiah 60:1a. “Arise, shine; for thy Light is come…” When you hear God’s word a billion times, it’s bound to stick. It’s all about Light, and light.

“Arise, shine…” “Get up, pick up your mat and walk.” God’s word is full of encouragement to get going. Tomorrow morning, do it. Get going!

Happy Monday to you, sweet friend! Did you receive God this morning?

Today’s post speaks beautiful praise to our GOD. I received it this morning in my prayer chair and knew immediately that we are to give God this gift today.

Instructions are to read it out loud to The Trinity.

The Father gave you this word and today, read it back to Him as a Monday gift to His Heart. Take the truths that you read to Christ and allow The Spirit to plant them inside your heart; the full Trinity will work as you put on this truth. May God use this word as a catalyst to grow you in wisdom and understanding. May you see God in a brand new way as you read it…a way that you have never known Him before.

Now, enjoy time with your Savior and King…

Psalm 63:1-8

A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.

¹ You, God, are my God,
    earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
    my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
    where there is no water.

² I have seen you in the sanctuary
    and beheld your power and your glory.
³ Because your love is better than life,
    my lips will glorify you.
⁴ I will praise you as long as I live,
    and in your name I will lift up my hands.
⁵ I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
    with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

⁶ On my bed I remember you;
    I think of you through the watches of the night.
⁷ Because you are my help,
    I sing in the shadow of your wings.
⁸ I cling to you;
    your right hand upholds me.

(Read it again and again, and again. Blow a kiss God’s way…and have a blessed Monday! )