Sunday, December 9, 2012

'Tis the Season



It was the Saturday night after Thanksgiving, a few years back.  I spent the day decorating and finished around 8:00pm that night.  I turned the fireplace on and turned some Christmas music on.  I then went into the kitchen to make some hot chocolate, when I was startled by a knock at my front door.

When I opened the door, I was surprised to see him standing there.  He didn't live in L.A. at the time and I had no idea that he was in town.  He has always been like a father figure to me.  Someone I honor, respect, and someone I could confide in.

He said, "I came to see your trees," in a vampire like voice.  I started to giggle and hugged him.  He grabbed the hot chocolate out of my hand and started drinking it.  He walked in, began looking around at my Christmas trees and jokingly said, "How many tweez does a butterflyz needz?  Survey says... F.I.V.E.Z."  We both started laughing.

I have always loved Christmas trees and I have several of them (probably more than five), throughout my place, with different themes.  I have a Cross and Angel wings tree, a Royalty King's tree, a TX Cowboy tree, an Elvis Rock N' Roll tree, a Butterfly and dove feathers tree, a Purple tree, and a Rosemary coffee tree in the kitchen (with Starbucks ornaments hanging on it), which smells amazing and you can cook with it, too.

I told him that I would make him something to eat and I headed into the kitchen.  Some time had passed, when he entered the kitchen and opened up the oven.  He started eating the potato fries (which were too hot and not quite done).  I told him that he was going to burn himself and to wait.  ;)

He said, "I need to stay for a few days, but don't tell anyone that I'm here!" He then walked back into the living room.  And I yelled, "I won't tell a soul."  But at the same time, I was thinking...  how am I supposed to hide a famous Rock Star for a few days???  haha




I finished cooking and went into the living room, with his food.  I could tell that he had been crying.  "There's such a sense of peace in your place, I can't explain it, but it's so unreal." he said.

I smiled and thanked him.  It was such a SWEET compliment, because I knew he could feel the presence of God.  For my home was my sanctuary.  I prayed, worshipped, anointed and thanked God daily, in my home.

After he finished eating, he began to tell me what was happening in his life and a few things about his girlfriend.  I had only met her once, but I had discerned that she wasn't good for him.  Although, I would never meddle in his relationship, nor would I ever tell him what to do.  I was just there to listen to him and pray for him.  And all I cared about was, that he was happy.

He also told me how hurt he was, over his friends and bandmates.  But most of all, he shared how much he loved his kids and that he felt like he was a terrible father.  I reassured him, that he IS a wonderful daddy and spending quality time with them was the most important thing.  He told me, that one of his daughters hadn't spoken to him for months and that he couldn't bare to spend the holiday's, without all of his children.

We talked for several hours and then I said, "Well, 'tis the season for miracles, so let's believe that Jesus will restore all of your broken relationships."  He half smiled at me, but I could tell that he really didn't believe it was possible.  He looked disheartened and exhausted.

I said, "Why don't you go to the guest room and lay down."  He agreed and started heading up the stairs.  I went to get him some fresh towels and placed them on the chair in the guest room.




He laid down on the bed and he didn't look well, at all.  I was worried about him, so I asked him if I could get him anything else?  He said, "I'm in a lot of pain, will you come over here and pray for my back?"  I walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed.

I laid my hands on his back and I began to pray.  He moaned a bit and then he said, "How do you do that?"  "Do what?" I asked.  "I can feel heat, on my back," he replied.  I said, "that's not me... it's the Holy Spirit."  He laughed and said,  "Oh yeah, I forgot you have supernatural powers."

I laughed and then I continued praying for his back.  He began to mumble something (that I didn't understand), and then he fell fast asleep.  I turned off the light, closed the door, and went into my bedroom.

I continued to pray for his back, his children, his girlfriend, and the boys in his band, before I went to sleep.  I asked God to restore all of his relationships and to heal his broken heart.  I also thanked God, for bringing him here.  Out of all the places he could go and all the people he knows, I was truly thankful that he felt like my place was a safe haven.

For three days, he never left the bedroom, never picked up his phone, never got online, or turned the TV on.  He spent most of the time reading books and sleeping.  I didn't bother him and I only went in there to feed him, or ask him if he needed anything?!

As he was leaving to head back home, he said, "I'm taking a piece of your tree with me, for good luck"... as he plucked one of the feathers off of my butterfly/dove tree, put it in his mouth and swallowed it.

"OMG!!!  Hahaha... You are CRAZY!" I said.  He took his scarf off and wrapped it around my neck.  Then he hugged me, kissed me on the forehead and said, "You're an angel, thank you!  This is the best 'Hotel Farfalla'... ever."  And he walked out the door.




A week or so had passed by, when I received a message from his daughter (the one that wasn't speaking to him).  His kids found out that he had been in town, over Thanksgiving weekend.  They were upset that he didn't contact any of them or tell anyone.  I shared with her, what he was going through and reassured her how much her daddy loves her and all of his children.

