"Conditions"

As I sit here at my computer, contemplating this blog post, I am wondering why it's been such a challenge to write lately. I mean, I love writing! Writing has always been the easiest method of communication for me...why the dry spell?

I'm not getting any direct answers, just some "random" thoughts...

Well, they're not really random since I am possessed by the Spirit of God and have purposed to take all thoughts captive as unto Christ. The thoughts running through my head are from Him. I'm simply wondering what it is He really wants me to share!

Since He gave me the title for this post right from the start, I suppose He wants me to share my most recent experience with you.

Late last week I felt myself spiralling into a pit of depression. There are many things going on in my life which have contributed to that spiral (details which I won't bore you with) however, upon recognizing what was happening, I cried out to God. I asked Him, "When did simply being Your child cease to be enough?! Why are there so many conditions to everything? I've done all I know to do!"

Ever so gently He told me that simply being His child has never ceased to be enough and that all the conditions I was feeling being piled on top of me were man's conditions; ie. "prayer life", "quiet time", fasting, having "enough" faith, "keeping the rules", etc. etc.

Over the next few days He led to me to Scriptures which speak of His kindness, His goodness, His gentleness and His unending love. He had me revisit Scriptures of the lives of renowned forefathers. He showed me how imperfect they were and how He remained faithful to them. He pointed out how He blessed them despite their short-comings. He had me read of how men fail men, yet He never fails. And most importantly, He said to me, "Lysa, I love you. I have never stopped loving you and I will never stop loving you. Remember the promises which I have made to you and hold fast to them. Run everything man says to you through the filter of my Spirit. I am good. I intend good things for you. I uplift and encourage. When I chasten, it is always with and in love. Listen to Me, Lysa and you will not be discouraged nor dismayed. My peace I give to you."

How gracious He is! I am so thankful that by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, I have direct access to my loving Heavenly Father!

And so do you dear reader. If you are struggling, I encourage you today to crawl into the lap and arms of your Heavenly Father and tell Him all about it. I guarantee you won't be sorry!

Jesus, My Friend

This week the Lord has been revealing to me how He has been taking me back to my childhood so that I can become the woman He has destined for me to be. When Jesus said to be as a little child and to have the faith of a child, He wasn’t speaking to the children who had gathered around Him but to the adults! We don’t have to tell children to act like children, they do it naturally! I think it’s interesting that we spend our time telling our children not to be silly when, maybe, we should be seeking to become as children!


At a very young age, my mom would tell me that Jesus loved me and that He was always beside me. I never doubted her, I believed it. In fact, I knew it! And I knew it because He walked with me and talked with me. I had a real, tangible friendship with Him. My mom loves to tell stories about how from the time I was about three years old I would “disappear” into our back yard and when she would go looking for me she would find me talking with Jesus. Or how, often times, she would hear me arguing with my little friends about how Jesus was playing with us even though they couldn’t see Him. I saw as a child and I believed as a child and Jesus was there!

I don’t know when I ceased to have that kind of fellowship with the Lord, but I know I came to a point about thirteen years ago where I wanted it back! I was going through a difficult period in my life and I knew that I wanted to get back to that place. In fact, it was the Lord Himself who revealed to me that I needed to get back to that place. And so it began. He was ever faithful to draw me in; closer and closer to Him.

Then, about six years ago, the Lord started me on a “regression”. I didn’t realize it at the time, I was simply thankful for all that He was doing in me. As I think back to the beginning of my “regression” I can’t help but chuckle at the way God works. I have never liked being the center of attention. I am a somewhat private person and am content with being a “wallflower”. However, upon beginning my “regression” the Lord chose to do much of it publicly. Jesus began showing Himself to me in the middle of Sunday morning church services. You might be thinking, “Well, that’s great! But how is that so “public”?” Well, it’s “public” because He wouldn’t just show Himself to me, but He would pour His love on me in such a way I would just “melt”. I would stand or sit there crying and crying; soaking in His love and in His presence. A few times it was so intense that people came up to me to see if I was okay. I often heard people whispering about me; assuming that I had some great sin or burden in my life and that was why I was crying so much! HA! Funny thing-assumption!

Anyway, after a period of time, the Lord began bringing back memories of my times with Him as a child. Not just memories though. He brought back sights, sounds, smells and feelings. He vividly showed me our times together, as if on a movie projector. All the while, whispering of how we were (and still are) making more memories together!

Jesus is such a loving Savior and Friend! Oh how He desires friends! He wants us not only to love Him as Lord, Savior and Master, but as Friend. Is He your friend?