http://www.luannprater.com Luann's Blog en-us Nucleus CMS v3.32 � Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.luannprater.com/nucleus/nucleus2.gif http://www.luannprater.com http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=971
For years, I'm sure she heard harshness disguised as advice.

Women I refer to as 'the oners' (those married only ONE time) often whisper, stare and avoid this broken girl, but this week God revealed another reality.

Let's crack open this story in the 4th chapter of John and try to visualize this girls life.

She was born, just like you and me, full of promise and hope. She was once a cute, chubby cheeked little baby, cooing, drooling and crawling. She probably had dreams of becoming a wife and mother. There were most likely women in her village that she emulated.

Yet, somewhere along the way her life was shattered. Maybe by a wrong choice but I suspect something or someone stripped away her value at a very early age.

I bet there were many attempts at finding a true friend over the years. Wounded women limp along with one arm reaching out and the other guarding the next attack.

It becomes easy to spot the ones who blatantly ridicule and badger, yet there is one that is more dangerous because of the disguise. The emotionally crippled fall prey to the upright finger-pointers.

If we've never had cancer, we shouldn't spew advice on how to survive it. If we've never lost a child, we shouldn't spit recommendations on how to 'get over it'. Likewise, if we've never been damaged by divorce, how can we speak into the dark places of a wounded heart?

This woman at the well needed what we all do, a loving arm, a listening ear, a fervent prayer and a finger pointing us to the Savior.]]> General http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=971 Wed, 16 May 2012 07:09:25 -0500 http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=969
Sometimes it's hard.

Other times it's exciting.

But always, it's unknown.

Change is coming.

Not just for me, but for you too. God opens doors and closes them.

He gives opportunities and waits to see if we notice. But sometimes we are so busy being busy we miss it.

And that opportunity to grow is gone.

He will keep offering 'new' to us, but we have to choose to go where He leads.

He took me to Proverbs 3 to the passage you've read or heard a hundred times.

Only He pressed them into my DNA today:

"Trust in Me, your Lord, today, Luann, with ALL your heart;
don't depend on your own understanding because you will not get it right ;o).
Seek MY will in all you do, not what others are whispering, telling or screaming for you to do.
Look up here, see My Face, hear My Voice, walk in My Way and I will show you what path to take.
Do you believe Me Luann?
Do you trust Me Luann?
It's ok to tune out the clanging.
Put your Heavenly Headset on and listen with all you've got. I'm leading You and I'm trustworthy."

Loosening my grip on other things and people and grasping tightly to His Hand today.

Excited to see the change! ]]> General http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=969 Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:13:56 -0500 http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=967
My friend in a tiny package, Ramona, did just that this morning.

She is small but spunky. When she points that commanding finger, you listen.

Read Psalm 91.

I finished reading the passage, then she put a cd in my computer and directed me to sit (felt a bit like a canine, yet obeyed)

Standing in front of me, she delivered the most precious gift.

My friend knows me. She understands that sometimes I just need to be reminded of this Truth.

With tears streaming, the song filled the room, and as The Sisters sang, Ramona lifted her hands and signed each word.

The song?

Under His Wing

POWERFUL!

]]> General http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=967 Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:51:01 -0500 http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=965
Our abundance is almost maddening.

I say almost, because clearly I haven't done anything to change it!

Is it because I was once a single mom of 3 and working 3 jobs? Is it because our family gave one gift at Christmas, a doll a stuffed animal, a book?

Why are my closets full and my pantry stuffed?

I'll confess it, I'm afraid.

It seems life should work just the opposite but not so in my case.

If you've lived with little, you already know how to do it, so why are there neglected clothes on the hangers? Why is the storage room packed to the door?

I'm not a hoarder....yet ;o)

But there must be a since of security in material things otherwise I would be more willing to 'let go' of it.

In Matthew the 10th chapter, Jesus sent out his best buds with these instructions:
Go and as you go preach this message, the kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.

