Friday, January 06, 2012

Secret Place - 2012 Memorial Stone

Nearly every year for quite a few years God has graced me with a word. One word (sometimes a short phrase) which clues me in to the conversations and paths Jesus and I will share in the upcoming season. This has become more meaningful to me than New Year's Resolutions (though I do love me some goals).  I have come to term these Memorial Stones - you can read the list at the tab above. You can read more about this here  as well (no reason to write it all again).

Abba, Daddy God, has already been meeting, encouraging, challenging, motivating me around the word for the year. In theology speak it would be "sanctuary"...in De'Etta speak God has been sharing with me about a "secret place" or "secrecy".....

Psalm 91.1 Dwelleth Secret Place Shadow Almighty

For an extrovert, who has lived most of life in front of public scrutiny (PK, MK, married a pastor) and has embraced the fish bowl, I was astonished in September of this year to find I was CRAVING solitude. I wanted to find a place where NO ONE knew my NAME, NO ONE knew my POSITION, NO ONE knew my FAMILY, NO ONE NEEDED me or had EXPECTATIONS of me.... I wanted to be anonymous. This became a near driving need.  Those close to me heard me say several times, "I want to go hide in a cave," or "Nov 14th, I'm crawling into the cave."  (Yes, I've heard my hubs speak on Elijah in the cave and THAT is what I craved. I understand Elijah).  I was o.k. with the idea of solitude.  In fact I was counting the days until my leadership position would end and I planned to crawl away to rest - for a good long time. Into this countdown, my wise husband calmly asked, "Have you PRAYED about whether you are to be willing to serve another term?"

No, I hadn't. It took a dear prayer warrior and three weeks before I was ready to say, "OK - show me a verse". I got the water in the desert and my plans aren't your plans verses (as I studied the SERMON ON THE MOUNT with Precept). Those are always trouble. Each verse also had a promise of joy - and going forth with dancing and shouting.  God began to give me glimmers of vision for another couple of year's of service...BUT I was MOVING in 6 months....I couldn't get away from it and submitted an "application" and decided the selection team would hear from God...I just had to obey. I told them we were scheduled to leave in July 2012....but we'd asked for an extension. They selected me. I cried, I really, really , really well.....it was simply hard. I wanted to hide and God was requiring more leadership.  But the verses assured me there would be joy!

I left for 4 weeks of travel in the states....God lovingly began to speak to me...Sweetly...dearly....You can read more about this time in the post -  Hidden Treasures/Rest. There has been so much...but secrets are intimate and confidential...and I'll share as I feel released to do so. The bottom line is that God met me and has lovingly showed me things I've known for years at a deeper level about resting, hiding, the Secret Place.


The following is from Dr. Zodhiates' Complete Dictionary of Word study in Pocket Bible.

"secret/hidden" - Strongs 2927 - Kruptos - hidden, concealed, secret, in secret where one cannot be seen by others, to be covered.  


"sanctuary" -  place set apart and consecrated as holy  - also served as a refuge and asylum....


If I MUST choose one word - it would be sanctuary.  I tend to like "Secret Place" or "Secret Sanctuary" better. LOL 

As I shared in Hidden Treasures/Rest -  "In the midst of a public season, taking time to be hidden with Christ in the secret place is my lifeline, the solace and rest I crave. This is the  "cave" Abba Father lovingly grants  in this public season where I'm not allowed to "go anonymous".  I can be hidden/anonymous every time I enter the "secret place" with Him."




I've gone there often these past two months. My journal pages are full of sweet lessons. He is becoming my secret place, my sanctuary in ever-deeper ways....the great thing is He was before...but His mercies are NEW to us every morning. I'm refreshed. I'm peaceful.


Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sowing to the Spirit

God  graces me with  an annual  word –a memorial stone – enticing me to follow His unique leading.  I have learned to prayerfully evaluate my life in light of the work God is doing. I wonder if you might care to join me in a few moments of prayerful evaluation as we consider Galatians 6:7-10.

