LAM Newsletter, July 2002

Welcome to the Life Application Ministries monthly newsletter. I want to take this opportunity to thank so many readers. Many of you have given such wonderful comments. Some of you have shared your stories with me, which encouraged me greatly - and have helped me continue with the newsletters. Some gave constructive criticism, which was received with grace. But every one of you play an important part in keeping these newsletters active. Your comments and feedback help me to continue writing and sharing my own revelations and testimonies that may help someone become "more than a conqueror". It appears to me that the enemy wants us to believe we are all alone. By sharing the deepest parts of my soul with you, I believe has caused many of you to not feel alone any more. There is peace when we know we are not alone!

Again, thanks for supporting this newsletter and sharing valuable information with me. If you want to share comments, ideas or speak in person, I can be contacted at:

(530) 620-2712 or TruthFrees@Mindsync.com.

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LIFE APPLICATION MINISTRIES UPDATE

Things are really jumpin' in LAM these days. But let me start at the time things really began coming more active.

About 3 weeks ago we had a family tragedy. It only caused the family to pull together. During this time we managed to get along better than ever and even had quality time with each other. It's interesting how a family tragedy pulls people together? Too bad it has to take something like that though… Anyway, I had done some soul searching during this time. How life is very fragile. That we really don't know how much time we have on this earth. So with that, something inside me began happening. Things that I have been putting off for a few years has now resurfaced and I began accomplishing many of these tasks. Oh, I was keeping up with the daily stuff, but wasn't doing any more. Well, the "more" has come. I felt a strong anointing on everything I put my hands to. These things I began doing was for the ministry. It was revived.

At the same time I was asked to be a member on the Board of Directors for the Juvenile Hall Chaplaincy. I was so honored to be considered. I met with the Chaplain and discussed all the things that were being planned. I realized that the things being planned were things that LAM wasn't doing but needed to. I realized that by being on someone else's board, I wouldn't full fill what God intended for me to do where I was. So, even though it would have been a GOOD thing to do, for me it wasn't a GOD thing. I have been learning that even though something is good, doesn't necessarily mean I'm the one to do it. So I had to call the Chaplain and tell him I was unable to take on that role. I had to "let go" of something I really thought would be great!

It was at that time I realized things began opening up for LAM. I began getting more calls than ever setting up seminars and meetings. I knew that my commitment was to see this ministry flourish in helping individuals build great relationships with God. I also knew there would be times when maybe nothing would be happening at all, but to WAIT on God. And sure enough, with many of those "waiting" times, I'm no longer waiting.

I work full-time right now but see in the near future that may be a thing of the past. I want to keep up with all that is being asked of this ministry and am really excited to be a part of people's lives.

Through all this I realized that:

My life is so full. I laugh almost every day thinking of the hand of God in my life, from planning meetings to picking up cement at the store. God is in everything I do. That's what He wants with all of us. A personal commitment to complete what He's called us to. Not do something else because what we "think" he's asked us to do isn't moving fast enough. It's during those waiting times that God is doing some ground preparation work. And if we keep moving onto something else because "nothing" seems to be happening, then we'll never get to where He wants us to be!

This ministry is now International. Working in conjunction with Pleasant Valley Ministries, LAM is reaching many individuals who have a desire to know the truth that will set them free. I have to say that on occasion there have been individuals who verbally reject what is being shared in this ministry. But, I don't take it personally because I know what is being done in my life and many others. I just let that person go and work with individuals who have the desire to be helped. There are plenty of individuals who are at their last rope and have realized this is the missing piece in their healing. I'm not saying I don't want to help those people, I will if they have a true desire to be helped. But you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink, as the old saying goes. But I have to add here that some who I've spoken with a year or so ago about this and rejected it then, has contacted me saying, "I'm ready to hear now." Each contact this ministry does is a seed that is planted. I can water and share, but God is the only one who can make it grow.

We have a number of seminars scheduled. Please call the LAM office for registration and directions. Each meeting is free of charge but a love offering is accepted. Please see the end of this newsletter for dates and times.

BIG plans for LAM!

The Lord has truly opened many doors for this ministry. As you recall, Tom and I bought some more acreage right next to us to expand into. We are ready to do that expanding. This last weekend I had a retreat at my home and accommodated 15 women, comfortably I might add. But the need is greater than that. We want to accommodate more individuals and so we want to add a dormitory or something on the property to accommodate more - or the same amount with more privacy, etc. If you feel led to give a monetary donation to help toward this venture, your donation is greatly appreciated. It is also tax deductible. Please call or write to LAM if the Lord has prompted you to help.

Your prayers are also needed. That's the only way things will truly be met.

LAM retreat in July

On July 19th, - 21st - I held the annual LAM retreat. 15 women spend three glorious filled days in the foothills surrounding Sacramento, CA. We took walked, enjoyed the great outdoors, some even took a dip in the Consumnes River. Many were set free that weekend. I cannot even begin to tell you what God did for EACH and EVERY woman that attended. One lady said she couldn't wait to get home to let her husband see how she's changed. Yes, it happened overnight for many of these women. The truth sets us free, and that's all we did all weekend long, was discover the truth. Not the truth of someone else, but the truth within our own lives. I hope to share their personal testimonies as the days go on so that they encourage you and help you decide to attend a seminar yourself! This year I am holding two (possibly one in October too) because of the great response I received. I can only accommodate 15 women at a time and wanted to be sure no one was left out. The second retreat is almost filled so if you want to attend, please contact the LAM office as soon as possible. And come expecting a miracle!