FREELY YOU HAVE RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He went on:
Do not take along any gold or silver (no purse or credit card) or copper belts; no bag for the journey, or extra tunic (or shoes or jeans); for the worker is worth his keep.

Ok, let me stop right there and acknowledge, this isn't the word-for-word scripture, it's what God is pressing on my heart.

The blitz is on! I've pulled out every single item from my closet and dresser. I've separated it into what I actually wear and what I don't. What is summer and winter. What is trash and what may be a treasure to a single mom, with three kids trying to make ends meet.

As the old song says, "All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go."

Simplify.

Want to join me?]]> General http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=965 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:07:29 -0500 http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=963
If I'm honest, it is where I spend way too much time searching for comfort.

The first time I noticed the kitchen as a lean-to for my weariness was on the phone with my two sisters and mom as they let me be partially present during my dad's final minutes this side of heaven.

I was alone...in the middle....of the floor.

First pacing, then slumping, then sobbing, then sliding into the middle of the floor sitting in my tears.

That cold tile seems to be the landing zone of choice after words or circumstances rip open my heart.

Spent some time on the floor this week....in the kitchen...

and there it is, my comfort.

No, not the donut, although I'm very tempted.

God's Word resting on the island.

Putting my Trust right there,

There is no where else to turn when my world spins.

He's building character through my circumstances and therefore I have hope.

Romans 5:3 ]]> General http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=963 Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:15:22 -0500 http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=961
REST

The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Exodus 33:14

Gigantic hurdles in my path made it hard to see the finish line or continue running the race.

Easter news nearly buried me.

So God gave me this verse. He said, "Shut down. Be still. Come to Me. Everyone and everything else can wait. Rest."

As if God was patting my head and whispering,"Rest," my eyes shut without resistance and without guilt.

Today, He let the sun rise over my lake with magnificent stripes of color sweeping to the left and right.

Think I'll shake out all my markers and pass them to the Master Designer.

He's painting a new picture in my life and yours. ]]> General http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=961 Tue, 10 Apr 2012 07:45:08 -0500 http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=958
Taylor Field, author of Upside Down Leadership talks about the root word for humility. It's humus.

I know, my mind went to the stuff I spread on crackers!

But it actually means, 'dirt'

Humus is also the root word for humor.

Lord, make me not afraid to laugh. When You ask us to be humble, are You saying, "Yea, get down there in the dirt. Lower your expectations of others Luann and instead, point them to Me. I will never let them down."

Father, spread some humor and humility on my life.

Teach me that You weren't kidding when You said,
"So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am Your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will hold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Believing You've got this thing Lord, in Jesus' name, amen.

Think I'll go outside, sit on the beautiful dirt and laugh at the days to come ;o)
Want to join me?]]> General http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=958 Fri, 6 Apr 2012 12:09:08 -0500 http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=957


Left to my own ability, we would all be in jeans and a t-shirt, eat same colored food and drive sensible cars.

Thank you Lord for making my friends clever and cutsie ;o)

(my grandkids will benefit during Grandpa and Grandma camp this summer)
]]> General http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=957 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 07:15:08 -0500 http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=955
I also know that God brought you to this page at this moment on purpose. He is calling you to come closer.

Maybe you've squeezed him in between soccer and swim team.

Maybe this morning you rattled off your list of needs like a kid on Santa's knee.

Maybe you hurt too much to speak at all.

It's time.

He is calling your name.

Come get EXTREME encouragement with girlfriends who are right there with ya.

Jennifer didn't know if she would make it to the EXTREME event in Destin, FL, she is so glad she did.



Join us in Winston Salem, NC April 20-21. You will be so glad you did.

]]> General http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=955 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:38:00 -0500 http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=953
Karen reminds me why we traipse across the country to share God's EXTREME message with women. May we never lose sight of this impact.



We're coming to Winston Salem, NC April 20-21st. Bring a friend and join us! ]]> General http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=953 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 06:01:33 -0500