A Man in A White Robe

This morning my heart is so overwhelmed with joy. I HAVE GOT TO SHARE SOMETHING WITH YOU!!

Yesterday my Mom called me to tell me about this missionary that spoke at FBC Belton Sunday morning. He spoke about the most amazing thing and she just HAD to tell me. As she spoke goosebumps took over my body and my heart almost leaped out of my chest. "What is God doing... And how can I be apart of it?" Those were the questions that entered my mind. I couldn't wait to get off the phone and tell Andrew the good news.. and I couldn't wait to tell you!!

God is moving in a mighty way in the heart and lives of Muslims. I had not heard what I am about to share with you until my Mom told me and I pray that as I begin to tell you that you will spread the good news.

If you were to google "A Man in a White Robe - Jesus" This is what would come up:

Over the past several years, more and more Muslims are having dreams about "a man in a white robe". http://prorege-forum.com/messages/407.html gives this explanation: "For someone who has not had extended exposure to Muslim-background believers in Christ, probably the most striking surprise is the powerful role that dreams and visions have played in drawing people to Jesus. Though dreams may play an insignificant role in the conversion decisions of most Westerners, over one-fourth of those surveyed state quite emphatically that dreams and visions were key in drawing them to Christ and sustaining them through difficult times. Rick Love, International Director of Frontiers, has recognized the pattern as well. He writes that, "Just as God used a vision to convert Paul, in like manner He reveals Himself to Muslims through dreams and visions. Just as God prepared Cornelius to hear the Gospel through a vision, so God is preparing a multitude of Muslims to respond to His good news."

"One believer from Guinea recounts the dream of a figure whom he later believed to be Christ. The figure was in a white robe, calling the man to come to Him. In a related dream, he recalls that the same figure's arms were extended, beckoning him. Dreams of this type have become recognized as a pattern of work among Muslims. Though there are variations, Christ appearing in a white robe is a recurring image among those who have had dreams and visions. Similarly, a Muslim Malay woman was drawn by a vision she had of her Christian parents who had died. She saw them rejoicing with others in heaven. Jesus, appearing in a white robe, said, "If you want to come to me, just come." Feeling that she had tried her entire life to reach God without success, she now saw God initiating the effort to reach her through Jesus."

The more research I did, the more I found. Jesus is speaking to Muslim's through dreams, simply beckoning them to follow him. There are several reoccurring messages in these dreams. Jesus tells the Muslim's, "Come and follow me, to read the bible for it is the book of life, and to go and find a christian that is near by... for they have good news to share." Christians who were once Muslim have now begun to make documentaries and are posting them on YouTube.com about their encounters and dreams about this man in a white robe who is Jesus Christ!

"I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lamp stands, and among the lamp stands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance." Revelation 1:12-16

It makes my heart overflow with joy to hear that Jesus loves all of us in this world enough to come to the Muslim people through their dreams. Missionaries are hearing these stories when they go to villages to preach the gospel. Jesus is showing up and leading these Muslims to the gospel in their dreams. How remarkable!! If that doesn't get you excited about how big our God is then I don't know what would! I am still researching this and I encourage you to do the same. .

I am yet again convinced how good our God is!

A cheerful heart is good medicine...

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Andrew and I have been dealing with so much emotional and physical hardship that at times it has been hard to laugh. Sometimes the best cure for a hurting heart is as simple as laughter. Laughing and being cheerful keeps you alive... it helps put your life and circumstances into a different perspective. Grieving is hard, very painful, and takes time, but the gift that the Lord uses often to lift our heart out of those dark places is laughter. Surrounding yourself with funny people, watching America's Funniest Home Videos, and remembering those times that you almost had an accident in your pants because something was SO funny will literally bring a smile to your face. Most of all, read scripture (especially Proverbs and Psalms) and learn how much you will benefit from being cheerful. That is great medicine!!

So I am a notorious giggler... I mean really... it is bad!

I giggle when things are going good and bad. It is kind of a nervous twitch. I encourage you to find your inner giggle. It will annoy your spouse and co-workers, but it is good for the soul.

To help you find your inner giggle watch this clip. If this does not make you giggle then you need help!

Prince of Peace

It has taken me two hours to talk myself into writing this blog today because what I am about to share with you is probably the hardest thing I have ever had to go through.

Andrew and I lost our precious baby yesterday.

Last week when we went in for our ultrasound, our baby's heart beat was really low and they told us we needed to come back in two weeks to see if the heart had caught up. Monday I woke feeling awful. About ten o'clock in the morning I started spotting. Trying not to be a drama queen, I blew it off and kept working. The more time went on, the worse it got. I went home that day around 4 and was pretty sure that my body was miscarrying the baby. Tuesday morning, Andrew and I went in to have an emergency ultrasound and they found the baby, but the baby was no longer alive. Wednesday morning I was supposed to go in for a D&C but my body beat me to the punch.

We are praising the Lord in the midst of our pain, but we are very weary from all of this. I am really ready to feel better and feel like myself again. This past month has been a whirlwind for us, but we are looking to heaven. We know that God has a plan and a purpose for us... We just are ready for the pain to stop. Jeremiah 29:11 rolls off the tongue nicely and looks great on decorator pillows but is so very hard to believe with all your heart when these type of things happen that are unexplainable and very hurtful.

But after it was all said and done, Andrew and I had an unexplainable peace within us. A kind of peace that can only be given by the Prince of Peace.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Mary gave birth to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, in a little stable in Bethlehem with her new husband by her side... I imagine this a whole lot differently than I did before. I can imagine the fear combined with excitement within her and Joseph as she brought the Prince of Peace into this world. The physical pain from labor and tears of joy when she held the Savior of the world in her hands afterward.

No matter what you are hurting from or struggling with, rest in this... he is the Prince of Peace. He will give you peace that surpasses all understanding. No matter where you are in life, christian or non-christian, God loves you. He wants to give you that peace.

As we walk through life and go through hard times, we will need to rely on him, THE Prince of Peace. He came to save us, so that we could spend eternity with him. In the midst of all my emotional and physical pain yesterday, the thing that gave my heart comfort was knowing that one day Andrew and I will be able to hold the baby that we were never able to hold. We will get to see what he/she looks like. Today may be sad, but that day... that will be such a sweet day!