Still Small Voice

Simplicity is what I craved this morning. The funny thing is I didn’t realize it until I walked outside to put the Netflix movie in the mailbox. As I walked back into the house leaves fell all around me, gracefully hitting the ground, a cute little bird perched itself above me. I stood still and took a deep breath. I needed that this morning, to be still and enjoy the simplicity of life. But that’s not all I needed.

Good heavens life right now is crazy. Some days I can feel like I’m the only normal one on the planet. With talk of this and talk of that, it is hard to find simplistic stillness. It’s like bees are buzzing around my head, and some days honestly I just want to quit.

Elijah felt like this. He was on top of the world after what had just happened with Jezebel's prophets (1 Kings 18:20-40). But then word reached him that Jezebel wished him dead. In that moment the great prophet felt alone and scared. He thought he was the only one left who believed and served the Most High God. So, he ran, far, far away. It wouldn’t end this way for Him.

I love that even in his panic, God still loved him and cared for him. God sent an angel to feed him (twice) and was told to go to the mountain of God. Forty days and Forty nights Elijah traveled, constantly looking over his shoulder, the words of Jezebel still buzzing around his head.

Upon reaching the mountain of God the Lord came to him and said:

“What are you doing here?”

“Your children have forsaken you and killed your prophets. I alone am left…and they seek to take my life.”

Then, God, had Elijah stand out on the mountain. As he did, a great wind blew by, then a mighty earthquake shook the mountain, next a fire came upon the mountain but the Lord was not found. But then once everything was still God spoke in a still small voice.

The next thing God does is amazing. He doesn’t condemn Elijah for being afraid and running for his life. No, God gives Elijah his next mission and then ends it with this encouraging word:

“Yet I have reserved 7,000 in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

With his next assignment and his faith in God restored Elijah did all that God told him, with clarity.

I have felt like Elijah this morning. I felt like running, I felt like I was the only one left. But when I disconnected from all the voices, options and crap all around me I could hear God again in the stillness, in the simple things like the falling leaves around me. Then like Elijah, I can continue on to the next thing and do it with clarity, because I have heard God in the stillness.

Don’t feel bad for feeling like this either. I did for a second (before I found God in the whisper), the enemy tried to tell me I was weak. But then I heard “Hear me in the stillness”. This wasn’t a shame on you Janell, your failing! It was an invitation to do something about how I was feeling, to choose the higher truth. To become more like Jesus. You haven’t failed. You only fail if you don’t move forward.

I encourage you today to go your “mountain” and listen. Unplug and hear His heart. Know that you are not alone in this life. Don’t believe that lie like Elijah. God is good and He is never taken back.

Yes, this life is crazy, but my God is always there. He isn’t angry or disappointed. He lifts us up and reminds us that He is in the stillness and that we are not alone.

Cinnamon Rolls and Dancing Flames

This morning I was doing a Bible study and the prompt said to slow down, relax and approach the Father; talk with Him. I wanted to share with you my experience and hope it encourages you to approach Him today.

I closed my eyes and this is what I saw: At first I was in a large room, expecting God to be high on his throne. I looked around and noticed He wasn’t there. Odd I thought. I turned around and saw an open door; a light was coming from it, warm and inviting. I looked around at the room I was in now and noticed it was very sterile and was just concrete.

I walked through the door and into a small house, and standing in the kitchen was God. 

His sleeves were rolled up and He was working dough. I smile because I know exactly what he is making. It was like someone hit the fast forward button and before me I saw him make cinnamon rolls…my favorite. I can literally smell the warm, sweet cinnamon in the air.

He leads me to a big plush couch and we sit in front of a beautiful fire. Oh how he knows us. As I look into the fire he says “the flames dance for you”. So I watched the fire dance. Fully enjoying, savoring this time with my God…my Father. 

These moments make my heart melt. He knows us. How often though do we go and be with him? How often do we let him touch our hearts? We settle for a prayer to him here and there. But hardly do we sit down and experience him, and let him love our soul. I am so guilty of this. But the Father only pulls me close and all the guilt and shame that I have placed on myself melts away.

Take time to let him love your soul. It’s worth the time and never disappointing. 

Denmark // England April 2016

When I told people that I was going on a mission trip to Denmark and England some their reactions weren't the same if I were to tell them I were going to South America. I understand though…most missions trip happen in poor areas. Because there is a greater need.  So why go on a mission trip to Europe? 

