Mom and her four grandchildren and first two great grandchildren approx. 10 years ago.

Today marked a year since my mom went home to be with the Lord. I still find myself wanting to pick up the phone and call her to tell her news of the family or even talking to her in my mind.

We were blessed to have Christelle as our mom. She always made sure that our birthdays and all holidays were celebrated together as long as she had the strength and health to cook. Family was very important to her.

A few days before this past Easter I thought how mom always had a hen and dressing along with a lot of other southern delicacies for Easter lunch after Church. She always said that we would indulge and have dressing for Easter because it was the last time we could have it before it got hot. Our family recipe for dressing which came from my mom’s mom, Ms Lucy, is in my opinion the best anywhere. I even thought of making it for Chuck and I on Easter but he had to work and I just didn’t have the oomph needed to do all that work.

However, the Lord gave me a real unexpected treat. This year after church on Easter I was asked to join a friend, Melissa,who had graciously cooked for those who had no family living close. Guess what was sitting on the counter. You guessed it, dressing. She even had her mom prepare stuffed eggs which was always a must for my nephew Matthew.

In the early morning of March 30th, 2007 I had a short dream that mom was walking into the dusk with a large angel on each side of her. I woke up and it was 4:33 am. I got up and prayed. The Lord led me to Psalm 43:3 “Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to your holy hill and your tabernacle. Vs4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise you, Oh God, my God”.

Mom passed from this world into the Kingdom of God on March 31, 2007 at 4:33 pm. We were there only a few hours before she was gone, but they are precious moments. I know there were angels that came for her and I know that she is among the cloud of witnesses. She is singing in the choir like she always loved doing and she is still interceding and cheering her family on toward the finish line. I bet she is dancing too.

Love you Mom!!

Every time I drive up to our condo and see the flowers blooming I can’t help but think of the Lord’s wonderful provisions for us. The late fall of 2007 Chuck planted some pansies in our front flower bed. For quite a while it seemed that they were not going to grow. They were not dying, but they also were seemingly not prospering either. He was concerned that they might not make it through the cold weather that was coming.

We also had some other type flowers(I forgot what they are) with pretty pink, white and purple blooms that appeared to have died back. However we did not disturb them or dig them up, we just left them alone. A group of Mums bloomed so pretty until the cold came and they appeared to have died also.

However, springtime has come and as you can see above all of the different plants(seed) are now in full bloom except the Mums and the Peony. The Mums and Peony are now sprouting up showing that they were not dead at all.

I personally have been going through some dark days the last couple of months. There are some things that are very dear to my heart that involve my family that I have been praying and believing for that I have not seen come to past. Some of these things I have been praying about for almost 40 years. I started keeping my eyes on circumstances which seem unchanging or worse rather than the promises of God. It was like looking at those flowers. If we had gone by looks we would have dug them up and thrown them away. There appeared to be no life in them. If we had dug them up then we would have missed seeing the harvest.

Luke 18:1-8 1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

The word says the enemy’s tactic in the last days will be to weary us or wear us down. I think that more describes what I have been fighting, spiritual and physical weariness. I have heard in my mind over and over, “what’s the use”. Hum, not something I would say or would the Lord. We must be close to breakthrough and the enemy wants me to dig up my seed and kill it before it can come to bloom.

One morning this week I woke up and it was 5:55. I don’t try to make a spiritual sign out of every time I wake up, but I knew in my spirit something was up. A friend,Wilma, sent me a link to Bill Johnson’s sermon on the power for increase. In that he told of how 555 kept appearing to him on his clock, addresses etc. After quite a while of waking up a that time he sat up in bed and asked the Lord loudly, “what are you trying to tell me?”. He immediately went to sleep and heard the voice of the Lord in a dream tell him ” The day of the anointing of the cancellation of debt is upon you!” For the most part this has to do with finances, but it also involves returning what has been stolen from you.

Finances is a part of my delayed answer to prayer, but more than that is health, dreams, destiny and relationships that have been stolen. Father, blow your breath on us that our strength may be renewed to fight to regain what is rightfully ours through the blood of Jesus. Father we resolve not to faint or give up.