After our conversation, she ended up contacting her father.  She made plans to visit him for Christmas (along with the rest of her siblings), and they all rang in the New Year together.  It was a true Christmas MIRACLE.

You SEE, we often think that those that seem to have it all, don't need anything or anyone at all.  But they just might be the ones that are hurting the most.

Sometimes all a friend really needs is...

Someone to PRAY for them and to BELIEVE in them.

A place they can go to be fed and a place to REST their head.




BELIEVE... for it IS the season of MIRACLES.



4:57 hehe




Monday, September 17, 2012

Is My Love Enough?

"it's not enough"... x


There he stood (in all his glory), as people surrounded him waiting to get his autograph, a photograph, or just to be in his presence.  I watched their faces light up at the sound of his voice.  He was sharing stories with them and telling jokes.

I wanted to get closer but I was taught to NEVER enter a king's court, unless he calls you by name.  In other words, never enter his vicinity or circle (wherever that may be), unless he asks you or invites you.

He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at me and I smiled back.  He then held up his finger, as if to say... give me a minute.

So I waited in the wings and enjoyed all the love that surrounded him.

A few minutes later, his guardian angel Elvis (a.k.a. Francis), walked up and pulled me away. "Hey darling, I need you to help me out with something,"  he said.  I thought that was kind of funny because I'm usually the one that's asking for his help.  haha

I said, "Sure, anything, what do you need me to do?"  I noticed that he had black leather gloves on and stuff in his hands.  He handed me his water (to free up his hands), as he reached into his coat pocket.

"I need you to give this to him and tell him to play it and record it," he said. "Ok, of course I will," I replied.  I glanced down at the CD and I noticed the 'Title' to the song.  "I've never heard this song before?"  I said.  "I know, I just recorded it,"  he replied.

He then kissed me on the forehead and said...

"Sweetheart, don't worry about what people are saying about him... they don't understand the LEGACY of a king, nor the footsteps one must take to fulfill it."

"I know this.  My heart just hurts to see him being hurt.  But I know that Jesus is protecting him and he also has the best guardian Angel, this side of Heaven. hehe

"Haha... Amen!  Hey, do you remember the story I told you about when I smashed the grapes on the fender of the car?"

I started laughing... "Yes, how could I forget?"

"The reason I did that is because he would've never been able to CREATE the color I wanted the car painted, unless he SAW it first...

Listen to me honey, don't become weary... everything is going according to plan... His hour has come to be glorified...

Remember this before the year strikes midnight."

"What?  Remember what?  Do you mean by December?  Of this year or...?"


"i'm hangin' by a vine"... x


As I awoke from this dream, I couldn't shake it off of my mind.  It seemed so vivid and real.  I wrote the dream down in my journal and I started asking God a million questions.

I began to think about how God changes the times and seasons, removes kings and sets up kings.  And how He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those that have insight.  But I didn't know what to do with this dream?!

I was perplexed?  How in the world was I supposed to download a song from Heaven and give it to him?  I wasn't given the lyrics, nor did I hear the song? He was also out of town (at the time), and I didn't want to bother him with my dream.

Besides, he has dozens of beautiful (new), songs already and I didn't want to add more pressure to him.  I guess it was partly my own doubt and fear? Or in some ways, maybe it was just my pride?  I didn't want to sound more foolish or crazier than I already do.  haha

So, I decided not to say anything and to wait and see if I would get another piece to this dream.

But it was then that it seemed as if my dreams went through a drought.  I wasn't having any dreams at all or at least I couldn't remember them.  It was complete SILENCE.

As the months passed by, I had forgotten all about this dream.


"For your love is better than wine." ~Song of Songs


A few weeks ago, I was out by the pool.  It was a warm sunny day with a slight breeze.  I closed my eyes and felt the sun on my face.  I could hear the beautiful sound of the water fountain, in the background.

After awhile, I decided to jump into the pool and cool off.

As I came up out of the water, I noticed the clouds had suddenly appeared and covered up the sun.  And just like that, it began to rain.  I looked up at the sky and smiled.  I thanked God for this miracle and for pouring down His blessings. The sensation of swimming in the rain was amazing.

While I was swimming, I started to wonder how the people must have felt that actually got to SEE Jesus perform miracles.  Especially the very first time He had performed one, when He turned the water into wine.

If you don't know the story, I'll share it briefly with you...

Jesus and his disciples, were at a wedding and they ran out of wine.  His mother Mary came to Him and told Him that, they were out of wine.  Jesus said, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with me?  My hour has not yet come."  His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." Jesus then said to them, "Fill the water pots with water."  After they had filled them, He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast."  They took it to the master and poured him the wine. When the master of the feast tasted the wine, he called the bridegroom and said, "Every man brings out choice wine first and then the cheaper wine, after the guests have had too much to drink; but you saved the best till now."