Paul writes “Love obligates me to preach to everyone, to those who are among the elite and those who are among the outcasts, to those who are wise and educated as well as to those who are foolish and unlearned.” Romans 1:14 TPT

And let’s not forget what Jesus said “Go into ALL the world…cast out demons, lay hands on the sick and see them recover...” Mark 16:15

I had a amazing expectation for this trip. I felt a gentle call from God to go to Europe. That would have been exciting enough but then my mom found out that I had ancestors from both cities that I was going to be in. A coincidence? I think not!

The bulk of the trip took place in Copenhagen, Denmark (were my 11^th great grandmother was from) at a church in Muslim neighborhood surrounded by mosques (one of our team members prayed with a Muslim woman and she asked Jesus into her heart!).  The church itself housed many churches (Spanish and Filipino just to name a few) which I thought was pretty neat! This church was amazing and the atmosphere was electric with expectation.

Every day was fully booked with amazing worship (if you want some Danish Worship look up "Skywalk Lovesang" on iTunes and Spotify! My favorite tracks are 3 & 5) and then meetings lead by Randy Clark, Tom Jones and Bill Johnson. After every meeting our team (of 30+ people) prayed for people for impartation, deliverance, healing and salvation. Here are some fun SATS from our trip in both Copenhagen and Bristol:

Attendance: 5,150

Physical Healings: 300
Sovereign Healings: 254
Emotional Healings: 331
Salvations (Invitations): 8
Salvations (Team Prayed): 6
Re-dedications: 5
Blasted (Totally rocked by God): 377
Deaf Ears Opened: 6
Lame Walking: 4
Metal Miracles: 7

Is God good or what?! I noticed that God was using me to bring more emotional healing than any other kind. God so cares for our heart just as much as he cares for our bodies.

One of my favorite inner healings happened in Copenhagen. A woman came to get prayer for the discs in her neck. I found out that this injury came from her husband violently beating her and now 15 years later she is still in bad pain. I asked her before we (my catcher/interpreter) prayed if she had any unforgiveness toward her husband. She said no, that she had forgiven him a long time ago. As we kept talking we learned that as a child she wasn’t loved and valued by her parents. I asked if she was willing to forgive and bless her parents. She said yes and simply forgave them and blessed them. Then we prayed that she would receive the Fathers love. 

The love of God hit her and she hit the ground. While she was on the ground we could see her face change. Peace was filling her heart. We prayed a few seconds for her neck and then she got up. We asked how her neck was feeling. She said that there was no improvement but her heart felt at peace. Then the Holy Spirit brought her husband back to my mind. I asked her again “Are you sure you have forgiven your husband?” She didn’t reply for a bit but then said “You know I don’t think I fully have forgiven him. I think there is still a root of unforgiveness in my heart.”

She then simply forgave her husband for beating her, blessed him then received the Fathers love again. In front of our eyes we again saw her face change. More peace and the burden of unforgiveness was lifted. I asked her how she was feeling (I meant emotionally because of how amazing she looked) but she though I meant her neck. She moved her neck and shock was on her face. Her neck was totally healed! 15 years of pain totally gone by just forgiving her husband.  Ha-ha she was so happy she hugged me and lifted me up off the ground! We jumped, laughed and hugged some more!

This experience really marked me. Forgiveness is so very powerful and freeing. When people let go and receive the love of God it changes their lives. It’s so sad when people say they won’t or can’t forgive. That happened on this trip but more than not let the power of forgiveness set them free.

Every night the team would line up in front of the platform and give words of knowledge.  One night I had a word of knowledge (WOK) about the right elbow and felt like it might be tennis elbow. But then another one of my team members said the right elbow! I was like well do I say mine word too? I asked God for a new WOK but I didn’t get one. So I called out tennis elbow on the right side, in faith that I had heard God. I had 4 people come up with tennis elbow and most of them were on the right side! All but one received immediate healing! Some had had this for 5 months and some up to 18 years. After I prayed for one young man and he tried his arm out he started crying. The pain had totally left.

One lady I prayed for hadn’t been able to bend down fully for 50 years due to an accident that happened as a child. She also couldn’t bend her knees without pain for 5 months. She was totally healed! The joy and shock on her face! Haha

The last night in Copenhagen I prayed with a girl who had a bad ankle. We prayed nothing and happened. So I interviewed her again and found out when this pain stared. Long story shorter she had unforgiveness toward different church leaders throughout her life. She was hurt by the church. She forgave all the people involved and her pain started to leave. We prayed a few more times and all the pain left!

