Slacker or busy? . . . . Ummmm . . . Busy

Summer has hit full force and I did not make the transition from school to summer gracefully. Actually, it was a bomb and I'm just now getting back on top of life. I started several posts, one nice and neat and one honest. Both are still in my drafts! And right now, I'm not really going to talk about the last month except that I'm alive and Jesus is AMAZING! He has answered so many prayers of mine personally, of friends who are praying for big things, and of our prayer group.

Elianna Charis' name means "God has answered me with Grace." The working definition of "grace" that has meant so much to me is "God's empowering Presence." Truly, Elianna Charis is such a tangible reminder to me . . . almost daily, that I am in a season of learning, believing and SEEING that GOD ANSWERS ME. Not simply answers, but answers with HIS EMPOWERING PRESENCE. And if God's empowering Presence (Holy Spirit) is within those of us who believe in Jesus, what obstacle or plan of the enemy should prevail? It is our privilege and assignment to bring the Kingdom of God upon this earth. And when the Kingdom of God shows up through His Body. . . blind see, deaf hear, lame walk, demons flee, love pours in, broken hearts are bound up, hope is restored, strongholds are broken, Holy Spirit speaks, tangible Presence of the glory of God shows up, truth replaces lies, purpose and destiny is pulled out of people or poured in, true peace of God replaces anxiety and fear, joy replaces depression, and we just have a whole lot of FUN!

So in the bumpy transition into summer, with busyness in full swing (swim lessons, ministry, guests from all over, library days, roller skating days, chipped teeth, ear infections, 110 degree weather, park movie night, making blackberry jam, new kitty, and birthday parties) we have also experienced miraculous answers to prayer and real, tangible experiences of God's love though it's so great we'll never fully understand it! And life keeps going. Further Up and Further In!