This was the first MIRACLE Jesus performed, which manifested His GLORY. And His disciples BELIEVED in Him.



What fascinates me about this story (aside from the actual miracle), is that Jesus told His mother that His time hadn't come yet.  But, yet He still performed the miracle anyway?

So, what made Him perform this miracle if it wasn't time yet?  Was it Mary's faith (by telling the servants), or was it the servants obedience that drew it out?  I believe it was BOTH.

One drew it out, the other poured it, and Jesus performed it.

The Bible says that after this miracle, His disciples believed in Him.  You see, sometimes people won't BELIEVE unless they SEE a miracle.

"Unless you people see signs and wonders,
you will by no means believe."


Jesus serves the best wine... last.


The next morning as I was at church, my Pastor was preaching and he said...

"God gets something to you... to get it through you!  The only way to get it through you, is through your MOUTH.  It might be a dream, a word, a song, or an idea... but the MIRACLE is on your lips...

We need to release whatever is inside of us.  Because what's inside of us, might be the very thing that someone else needs to HEAR.  It's not up to us to turn the water into wine but we need to fill the water pots, draw the water out, and allow Jesus to turn it into wine."

He then continued on by saying that sometimes when God is silent, that is when He's working the most.  And just because we haven't SEEN the miracle yet, doesn't mean it won't happen.


Release the sound that's inside of you.


Later on that evening, I was cleaning up the dishes and x was in the other room practicing.  I heard him call my name.  He yelled for me to come in there and listen and he asked me to bring him some water.  I glanced up at the clock and it was a quarter to twelve.  I grabbed a bottle of water and poured myself a glass of wine.

As I walked into the room there was a strong ambiance that filled the air.  I can't explain it, but I could feel a beautiful presence in the room.  I could smell the scent of the vanilla candles that were burning and I noticed his Bible was sitting on top of his piano.

I listened, as his fingers danced across the keys.  It felt like HONEY had just dripped into my soul.

I closed my eyes as he began to sing.  I inhaled his sweet aroma and all that was pouring out of him.  I had never heard him sing this song before? It was beyond beautiful, just like swimming in the rain.

As he was singing, I recognized the lyrics to the 'Title' of the song that Elvis a.k.a Francis had given to me (months earlier), in my dream.

I couldn't believe what I was HEARING.  It was then that I RECALLED the words that Elvis/Francis had spoken, "Remember this, before the year strikes midnight."

Instantly, it felt as if someone had just lit a match inside the pit of my stomach and my soul was on FIRE.  I felt a surge of electricity shoot from my head, down to my toes and back up again.

My eyes began to sting and they started to water.  I wiped my eyes and opened them.  I was ASTONISHED at the sight that was before me.

I SAW angels surrounding him as he played.  I put my hand over my mouth in complete shock.  Something so deep was transpiring and I was MESMERIZED.

Glory filled the entire room, as I watched his countenance begin to change. His face was shining and his eyes were sparkling.  I was experiencing a MIRACLE, right before my EYES.

Then he abruptly stopped playing and said, "did you hear that?"  I was speechless!  I couldn't say anything, I just shook my head, yes.  "were you singing?"  he asked.  I shook my head, no.

"well, what was that echo?... what's wrong?... you look like you just saw a ghost."

"That wasn't an echo... I just saw angels surrounding you and I think they were singing along?!"


He started to laugh... until he realized that I wasn't joking.

There was a peaceful SILENCE in the room, as he paused for a moment.

He then put his head down and quietly said, "the way you speak sometimes, takes my breath away."

Tears filled my eyes as I asked him, "Whose song is that?"

"it's my song... it's something new that i've been working on... it just came to me a few months back, in the middle of the night."

"You need to play it and record it."

"you think?"

"Yes, it IS more than enough!  Remember this... the dancer becomes the DANCE."

He smiled, leaned over, kissed me on the cheek and said...

"and the dreamer becomes the DREAM."




Let it flow, from the inside... out.



Elton John ~ Something about the way you look tonight


"With your smile,
You pull the deepest secrets from my heart
In all honesty, 
I'm speechless and I don't know where to start"



Friday, August 17, 2012

Diamonds and Butterflies

"your little halo hung sideways" ~Kevin Max



Diamonds and Butterflies by:  Kevin Max

we made magic
in a secret place
far from towns
where people could see
or hear our incarnations
of faith, love and the future
we prayed to the God of mercy
we prayed to the God of grace
we kneel quietly underneath the trees
and place our souls at His feet
we pray that the metamorphosis inside us
finds its wings
we pray that those wings will fly
far and wide
delivering good news and medicine
in the way of Creation
in the Son we shine
like diamonds on a hilltop
covered up by the dirt
from the great flood
and uncovered
by the great wind of time
we made magic
in a secret place
and all will know
and be
effected.