Isaiah 40:27-31 27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God? 28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

An update on Ami Ortiz posted by Chris Mitchel, CBN News Middle East Bureau Chief

A number of people have asked for an update on Ami Ortiz. For those that may not have heard, Ami is the 15-year-old boy who was severely injured in a terror attack on March 20.

He opened a package disguised as a gift but in fact it was a bomb. The blast was so strong, car windows three stories below were blown out. Miraculously, Ami survived the blast and the critical 24 to 48 hours after the explosion.

Now, he is entering another critical stage of his recovery. Since his injuries were so traumatic, doctors put Ami in a drug-induced coma so his body could stabilize.

Now they are trying to slowly bring Ami out of this coma. It’s a delicate medical balancing act. For example, they need to wean Ami off of morphine so he can use his lungs and not develop pneumonia. But by doing so, Ami then experiences a great deal of pain.

He’s also suffering from a high fever, high blood pressure and bleeding in different parts of his body. Some of that bleeding is behind one eye and in his lungs.

The bomb contained metal shrapnel and now Ami has 10 screws embedded in his lungs. Doctors are not sure if an operation to remove the screws would do more harm than good right now.

Now that he is re-gaining consciousness, he’s also suffering from flashbacks. In addition, when they take his dressings off, sometimes this removes flesh. One of his legs was severely injured with a large loss of tissue.

Ami’s situation has motivated believers from around the world to pray for his needs. In light of Ami’s injuries, here are some suggested prayer requests:

• For Ami’s fever and high blood pressure to subside.
• For healing for his lungs and that his injured eye would be restored.
• For the restoration of Ami’s legs so this young aspiring basketball player will be able to play his favorite sport once again.
• For wisdom for the doctors as they help Ami through this difficult transition phase.
• For grace and peace upon his parents David and Leah and the entire Ortiz family.
• That the Lord will use the police to bring to justice those that committed this crime. So far, there has been no official announcement from the police..
• That the Lord will redeem this situation and continue to use what the enemy meant for evil and turn it to good.

Report from Chris Mitchel, CBN News Middle East Bureau Chief

Last Thursday, Ami Ortiz, the son of David Ortiz, an Israeli pastor came home to his Ariel home and opened a holiday package. After all, it was Purim and many people send gifts at this time of year.

Purim celebrates the deliverance of the Jews from Haman’s plan to annihilate them. In Hebrew, these holiday gifts are called “mishlo’ach manot.’ Like most brightly decorated packages at this time of year, Ami thought it was a gift. Instead it was a bomb.

The force of the blast was so strong; it shattered car windows three stories below the Ortiz apartment. The explosion tore at Ami’s young 15-ear-old frame. He suffered major injuries including second and third degree burns, shrapnel in one lung and wounds from head to toe.

At first, doctors warned Ami’s parents, David and Leah, that their youngest child of six might not survive. However, early Friday morning, he experienced what even the doctors called a “miracle” turnaround. However, he still has a long road to recovery.

The accompanying video is the news report we’ve produced on this tragic terror attack. I hope you can view it for yourself.

Ami’s father, David is well known to CBN News. We first met David about ten years ago when he spoke out on behalf of a Palestinian Christian who was being tortured by the Palestinian Authority for his new found faith in Jesus.

David has spent years sharing his faith with many Palestinian Arabs, often at the risk of his own life. David is one of the most courageous men of God I have the privilege to know. He’s had a death threat in the form of an Islamic religious edict pronounced against him and intimidating threats from ultra-religious Jews.

Despite this, he continues to share his faith for “whomever will.” At this time, I would encourage believers around the world to lift up David, his wife Leah, Ami and his entire family at this time.