PERSONAL REVELATION

Women and Marriage

Did anyone get a chance to watch the show on TV of the five women who went to Alaska looking for a husband? They had around 50 men to choose from, or something like that, and was narrowed down to choosing between two. I only watched the final show, which was when the women chose their mate. Out of the five women, only one woman was asked to pursue a relationship, all the others the men rejected them.

As I was thinking about that God showed me something very profound. He told me that no where in the Bible did a woman choose a man to marry, it was always the other way around. The men were told to choose their wives. I don't recall any woman choosing a husband. The Lord began to tell me that the women in that show chose men they were "attracted to and longed" for. But the Lord told me that if they had picked a man that longed for them and was attracted to them, THEN there would have been a different outcome. Even though the women don't exactly LOVE the man right then, if the man LOVED the woman and adored her, eventually the woman would return the feeling. Women are responsive beings.

I personally can vouch for this. This is exactly what happened in my life. For so many years I wanted men that didn't want me. Anyone like that out there? There were plenty of men who treated me with esteem and honor, but I didn't want any of them. I am married to a man who truly loved me first. We even talk about it. And because he truly loved me, I have in turned loved him back. Sure, I loved him somewhat when we got married otherwise I wouldn't have married him. But he LUUUUUVED me MORE first. It was his love that brought out more of the love I would have for him. I began responding to his love. It didn't happen over night but boy I'm really enjoying the benefits now. And the love is real! It's not something I "had" to do, it's something I truly "have."

When a man truly loves the woman, holds her with great esteem, honors her, cherishes her, treats her like the most important jewel in his life, there is nothing that woman could do but love him back. Many of us women married men we were truly "mad" about only to find we aren't getting what we needed from them. This reminds me of my ex-husband. I was "head over heels" for him. I got him to marry me by manipulation. But it was the most rocky and un-loving relationship I could have been in. It was all one sided, my side. I gave and gave and gave and got nothing in return. For nine years this went on and then finally we both agreed to divorce. I have been married to Tom now for 13 years (this month the 27th) and have been the happiest I have ever thought I could ever be. Far more than ever dreamed or imagined I could have!

Scripture of the Month

Hebrews 3:12 and 19

"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. ……So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief."

This is very clear that anyone, who does not believe, has an evil heart. This scripture is not talking to unbelievers, but believers! And, they could not enter in (to God's rest) because of unbelief. We have too many unbelieving believers. But how do you truly believe? You get to KNOW Him. You cannot trust anyone you don't know first! Isn't that true? How do you get to KNOW Him? Ask Him to show you. He said that we have not because we ask not. Yes, we get to know Him by reading His Word, but that's only the start. Allow Him in every aspect and area of your life. Recently I built a deck awning, 18 feet long and 12 feet wide - All by myself! It is absolutely beautiful. My husband could only say, "You amaze me." The truth is, God helped me every step of the way. With God all things are possible - I believed that statement! So with my piece of paper and measuring stick, I went to work. Each step I took I consulted with God. By the time all the steps were done, the awning was done too. Many who have seen it cannot believe I built it - but there it is. During all that building, I was IN God's rest too. I didn't get frustrated when I would make a hole that was in the wrong place. I simply said, "Oh well." Then when I finished it I had a few tweaking things to do to make it sit just right, but God was in that too and completed it. I give all the glory to God. He helps me in everything I do. I sometimes forget and find myself in a "mess", but when I call upon Him, He is faithful to pull me out. It's because He knows my heart is a believing heart. Not that I do everything right, that's for sure, but that my heart is right toward Him.

Someone asked me recently how I stay "alive" in the ministry. I said I stay transparent and honest before God. Yes, all the stuff I may tell God isn't lovely, but it's honest and truthful. That's all God expects of us, to be honest. It's the TRUTH that makes us free - even if it's not a pretty truth. Our job is to confess and stay clean before God, His job is to clean us and fix our messes and restore.

INDEPENDENCE day!

July 4th, a great day to celebrate. It commemorates the day we were made independent as a free nation.

That's a good thing - but we still need to stay dependent on God. Too many have become independent. The bible teaches that we are to be dependent upon God. I know that from ministry, many individuals who have been self-reliant are self-absorbed, they have lots of issues in their lives because they have been taking care of themselves for so long, unable to allow anyone else (God) to truly take care of them.

God wants us to be dependent upon Him and Him alone. Not independent of Him. Something to think about!

TOM’s TIDBITS

Betrayal

One night as I was reading a few emails to my husband that individuals sent me for ministry (he often gives insight and prayer to help), he said this: "In every one of the emails, there seems to be a single thread that runs through each life. Each person was betrayed." As I thought of that, I totally have to agree. People have been hurt by the person closest to them in many cases. Jesus was no different. The one that dipped his hand in the cup at the last supper, the one who spent three years learning from Jesus himself, the one who kissed Him to indicate He was the Christ, and was one of His disciples, betrayed Him. Are we then any different? (Selah)

INsight on Disease:

DEPRESSION

An antidepressant drug such as Prozac many times deals with depression. Clinically speaking depression is a result of a chemical imbalance in the body produced by conflict at the spirit and/or soul level in which the limbic system responds to this stress and the depression is a result of the chemical imbalance produced by the body in response.

Spiritually speaking, depression is caused from an un-loving spirit toward self, resulting in self-rejection or rejection of another. Anytime you come into rejection of self, this will manifest in your body. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick." (Proverbs 13:2.