"I find your beautiful mind, in everything"... 



Kevin Max ~ Existence


In HONOR of my friend Kevin Max...

The first time I saw Kevin perform live, it felt as if the Heaven's opened up and an Angel began to sing.  His voice pierced right through my soul, like a strong wind.  I was completely awestruck.

One thing that I love IS a great poet and lyricist.  Kevin's songwriting skills are so deep and mind blowing.  His voice is angelic-like.  His covers of Queen, John Lennon and Elvis Presley (just to name a few), are out of this world.  He IS an amazing singer, songwriter and poet... but most of all he has a BEAUTIFUL heart.

His resume and grammy's speak for themselves but if you've never read his poetry or heard his music, take a listen.  He will not disappoint.

When asked to describe him, you might often hear people use the words 'flamboyant' or 'eccentric.'  But when I was asked if I could describe Kevin's music in ONE word, my response was, "Christmas."  Not just because he has a beautiful Christmas album, but because his VOICE and music IS a DIVINE gift from God.

I thank the Lord for his EXISTENCE.

Thank you Kevin for this beautiful poem that you wrote for me.

Much love to you, your gorgeous wife, your precious children and the entire ROYAL Max family.

May you be HONORED and CELEBRATED today and ALWAYS!

Happy Birthday 'Diamond.'

I LOVE YOU!


"I find your beautiful eyes, see everything"... 



"I find your beautiful eyes, see right through me"...



Kev and I ~ Pink Christmas '06


SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SONG...


Kevin Max ~ Beautiful Mind



"I find your beautiful eyes
see everything,
so show me something
beautiful, please."






Kevin Max ~ Twitter
Kevin Max ~ Facebook



Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Popcorn from Heaven

"will you pick me up some of that popcorn?"... x


I was having coffee with my friend Trevor from Nashville and we were talking about life.  I told him that life is like a movie script.  God has already written our script and we choose the role we want to play.  He said, "Well what?  Is God just up in Heaven, watching us and eating popcorn?

I started laughing, knowing that he was only joking.  But at the same time I knew that he was speaking out of frustration.  He had been going through something for a long time and he was irritated.

I told him to start thanking God for the gifts that he's been blessed with and not to focus on what he doesn't have.  I told him to keep writing and playing country music because his gift is a blessing to others.  And every girl loves a "heartbreakin' country love song."  ;)

As we were leaving, he said, "You have a strange way, of being able to change my perspective about life... in a good way, that is!  Knowing you, you've probably tasted the popcorn." haha

Well, that got me thinking...

I wonder what the popcorn tastes like, in Heaven?


"My covenant I will not break,
nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips."


As I began writing this, I thought about what the Bible says, "Looking onto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith."  An "author" is someone who writes and creates a story.  And a "finisher" is someone who brings it to an end and completes it.

I also remembered what King David said to God, "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book."

Although God has already written our script, we will often times find ourselves rewriting it.  Maybe we don't want to do it God's way or maybe we think we can write our own story, better?

There are several people in the Bible that also rewrote their own script.  I will briefly share two of their stories with you...

The first story is about Jonah the Prophet... God told Jonah to go to Ninevah and speak to the people on his behalf, in order to save them.  Jonah hated the people of Ninevah, because they were wicked.  He wanted God to destroy them and he refused to go there and speak to them.  He then ran from God, in the opposite direction and got into a boat.  A huge storm came and he was thrown overboard.  He was then swallowed by a big fish.  Once inside the belly of the fish, he began to pray to God and thanked Him for his gift.  He then agreed to go to Ninevah.  Suddenly the fish vomited and spit him out.

The second story is about Abraham... God promised him all the inheritance of the land.  Once Abraham obtained the land, he was concerned that he had no children to leave his estate to.  God came to him in a dream.  He told him, that he wouldn't leave the earth childless and he would have a son.  God then told him, to look up to heaven and count the stars and that's how many his descendants would be.  But, years had passed and Abraham and his wife Sarah, were getting old.  They still hadn't had any children and had doubts, that it would ever happen.  They then decided to take things into their own hands and have a child, through a surrogate birth.


"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.


In both instances they ripped the pages out of Heaven's script and rewrote their own story.  This caused them much pain and grief.

Many of us tend to do the same thing.  We become frustrated and tired of waiting on God.

Maybe we make a wrong decision or head in the opposite direction?  We jump into the wrong boat and suddenly a storm hits us.  We then feel like we're stuck in the belly of a whale.  At other times, we might doubt that it's ever going to happen for us.  It's too late and we're getting too old.  We then come up with our own way of making it happen.

One thing that I have learned though, is that our destiny is connected to another person.  That other person might also be rewriting their own script, which may cause delay's in our promise from God.

