war on grumbling day twelve

Day 12

Today I am thankful for open access to the throne of grace. Not a single thing I bring to the Most High God of the universe throws Him off or causes Him to turn away from me. My most pettiest irritation is important to Him, along with my heaviest burdens. #IHaveAHighPriest #ILoveJesus #WarOnGrumbling #40DaysOfThanksgiving

High Priest - Alisha Powell w/ Jaye Thomas

I have a High Priest who has passed through the heavens // 

I have a High Priest who has made intercession //

I have a High Priest, through His body He made a way //

Thank You for the wound in Your side //

You made a way for me, You made a way for me

war on grumbling day eleven

Day 11

I'm thankful that God has made me a persistent widow crying out day and night for justice in the midst of an unjust world #WarOnGrumbling  #40DaysOfThanksgiving 


Tonight at my home group, I taught on Luke 18:1-8, the story of the persistent widow and the unjust judge. Because I'm a woman in the midst of a divorce while in the church, I sometimes feel not far removed from a widow in biblical times. This passage is one that has often encouraged me as I've contended for the people and issues God has laid on my heart over the past decade.

As we wrapped up the teaching and questioned each other about delays in answered prayer, my responses spurred me to an almost newfound amazement at how many of my requests Jesus actually has answered. Although I'm not going to lie...there are so many more I am still waiting on. 

And so I will be persistent. And like Jesus suggests, I will not lose heart. 

Just don’t give up, don’t give in

If you don’t quit, you’ll win, you’ll win

war on grumbling day ten

Day 10

I'm thankful for God's mark on my life and all the healing and deliverance that comes with it. #WarOnGrumbling 
#40DaysOfThanksgiving

I really don't know why I was set apart for salvation but I know that it is real and palpable and I'm awed almost every day. I have a past that includes abuse, alcoholism, abortions, divorce, drug addiction and rage as well as other issues like disassociation. And to be set free and released into Jesus' purposes has been an incredibly humbling yet beautiful experience. And if that isn't enough, He asks me to help others realize the same things. #SetTheCaptivesFree #MindBlown

David Ruis - No Other

And if I'm healed by just one touch of Your garment, Lord

Then how much more of Your love is for me than I'm tasting, Lord?

Draw me // Take me // And I will run

Over the mountains and down into the valleys, I will run with You
Oh, all my fountains are in You

war on grumbling day nine

Day 9

I'm thankful that my Abba Father is absolutely limitless.
#WarOnGrumbling 
#40DaysOfThanksgiving


Tonight at Sanctuary House of Prayer, our 8:30pm worship team sang a chorus that once again struck me: "There are no limits to Your love." 

And immediately I recalled what Meredith Andrews said in the recent movie Holy Ghost: "What if we said -- collectively as the church -- okay God, no more boxes. No more limits. No more we have to control everything. Just give God total control. Yeah, it's scary but I think that's the way we were meant to live." 

That's the way I want to live. 

You're limitless, nothing's too hard for You //

You're limitless, there's nothing You cannot do //

You are bigger and You're greater and You're stronger I know //

You're limitless, You're limitless //

I'm saying goodbye to any limitation // I'm saying hello to the God of all creation

There are no limits with You

war on grumbling day eight

Day 8 

Today I'm thankful that my Heavenly Papa has called me, of all people, to be a mother to many. It's an awe-inspiring picture of His redemptive restoration work in my life.

#WarOnGrumbling #HoodMom

Not a week goes by when I'm not astounded on some level at how God somehow trusts me to guide the lives of young people. Especially when you consider my past poor choices regarding the sanctity of life, it showcases the miraculous grace and mercy of Jesus personified and put in action. O how I love Him.

I promised you a miracle // 

Belief is a beauty thing //

One love she sees

war on grumbling day seven

Day 7 

I'm thankful for what I like to call my so-called African life. I asked God for Africa...He gave it to me here on the prairies. #WarOnGrumbling #40DaysOfThanksgiving

I'm continually astounded at how the Lord has seamlessly woven me into different African communities here in Winnipeg. And given me dozens sweet and beautiful young men and women to co-parent in various ways. It's such a picture of His restoration, love and perfect leadership in my life.