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked ; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to theSpirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. NASB

I’m not a farm gal; God has set me down in the midst of rice patties, wheat fields and cabbage patches these last couple of years.  I’m observant.

Farming  is a lot of work. Hard ground must be plowed up and prepared to receive seed. Planted fields must be cultivated.  Are you willing to allow Abba  free reign to break up hard areas in your life? Will you cooperate with Him in nourishing  the  plantings in your life? Some seasons’ planting seem to painfully require reserves beyond our strength.

Farmers are not easily fooled about what they’ve planted in each field. What is planted will eventually be harvested. Farmers have a distinct plan for each field in which seed is scattered.  Do you?  Will your seeds produce ruin and decay? Or are you following His lead in your daily plantings? If so, you WILL reap a life characterized by the eternal.

There are times when fields seem dormant.  In  the spring green onion shoots are sure to sprout here – I saw the planting. There is no evidence of that harvest this snowy December.  At the right time there will be a harvest!

Don’t lose heart! Rest in Him who IS  our secret dwelling place and He will bring times of refreshing. Are you planting things of the spirit in your home, marriage, PWOC, work place? Are you waiting for a harvest which hasn’t materialized yet.  It WILL – in the proper, due, opportune time! I eagerly anticipate the reports of harvest in Asia Region

Alicia Brit Chole shares, “What grows from painful planting is God’s business. But sowing in faith is ours and our faithfulness is never sown in vain.”

We aim to simply  follow His lead in sowing to the Spirit.  

First shared at pwoc.org on Asia Region's Page

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Lessons I've Learned as a Regional President

In a little over a week we will begin the inaugural Asia Region Conference.  The pace is a bit frenzied…nevertheless, I find myself in a reflective frame of mind.  I’m in awe of the way Abba Father has gently led our leadership team. We’ve been challenged as we established procedures, navigated “natural disasters,” dealt with life changes, we’ve seen God provide every need – we’ve grown closer to our Father.

In this last Presidential Blog of 2009-2011, I bring you “Lessons I’ve Learned as a Regional  President.”

14.  All women snore; a true friend will comment on your “feminine snore” and offer to room with you at the next event.

13.   Even deployments are better when savoring a rich, chocolaty molten lava cake with friends! This pleasure can be enjoyed around the world and is truly board bonding at its best!

12.   PWOCI conferences are planned to coincide with the Asian Typhoon Season – plan accordingly.

11.  Three minutes of animated Japanese can be translated to three short words, “SIT DOWN IMMEDIATELY."

10.   Noise reduction headphones are essential on long flights – and may possibly help with the snoring thing as well.

9.  Sisters of the heart are priceless – especially when facing a Korean gate guard.

8. Wear your passport around your neck at all times, you never know when you’ll need it!

7. Apple juice and Airborne are essential tools in fighting jet lag.

6.  ALWAYS slide the vacant/occupied lock on airplane bathroom doors. It’s wise to double check this. Seriously.

5.  It’s nice to have a friend screaming at your side when you encounter Korean snakes in the dark. Sadly, you may not be able to count on PWOC sisters to race to your rescue.

4. Molten Lava cakes can travel from Tokyo to Seoul on dry ice.

3. Earthquakes, tsunamis, life changes, surprise pcs’…happen. God can be trusted. ALWAYS – even with children whom you can’t get home to.  Semper Gumby.

2.   It is possible to fervently love women you’ve only met via email.

1.  God always provides others to come alongside as you wait on Him for His provision in leadership.  

The lessons learned and personal growth in my life as your President has been priceless. Thank you for your gracious acceptance and love.

As we look to the next two years in Asia Region, I am convinced God is calling ladies to step out and experience the adventure of regional leadership . If you suspect you may be one of these ladies, please read the letter from Cathy..... 

It’s my heart that we each continue to Love God Wholeheartedly and Love Others Deeply!

Asia Region Rocks!

First shared at pwoc.org on Asia Region's page 


Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...