If you look at the wheel on a bicycle for a moment, it has several spokes. The spokes give the wheel strength and holds it together to keep it moving. But, if some of the spokes are broken or missing, the wheel becomes weak. On the other hand, if the wheel has a flat tire then it's not going anywhere. But, all the tire really needs is some new spokes and a little air.  This will strengthen the wheel and get it to move, so it can fulfill its purpose.

The obstacles and delay's in life sometimes cause us to become discouraged or depressed.  At times we might feel like we're on top of the wheel and at other times we feel like we're on the bottom.  But how we taste our situation is all that really matters.  Regardless of what we are facing in life, we have the choice to be bitter or sweet.

King Solomon said, "to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under Heaven."  He then went on to give us examples, of the times and seasons that we will all go through, such as, "a time to weep and a time to laugh."  Our seasons in life won't last forever and they will come and go.  But how we react or respond during those seasons, could change everything.

"the end of a thing is better than its beginning."


"Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of the things not seen."


Just like in the case of Jonah and Abraham.  Jonah ended up going to Ninevah and speaking to the people.  He witnessed God's love and mercy for them and for himself.  I believe his heart was softened and an entire city was saved, as a result of it.  And in the end, God blessed Abraham and Sarah with their very own son, which effected generations to come.

You see... it's not just about us.  The choices we make in life not only affect us but they affect everyone that is connected to us.  Like every movie, there are different characters, that play different parts.  Every person we come in contact with, we have the power to impact by the choices we make.

We also have the ability to change our own character.  We can play our part, play a different part, or we can sit back and watch the movie of our life pass us by.  We can either, follow Heaven's script or rip out the pages and throw them in the trash.

The funny thing is, if you look at crinkled paper in a trash can, it actually resembles popcorn.  Well, we might have a lot of trash cans here on earth but I doubt there are any in Heaven.

Maybe we need to start looking up to Heaven.  Smell the SCENT of the freshly, popped popcorn and enjoy its FLAVOR.

You may find that your greatest TREASURE is in the midst of your trash.

In the end, it's NOT about our reputation or what people think about us.  But it's our CHARACTER that makes all the difference in the world.

Our character... is the SOUNDTRACK of our life.

BELIEVE that your script is in Jesus' hands, for He is faithful and SHALL fulfill His promises.



Which brings me back to my first thought...

I don't know what the popcorn tastes like in Heaven but I think I might have a pretty good idea. 




"For I know the thoughts
that I think towards you, says the Lord,
thoughts of peace and not evil,
to give you a future and a hope."





He knows where He's taking you...
So enjoy the music along the way.




"The waste basket is a writer's best friend." ~Isaac Bashevis Singer

Sunday, July 1, 2012

The Reception

"did you get the message on my t-shirt?"... x


I saw the name on the back of her T-shirt so I began to follow her up the hill. As I was following her, someone must have hit the rewind button because I started going backwards really fast, back down the hill.

I screamed, "Stop!"  And suddenly, I stopped.  I then began running back up the hill towards the gate.  By the time I got there, she was long gone.  I knew that I had to get inside in order to find her.

As soon as I entered the gate, the power was so intense that I felt paralyzed and couldn't walk.  My legs gave out on me and I fell down on my hands and knees, in the middle of the street.

It was then that my Guardian angel Tobias (Jesse Presley), and his twin brother Francis (Elvis Presley), came and picked me up.  One of them were on each side of me, holding me up. Tobias said, "Remove your sandals."  I slipped off my heels and my white frilly socks.

"Take your sandals off your feet,
for the place where you stand is holy ground"

My legs began to straighten up and I resumed the strength back in my legs. I then asked them if they would help me find the woman with the long brown hair, wearing the white T-shirt.  They said they couldn't help me because they had to get to the reception.  I asked, "What reception?"  But they had vanished.

I started walking around and everything was so bright and full of amazing colors.  The scenery was out of this world.  I also noticed that it was really busy.  People weren't just sitting around on the clouds, playing a harp. haha

I wanted to take pictures but I knew I wouldn't be there long.  I needed to hurry up and find this woman.

I saw several people crossing an intersection, so I thought this must be where the reception is being held?  I tried to get across to the other side, but some man was blocking me.  I tried to go around him, but whichever way I turned, he was there.

He finally said, "What are you looking for?"  I said, "I'm trying to get to the reception."  That's when he flashed a light that looked like a neon sword and screamed, "Go, go, go."

I started running as fast as I could, across the intersection.


"He makes everything beautiful in its time." ~King Solomon


When I got to the other side, I saw a gate that led to a pathway into a garden. I could see guards with glowing swords in front of the gate, near the pathway. They were fighting off people that were trying to get inside.

I wasn't sure if they would let me in but I started walking towards the path. That's when some of the people outside of the gate saw me.  They started screaming and shooting at me, with what appeared to be oversized syringes?!

One of the guards yelled, "Get behind me or they'll shoot you."  As I was running, I saw blood dripping from my hand.  I must have been cut by one of the syringes without realizing it.