Now it wasn't rainbows and sunshine! We had a one night where a bunch of us prayed and nothing happened. Like I prayed for 4 people with ringing ears (That was my WOK) and only one of them was healed. On these nights you leave feeling kind of deflated. But it’s God who heals not us. Randy Clark said something the 1^st night that really helped me get through this. It’s ok to say "I don’t know". It’s ok not to know the answer as to why nothing happened. Just don’t give up, don’t lose heart and keep praying! As long as the person leaves knowing they are loved you have done your job.

The next night one of my team members prayed for several people with ringing ears and they were healed! Why didn’t happen the night before? I don’t know...and that's ok!

April 24^th was a Sunday and a few of us got to do something really fun during our break. We got to tour Tivoli Gardens, the place where Walt Disney was inspired to build his parks! That was such a treat and the gardens were so beautiful (Picture above)!

Did you know that the hot dog originated in Denmark? Well it did! So I had two while I was there and oh my goodness…America you have no idea what a hot dog is really supposed to taste like!  Oh and the Danish pastries were literally the best thing ever. The Danes have a recipe from heaven.

Now I can’t leave out Bristol, England! I seriously love England. I love how most buildings there are older than the USA. I love the old churches and declaring that the Spirit of God would visit them again.We had meetings in two different churches, both build in the 1800s. They were so beautiful!

Here the people were taught how to receive and give WOK and it was so fun to watch them take a step of faith and how the Lord came through.  In Bristol we got to pray for several children that I am waiting to hear the good reports from. 

Christ Church//Bristol England

I prayed for a lot of people who needed emotional healing in England too. One lady had graves disease and Fibromyalgia. We prayed for her and nothing happened other than some inner healing. I received a report back that her pain is now almost gone! HA!

Peace was another thing that was big during ministry. We prayed for one man that had a serious condition. He felt a little improvement but most of all peace filled his heart and mind. God cares about our heart!

One afternoon in Bristol we got to visit the George Muller Museum. The story of his life was amazing. That man trusted God for everything and God always provided. The testimony of his life was so encouraging. Little side note: I found out that the Veggie Tales story of George Muller is actually a myth! They can’t find proof that it happened but just from what I heard about him it could have very well happened! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL0rQlDYGL8 )

Then there were people there who didn’t need healing, but were hungry for more of God. So we blessed them and prophesied over their lives and God touched them in big ways. 

The last night I was in Bristol I was able to release blessing on my family. Which was funny because the conference was called "Release The Bristol Blessing"!  It was such a powerful experience (There is a video on my Facebook)! And I expect things to start happening because of it.

Friendships were made on this trip and I already miss them! More than I thought I would and look forward to seeing them again.

So yeah I had an amazing trip and really can't wait for the next one. God is just so good, I can't even come close to describing that fact to you. These were just a few stories of what happened and if you want more ask me! 

A special "THANK YOU" to those of you that gave. These stories are your stories. You get to reap this blessing! 

Much Love, Janell

Calling The Wonder Women

It's time to rise up and be the WONDERfully made women God intended . We are not less than, we are powerful. The church and the world need us to be...well, fully us! Our femininity is special and God given. The world needs both sexes being who they were created to be, working together...not pushing each other down.

What WONDERS have yet to be seen because woman haven't been allowed or didn't know they could operate in power and the in fullness God destined? What would happen if we actually believed that both sexes were saved from the curse of law?  Ladies it's time to rise up! You are powerful, wonderful, beautiful, free, and oh so full of WONDER! Let it out on the world.

Whatsoever Think

David, Goliath and Our Problems

Worry VS. Trust

If we are worrying we aren’t trusting God. 

It’s amazing how at one minute you are on top of the world and then something comes and makes you fall off. If not prepared for lives little trials it can get the best of us. We fall to the earth begin to dig a hole of worry.

I have not perfected this “never shaken” thing yet but I’m working on it.

Oh Jesus….How You love me so well! Just when I have the shovel in my hand, ready to dig deep into worry, You come and show me that there is another way to do this.

“Trust me sweet one, let’s get back up. Don’t dig into useless worry. Take my hand and let’s get back on top.”

Oh my God. Time and time He does this to me. So sweet and kind He reminds me that he has is all under His control…and that I can trust Him. Peace rushes in and I remember that He  has always been faithful and trustworthy.

Ha-ha Sometimes I laugh at myself…after He pulls me back up I look back at where I was digging that hole and realize it wasn’t even a big deal really.

If we are worrying we aren’t trusting God.

Take a deep breath. Help is on its way. And it’s a Help you can count on. Every time.

Whatsoever Think

Photo Credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/402087072951362845/