Here are some specific prayer requests:

• Ami needs prayer for the full restoration of his body.
• Prayer for those responsible to be brought to justice.
• Prayer for the Ortiz family to be strengthened and encouraged in the Lord.
• Prayer that what the enemy meant for evil would be turned around for good

Monday, I rode up to the NC mountains with our friends Clark and Natasha for a day trip. Chuck had to work all of the Easter weekend including Monday. Clark and Natasha have the same love for the mountains that we do and they heard it was to snow there on Monday and they wanted to witness this last snow of the winter.

I feel that our next move will be to the NC mountains. I also know that it will be through the direction and provision of the Lord because land is very expensive there. I particularly feel drawn to an area called Jefferson and West Jefferson. It is located in the northwest corner of North Carolina. Jefferson is a little more modern in that it has a Wal-Mart and Lowes and a chain grocery store. West Jefferson is like stepping back in time. It kind of reminds me of downtown Tylertown, MS where my Mom grew up or downtown Yazoo City where my dear friend Zoe lives.

It takes a couple of hours to drive up there from Charlotte, but it did not seem that long. I was pretty yaky since I had not had a decent night’s sleep in three nights. I guess I thought if I kept talking I would stay awake. Our first stop was in Blowing Rock, NC where we stopped to visit an antique store and eat lunch at the local grill. The grill was very quaint with beautiful original wood floors and the food was delicious.

We left Blowing Rock stuffed and headed on to West Jefferson. On the drive up from Charlotte we saw very few clouds and the temperature started out in the forties. However, with each curve up the mountain the temperature was getting lower and the clouds were appearing. By the time we got to West Jefferson it was very cloudy and occasional snow flurries could be seen. Clark was the first to spot them and I laughed and patted him on the back thinking his imagination had taken over. But soon all three of us were seeing spots before I eyes and the temperature had dropped to the lower thirties.

The trees in Charlotte are in full bloom now. Red buds, Bradford pears and the peach trees in the orchards around our house are beautiful. However, up in the mountain the trees are very bear and most everything still has the look of winter. But even in winter the tops of the mountains have a blue haze and it is beautiful. You do know God lives in the mountains, right?

Once we were in West Jefferson the first stop was their local Cheese Store. They make their own cheese and butter. Natasha told me that the cheese was good, but I did not realize how good until I got home and tried it. It is the smoothest cheese that I have ever tasted. Yes Mary Lynn, even better than MS State cheese.

After loading up their trunk with cheese, Natasha and I visited several unique very expensive stores. There was one women’s clothing store that seemed like it should be in New York rather than the mountains of NC. However, that area is filled with huge homes that are just vacation homes so the people must have mucho mula. I found a group of dresses that was what I picture that I would wear if I ever get launched into the healing ministry that I so desire. It reminded me of something Katherine Kuhlman would wear, but a little more fashionable. Just dreaming!

After shopping we got back in the car and started looking for a shop on the backside(as it was called) that we were told sold Wrangler Jeans. We never located that store, but came across West Jefferson’s answer to Starbucks. Clark quickly pulled into a parking spot and we headed in to get a caffeine fix. I got a Latte that was very good and bigger than Starbucks.

Well, it was now after 3 PM and time for us to head home. Clark and Natasha had puppies at home that needed to be set free and Chuck would be home in couple of hours. Five to ten minutes into our decline it really started snowing. It was like the Lord giving them the desire of their heart. A perfect end to a great trip, sealed with the love of the Lord.

Last night those of us who have been meeting and praying for Vision For Israel were invited to Edgar and Indira’s home to celebrate Good Friday Shabbat. Chuck was also invited and was looking forward to going, but he was almost 3 hours late getting off work and had to get up early this morning to go again so wisdom kept him home.

Shabbat starts at sundown Friday night with the lighting of the candles and ends Saturday when three stars are visible in the sky. It is the Jewish celebration of the Sabbath or day of rest. All of us celebrating this Good Friday Shabbat are Christian, however a few also by blood line are Jewish.