I finally reached the guard and hid behind him.  As soon as I touched his back, the blood dried up on my hand and my wound healed.

Once I was closer, I could see the people that were trying to get in the gate. But they weren't actually people, they were some type of creatures or demons.  I was so scared that I couldn't bare to look, so I closed my eyes.

A few minutes later all the chaos stopped and the guard said I was safe to go. I asked him where the reception was being held and he said, "Walk through the garden."

I headed down a long pathway and was mesmerized, by how large the flowers were.  The scent was so strong and the garden was enormous.  I didn't know which way to go?  I started to feel disoriented, so I stopped for a moment to rest.


"Hope deferred makes the heart sick...


A few minutes had passed, when a baby lamb ran up to me.  The lamb seemed excited and had a high pitched voice that sounded like it was yelling at me.  I knew the lamb was trying to tell me something, but I couldn't understand lamb talk.  baaaaa!

I thought that maybe the lamb wanted me to hurry up and get to the reception, so I asked, "Which way should I go?"  The lamb started running towards the right side of the garden and I followed.

I finally made it to the reception.  As I approached the door, I noticed that they had these gold water pots filled with petals on the ground.  There were scarlet and gold benches in front of the water pots.  So, I sat down and placed my feet inside the golden pot.

Water began to pour down upon my feet, along with a light bluish colored soap.  A lady came over and knelt down to dry off my feet, with some type of white feathered towel.

She then held up some jewels in her hand and asked me which one I wanted, to wear on my foot?  They were absolutely beautiful diamonds and colorful jewels.  She had different shapes and colors, with flowers, animals and butterflies.  Of course, I chose the butterflies.  ;)

She placed the jewels on my right foot and hooked it, around my ankle.  I thanked her for the jewels, stood up and started walking into the reception.


...but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life."


As I entered the reception, it almost felt like I was walking through water.  I could sense GLORY all around me.  I felt like I wasn't Holy enough to even be there.

I kept walking and noticed candles along the table with name settings. There were so many names, that I thought it would be impossible to find mine.

I then heard Francis scream my name, so I started walking towards him. He said, "You made it... sit here, darling!"  There was an empty white seat in between us.

As soon as I sat down, I was startled by a loud voice that said, "BEHOLD."  I looked at my name setting on the table and my mouth dropped... I couldn't believe it!  I then looked over at Francis in shock.  He just winked and smiled at me.

The music began to play and I can't even begin to describe the sound that I heard.  I was in such awe that all I could do was look around in astonishment.

People started bringing in wine and bread.  I kept seeing loaves and loaves of bread, being brought in and it smelled delicious.  I was in such a state of amazement that I almost forgot, why I was there.

Shortly after, I saw three women walking in with more bread baskets.  I instantly knew that the woman in the middle, was the woman that I was looking for.

I got up out of my seat and ran over to her.  I said, "It is an honor to meet you, may I please see what the front of your T-shirt says?"  She put her head down, so I couldn't see her face and handed the woman on her right side, the basket of bread.

She then turned to leave, but I grabbed her by the arm and begged, "Pleeease, let me read your shirt."  She said, "You can't read it, because it isn't time... yet."

I pulled on her T-shirt to straighten it out, so I could read it.  But there was so much writing on it that I wasn't able to grasp it.  I tried my hardest to piece it together, but nothing was sinking in.  She was right, I couldn't read it.  I finally gave up trying.

I then asked her, "How will he ever know, it's me?"

And she said, "Because your face will glow."


"In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths"


After I awoke from this dream, I asked God to replay the dream for me.  I wanted to go back into my dream and see if I could read the T-shirt?

Sometimes, I wish that we had a video recording device that we could hook up to our dreams and tape record them.  That way we could replay our dreams, over and over.  Or a website like www.heaven.jc that we could log into and be able to research our dreams. haha

But, one thing that I have learned about faith and being a dreamer is...

Our dreams are like pieces to a puzzle and sometimes we only get one piece, at a time.  The hardest part is waiting for the next piece.

King Solomon said, "Where there is no vision, the people perish."  Our visions and dreams are like a word of hope.

Hope is the essence, which links faith and love together.  We need hope in order to believe.  And we need to believe, in order to reach our destiny.

As I was pondering this dream, I found it interesting that the definition of the word reception means... the act of receiving.  It is up to us, to receive the word and act or believe that it IS.

I also remembered the story about Jacob.  Jacob had wrestled with God and wouldn't let the angel go, until the angel blessed him.

This is exactly how I felt, I was wrestling with the angel in my dream.  But, I was also wrestling with God, after I was given the dream.  I was so consumed with getting all the answers that I missed the blessing.

You SEE, I didn't have to have all of the answers.  I didn't need to understand the message on the T-shirt or know everything.  And I didn't need to try and figure out how God was going to work all of it out.

God doesn't have to give us all the details.  He only needs to give us a word.

