Presence
-
God’s Heavenly Perspective
Ann here! I remember God showing me once, that during my SUM I would grow, grow and grow some more. I would grow until I was so tall and spindly that I would see everything with a heavenly perspective. He said, however, that I would cry a lot of tears as I grow. Oh yes,…
-
Dealing with Disappointment
Ian from sunny Sydney here. Spring is here, Down Under and the flowers are beginning to blossom as the temperature increases. Photo courtesy of Mikhail Nilov and Pexels.com We’re a little sad in our house at present. Fiona and I were off on a holiday last week, but I injured my back, and it didn’t…
-
Time for Rest
Hello beloved SUMites! This month while I was asking God what he wanted me to write about I felt him say “REST”. I believe he is leading some of us into a time of deep rest, I know he is me! So today I am going to share with you a few things our…
-
How Do We Linger Long with the Lord?
Dear friends, Ann here. Last week I shared a story about a shift in my home. A good shift. If you missed that post, you can read it here. Essentially, a peace came and settled between me and my hubby, and we stopped having disagreements about faith or church. Wonderful! Perhaps at some point in…
-
Calm in the Storm
Image Courtesy of Serge Bertasius Photography and Free Digital Photos.net Hi, Ian here from sunny Sydney. Wow, who could have imagined when I wrote about supernatural happenings and wilderness experiences in my last post that a few weeks later almost the entire would be thrust into wilderness. It’s scary with how fast things have moved.…
-
The Enemy Cannot Handle This!
Sunday, September 29th is the beginning of Rosh Hashanah. We’ve talked about this Jewish holiday over the years. In fact, the first time I’d ever been made aware of it’s significance was because of a blog post from either Lynn or Dineen. For those who are not familiar or are new to this holiday, a…
-
You Are Making New Wine
Hey there SUM family, Tiffany here! We are on the verge of a major breakthrough. I believe that this is both individual and corporate for our SUM community and our families. Already we have seen a few wondrous accounts of spouses getting baptized into the faith! Hallelujah! Strongholds are breaking in our lives as well…
-
A Table Set For Victory
Hey SUM family, Tiffany Here. I pray that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! This is absolutely my favorite time of year. I love gathering with family, eating fantastic food and reflecting on all of the favor, mercy, and goodness of Daddy that has happened for the year. As I was thinking last week about what Holy Spirit wanted me to share,…
-
When Survival Is The ONLY Option…
First, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to share my heart with you all. I am so blessed and even more grateful for the door that God has opened for me! The Holy Spirit has given me many spiritual gifts but there is one that I cherish the most. He has given…
-
Going in His Presence
Image courtesy of Phil_Bird at FreeDigitalPhotos.net Mid-year is a big time for our church as we have a celebration dinner where all our campuses around the city come together and break bread together. It’s a night where we reflect on the good things the body has contributed across various activities both locally and overseas. Plus…
-
Stay in the tent
Photo courtesy of khunaspix/FreeDigitalPhotos.net Last year my Word for the year was “DELIGHT”. I so enjoyed delighting and figured there was so much more for me to experience that I was expecting I would stick with the same word for 2017. As I prayed and meditated on it last week I stumbled across a line…
-
How Do You “Hear” God…For Your Spouse?
My dear friends, I hope the journaling exercise to "pay attention" to how you hear God has been a blessing and encouragement to you. Your comments have encouraged me greatly! I love how God speaks to us in many ways and specifically to our need and relationship with Him. Let’s review that verse again: “So…
-
First LOVE
We have been chatting about suffering. It can truly blow up your mind to consider the reasons of God for suffering. Not too long ago the Lord spoke to me about my unequally yoked marriage. It was likely in a challenging season when I was complaining to God about His delay in saving my pre-believer.…
-
Childlike in Anticipation – some reflections on Advent
I've always loved December. Living in Australia, it’s summer, the end of the school year so we always had our long summer break over December/January. It’s also my birthday month and … it’s Christmas. I still recall those days approaching Christmas when the presents used to begin to pile up under the tree. Most of…
-
This Challenging Culture
Hello, SUMite family! Lynn and I decided we should wrap our study up this week, because we have other things we want to move onto next week. Thus we will conclude our Equipping Our Kids in a Contrary Culture on Friday with Lynn’s post about Legacy Kids. I’m sure it will be amazing too! My…
-
Our Authority to “Pass It On”
Dear friends, I feel like I'm on a treasure hunt through the Bible and the Holy Spirit keeps revealing these nuggets of wisdom and knowledge. In fact, I shared this verse on Facebook last week because it keeps showing up: In him [Christ] lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. – Colossians 2:3…
-
Unity Through Worship
My friends, I have so loved reading your comments on this worship series. You have shared your hearts and prayers. I have found myself inspired many times by what you share, have even prayed your words! And I know other have too. We started this series with discussing Worship is More Than a Song, then…
-
Worship is More Than a Song
My friends, few weeks ago I asked Abba for a better understanding of what worship means to Him. If we look at worship from a worldly perspective, we can easily attribute human needs and behaviors, like ego and self centeredness to God, which is completely opposite of His selfless and merciful character. So I asked…
-
Transforming the Mind: Thanking and Praising
My friends, I’m amazed this series is continuing (I changed the main title to Transforming the Mind, because that is truly what it’s about, Romans 12:2!) So far we’ve covered Feasting on God’s Word, Claiming and Praying God’s Promises, Giving the Holy Spirit Authority, and last week, Pleading the Blood of Jesus. When I started…
-
Weekend Worship – Ascribe Unto the Lord
My friends, let's give Teresa special thanks and prayers for her work this past week. She not only wrote those amazing posts for us, but she was also writing in the comments and encouraging so many of us. Thank you, Teresa! You have served the SUMites with such grace and generosity! We are so blessed…
-
Fast Forward
Are you experiencing a special closeness to the Lord at this point in the fast? Are you gaining insight through contemplation? Have you picked one word to focus on this year (See the post from Monday.) Take notes of any insights so you can reflect on them later this year. Savor this experience. As Christians,…