Shabbat is primarily a day of rest and spiritual enrichment. The word “Shabbat” comes from the root Shin-Beit-Tav, meaning to cease, to end, or to rest. Shabbat involves two interrelated commandments: to remember (zakhor) Shabbat, and to observe (shamor) Shabbat. Zakhor: To Remember.. Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it (Hebrew: Zakhor et yom ha-Shabbat l’kad’sho) -Exodus 20:8 Shamor: To Observe..Observe the Sabbath day to sanctify it (Hebrew: Shamor et yom ha-Shabbat l’kad’sho) -Deuteronomy 5:12

Shabbat or the Sabbath is a time of rest just as at the time of creation when on the seventh day God rested. It is a family time and a time of feasting in the Jewish home. It is a commemoration of Israel’s redemption from slavery in Egypt, a celebration of God’s creation of the universe after which He rested from His work, and a foretaste of the world during Messianic times. It is a time of celebration and considered the bride of the week.

The mother lights the candle about 18 minutes before sunset on Friday. Two candles are lit, representing the two commandments: zakhor (remember) and shamor (observe). To the traditional Jews it represents the light that was constantly burning in the temple, but to Christians and the Messianic Jews it reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world.

The traditional Jewish family attends a service together and then return to bless and partake of the wine and bread and then have dinner together. It very much reminded me of communion and I could hear the Lord saying “do this in remembrance of me”. The Holy Spirit is the new wine and Jesus is the bread of life. However, in this Jewish celebration the wine comes first and then the bread. I am not sure why but I am pondering that the word says no one can come to the Lord unless drawn by the Holy Spirit. Now that is just my thoughts. I just know that everything Our Father has done is and will be significant and has a message that ultimately points us to Him.

“Blessed are You, God, King of the Universe, Who made us holy with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Shabbat light”.

“Blessed are you God, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine”.

“Blessed are You, God, King of the Universe who brings forth bread from the earth”.

Husband blessing his wife with the Prov 31:10 blessing.

As they laid hands on their children and blessed them we blessed our children who were only present in our hearts.

This was a Good Friday that I will remember for many years to come. Thank-you Indira and Edger for inviting us to join you and your family in celebrating what the Lord has done for us. Lord you are the Bread of Life, our Redeemer, the Light of the world and our Shabbat and our Shalom. Amen!

Issiah 53:4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions

He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

And by His stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. 9 And they made His grave with the wicked– But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

Deuteronomy 10:12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,”

For quite a number of years I have been praying for the fear of the Lord to return to America and to the church. About seven years ago I was assigned to be on a prayer line for what is considered by many as a major ministry in this country. I did this job with fear and trembling because I did not feel qualified by any means. However, the Lord was very faithful and as I offered myself to be used He ministered to people.

It was a huge shock to me what people would call a ministry and want to talk about. I had several men that called to talk about x rated subjects without a spirit of repentance. Their motive for calling was not for deliverance if you know what I mean. People would call and rave over the minister and talk about how much they loved coming to the meetings or seeing the TV program and then talk about their life style that was out of the ball park from godliness. It soon became clear that there was a lack of the fear of the Lord.

I started doing a study of the fear of the Lord and it became evident that I needed to start praying for that to return to our nation and the church(which includes my life). The Hebrew word used for the fear in fear of the Lord is Yare. Guess what, it means fear. It also means revere, to frighten, afraid, dread, and reverence. We have become casual with God. Bobby Conner said at a recent conference that we have become very familiar with a God we hardly know. I think that is it in a nutshell.

This morning in my studies I came up with 12 benefits that come from having the fear of the Lord in our lives.

1. There will be no want…Ps 34:9
2. The Angel of the Lord will be encamp around about you…Ps 34:7
3. Brings Wisdom…. Prov 1:7
4. Prolongs Life….Prov 10:27
5. Gives you strong confidence…Prov 14:26a
6. Your children will have a place of refuge..Prov 14:26b
   
7. It is a fountain of life and turns away the snares of death…Prov 14:27
8. Leads to life…Prov 19:23
9. You will abide in satisfaction…Prov 19:23
10. You will not be visited by evil…Prov 19:23
11. Riches, honor and life….Prov 22:4
12. It will be well with you…Ec 8:12