I received the word and the answer that I had been searching for, the moment I sat down at the reception table.

The BLESSING... was right in front of me.

BEHOLD

"A word fitly spoken, is like apples of gold in settings of silver."


The Rolling Stones ~ You can't always get what you want


"You can't always get what you want,
but if you try sometime,
you just might find,
you get what you need."



Saturday, June 9, 2012

Lost Love Letters

"i know that i ignored you, but i recorded everything you said"... x


It was several months ago late in the evening, when x and I returned home to his place.  I went to take a shower and he went into the living room to unwind. As I got out of the shower, I walked into the living room.  I could see the reflection of his face, from the fireplace that was burning.  He looked exhausted.  I walked over to the couch and sat down next to him.  I pulled the towel off of my head and asked him if he wanted something to eat?  He didn't answer me, so I just sat back and stared at the fire.

A few minutes later he said, "get before me."  I got up off of the couch and knelt down on the floor in front of him.  He pulled out an envelope from the bag that was next to him.  He opened up a letter, that contained a photograph inside.  The picture was a High School photo, from the Class of 1953.  He pointed to one of the men in the photo and asked me, "do you recognize him?"

I looked at the picture but I didn't know who he was?  He said the young man resembled my father (which I agreed), but it obviously wasn't my dad. It wasn't until x began reading the letter, sent from an old friend, of the man in the photo... that I finally realized who the man in the picture was.


"Where the word of a king is, there is power." ~King Solomon


The man who sent the letter, thanked x for sharing his gift of music.  And he also wanted to share a few things about his late friend, pictured in the photo. He told x about the good times, the bad times and the sad times, within this letter.  He also shared the qualities and characteristics of this man and the similarities, he recognized in x.

One thing he said that struck me deeply was, "It's not only about what we do with our love and our gift, while we're here on this earth... but the impact that our love and gift will have on millions of people, long after we're in Heaven."

As x continued reading the letter, he got choked up and paused for a moment. Once he continued reading, I began to cry...

The man explained how his friend often times felt lonely, even though millions of people admired him and loved him.  He wanted to give x hope, through the words of his old friend.  And he shared a letter from him and his friends favorite Bible verse, found in 1 Corinthians 13:1 or "The Love Chapter," as I call it.  ;)

He also wanted to give x a gift, like his friend would often do for others. The gift was a 1962 Ford Thunderbird.

He ended the letter with this, "Though I speak with tongues of men and angels, but have not love...  I am nothing."  We were both in tears after reading his letter.

I stood up to go get us some tissue and by that time x was hungry.  He wanted something quick and light to eat, so I went to the kitchen and grabbed us a bowl of Cap'n Crunch.

As I walked back into the living room, I noticed that he had poured out all of the letters from his bag, onto the floor. There were letters everywhere, from all around the world.


"Death and life are in the power of the tongue" ~King Solomon


We stayed up the rest of the night and into the early morning, reading the letters.  Some people shared pictures of their kids and families.  And many people shared how x's music had changed their lives.  Some letters made us laugh, some made us cry, some were filled with love, and some filled with hate.  I couldn't help but notice how his countenance would change, when he would read a hateful letter.  It hurt me so much, to see him get upset or hurt over what someone said.  It was like one hate letter would cancel out 100's of love letters.

It's amazing how powerful our words are and how they can affect someone, we don't even know.  We have the power to speak LIFE or DEATH into someone's life and into our own life, by what we say.  We can lift someone up or tear them down.  Our words create motion.  They can encourage and inspire someone to create or they can cause someone to lose hope and give up.    

After x had read several letters, I felt so much compassion for the people that sent them.  I also felt honored, that he shared them with me.  I loved hearing all of their stories and how so many of them felt connected to x, through his music.  Like I have said before... "Songs are like SECRET love letters to our soul."

These people were giving back to x, because he gave to them, through his music.  They just wanted to reach him, share with him, and touch him.  I thought, that they must be wondering if their letters were lost in the mail, if he ever received them, and/or hoping for a response from him?!

But how could one person respond to all of these letters?  If he responded to some and not to others, it wouldn't be fair.  And if there was no response, they would think that he didn't care.

I wanted to reach out to every single one of them and give them a sense of peace, by letting them know... that he is reading the letters, he does care, he is thankful, and he does appreciate them; very much.  You ARE reaching him and he IS touched by your words.

 

After x had finished reading 100's of love letters, he asked me, "do you honestly believe, that you could love someone, that you've never even met?" I said, "Well, I wouldn't love Jesus... if I didn't."  

Stunned by my response, he looked at me for a moment with a smirk on his face.  He then leaned over and whispered softly in my ear... "dove~love?" And I said, "Yes!"