So much love to share // I just can't see how we livin' without it
So much love to care // Don't miss, don't miss one moment about it
So much love to share// Resist this bliss, oh, I really doubt it

war on grumbling day six

Day 6 

I'm thankful that God gives me revelation and lets me in on His secrets about His Kingdom. #WarOnGrumbling #40DaysOfThanksgiving

There's several rather difficult situations I've been praying for as of late. Earlier today, while in the shower, I was struck with crystal clear information about one of them and how to pray. It came via information I'd watched earlier in a totally unrelated video. I am always humbled that He trusts me with His secrets, because there's nothing quite like receiving His revelation and strategies direct from the throne. 

All treasures of wisdom and things to be known // Are hidden inside your hand

And in this fortunate turn of events // You ask me to be your friend

war on grumbling day five

Day 5 

I'm thankful for my walk with God...literally. Today I walked 10 kilometres throughout several Winnipeg neighborhoods on a spectacular autumn day. My philosophy towards prayer on long walks like that is go big or go home. 

With every step forward, my prayers seem go higher and as I go along God often reveals His heart for His people and this city. #WarOnGrumbling #40DaysOfThanksgiving

Now, they've got catfish on the table //

They've got gospel in the air //

And Reverend Green, be glad to see you //

When you haven't got a prayer //

But boy you got a prayer in Memphis

war on grumbling day four

Day 4 

I'm so thankful that I live in a democracy where I can walk to the end of my street and vote with ease and freedom. It might sound trite, but I know so many fugees, international students and even permanent residents who don't enjoy that privilege. #WarOnGrumbling #40DaysOfThanksgiving

When I filled in my ballot for Winnipeg's civic election this morning, one of the workers at the polling station asked me to watch it register on the machine to assure it was counted. I was voter number 88 at that station. And no matter what anyone says...my vote counts. 

But the vote that counts most is the one I made for Jesus on Dec. 22, 2004. Jesus Christ is the ruler of all the kings of the earth. And over all the presidents and chiefs and premiers and governors and prime ministers and mayors and city councillors and school trustees. And make no mistake about it, He reigns.

war on grumbling day three

Day 3 

I'm so thankful that I not only attend a house a prayer, not

only am I an intercessor, but the Lord has turned my house -- and indeed my whole life -- into a house of prayer. 

Yesterday I led an intense intercession meeting for the church in Manitoba at Sanctuary House of Prayer. When I got home I prayed on the phone with a gal dealing with some truly distressing circumstances, and later one of my Sudanese sons dropped by and we prayed before he went to bed. I woke up interceding, prayer walked my way into work and dropped into a sweet little Luke 18 prayer meeting after lunch. 

I suspect this is what night and day prayer in the 24/7 prayer movement is supposed to look like. Just not sure why I don't do it more often... #PrayContinually #ILoveMyJob #WarOnGrumbling #40DaysOfThanksgiving

Lord make me a house, make me a house of prayer//

May the fire on my altar never burn out //

Day and night, night and day //
Make me a house of prayer

war on grumbling day two

Day 2

I'm so thankful that I can approach God with childlike wonder. #ConsistentlyInAwe #WarOnGrumbling #40DaysOfThanksgiving

May we never lose our wonder // 
Wide eyed and mystified //
May we be just like a child // 
Staring at the beauty of our King //
Cause You are beautiful in all Your ways //

War on Grumbling Redux

Here I am again. In the trenches fighting against offense, daily irritations and a million other things. Looks like it's time for another 40 Days of Thanksgiving aka the War on Grumbling. Last year, I gained massive perspective on my tendencies and kicked my prayer life into high gear and this year I am hoping for nothing less than encounter and breakthrough.

Here's the rules:

1. Do not grumble against God – repent when you do, thank Him for who He is, what He does and what He Has done.

2. Do not grumble against yourself - no negative speech about self or towards self and when you do confess it and speak truth.

3. Do not grumble against others - confess it when you do, and bless them despite what the reason is you are grumbling against them.

4. No policing one another. If someone does grumble encourage them by praying for them. 

5. Post on social media daily what you are most grateful for. This can help keep gratitude on the forefront of your mind as well as that of others who see what you are grateful for. 

So here I go...the first day with 39 more to go. 

Day 1

I'm thankful the Lord has created me to be a safe place to fall for others. I've got a dear one in my spare room and another on the couch and my big momma's heart has never been so full. #WarOnGrumbling #HoodMom