"through your hands, the lyrics were downloaded from heaven"... x


Before I fell asleep, I prayed for all of the people who sent him the letters. I then began to think that sometimes our prayers feel like Lost Love Letters to Heaven.  We often wonder if God hears our prayers and if He'll ever answer them?  We want comfort and peace knowing that He is listening to us, but we also want a response back from Heaven.

What most people don't realize is that God IS not only answering our Love Letters but He's sending us letters, too.  He speaks to us in many different ways, through His word (a.k.a. His love letters to us, in the Bible), through other people, through music, and through our DREAMS.  But most people throw these love letters out like they are junk mail.  Never opening them up, reading them, or ever responding to them.

You SEE... our love, our prayers, our letters and our dreams, are never really lost.  But it is up to us to decide whether or not we are willing to give them and receive them.



I'll leave you with this story...

Elvis Presley wrote a Love Letter to God on a notepad from his Hilton Hotel suite in Las Vegas, on December 7, 1976.  It was his last performance in Las Vegas and just months prior to his death.  He then crumpled up the letter and threw it in the trash.  The next day, the maid found the letter and took it out of the trash.

A Love Letter to Heaven that might have been lost forever...

But it was retrieved and turned into a BEAUTIFUL song by Elvis' friend, Wayne Newton.


Wayne Newton ~ The Elvis Letter

"I feel so alone sometimes
the night is quiet for me
I would love to be able to sleep
I'm glad everyone is gone now
I will probably not rest tonight
I have no need for all of this
Help me Lord."








Friday, May 4, 2012

O Tel Aviv



From the hills of Tel Aviv
You can see the winding roads of the Holy City
Along the Mediterranean Sea
There is so much beauty in the scenery

The place where mysteries unfold
And the secrets of old are told
It's the closest to Heaven on Earth
You could ever be

The view is astonishing
The ocean breeze is therapeutic
A pure sense of serenity
And calmness in the air

In the city they call 'White'
It is quite exquisite
The weather is warm and soothing
And the wind feels like silk

The taste of Tel Aviv
Must be what 'Manna from Heaven,' tastes like
From the fresh bread and produce,
To the scent of the spices along the busy streets

A cafe's paradise
Amongst the sensuous sea
I thought I would grab a tea
Until someone gave me lemonade with mint leaves

A refreshing almost blissful drink
I walked along and admired the flowers in bloom
I could hear the laughter of the youth
So alive and full of life




I then went to the market place looking for a prayer Shawl
There is so much significance and sacredness
From the cloth, to the tassels,
Handmade in its artistic beauty

As I was shopping, I noticed the amazing jewelry
A few seconds later, a woman approached me...
She began sharing a story about the necklaces
Which were in the Hebrew alphabet

She said, "The couples wear the initial of their spouse
around their neck, close to their heart,
Never to depart.  Like we would wear a ring."
I picked up one of the necklaces, that resembled the letter 'X' in English




Then I asked her, if they wore the initial of the first or last name?
She said, "The first name... you're holding the letter 'A' in your hand."
I turned around to ask her a few more questions
but she had vanished before my eyes

I continued shopping, as the words of King Solomon recited in my mind
"Bind them continually around your heart, tie them around your neck."
I then came across an ancient looking treasure chest
With an inscription written on the outside




I opened it up and noticed a PRECIOUS stone inside
A beautiful greenish/blue stone that was supremely vibrant
It is known as the Eilat Stone or King Solomon's stone
Found in King Solomon's mines

As I held it in my hand, I could feel the temperature in my body change
It is said to be a HEALING stone for your broken heart
It heals all the pain, hurt, stress, fear, and loss you feel
It harmonizes your heart, mind, body and also promotes creativity

I felt a sense of peace inside, as I held onto this stone
It was then that a man walked up to me
And handed me a note that read...
"This is what the inscription says, on the outside of the treasure chest"...




I smiled and thanked him for the note
It was the famous words of King Solomon
Taken from the most beautiful love song ever written
'The Song of Songs.'

O Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv
Listen to the sounds in the street

As night fell upon the city
I could hear the musicians play
I went and listened to the prophetic sounds
And something so divine began to transpire

I could feel the presence of The King of Kings
All around and inside of me
I was in Awe and then my awe turned to shock
As I thought to myself, "How is this happening?"

The singer was singing in Hebrew but I could hear it in English
I had never experienced anything like this before
My spirit was actually translating his poetic voice
My eyes filled up with tears and chills went up and down my spine

His music, his eyes and his voice
Captured the voices of the Prophets of old
As the band paused for a moment,
He spoke these beautiful words...

"In your dreams
you can travel to distant places,
your spirit is there.
Music is the Essence, The Roots,
Ancient Voices, Mystery, Holiness.
There are no better songs or moving songs,
than The Psalms or The Song of Songs"

He then proceeded to play the song he wrote 'Mimaamakim,'
based on the words of King David in Psalm 130.

As I bowed my head and began to pray...

"Thank you Lord for Israeli
I Praise and Honor thee
I hope to one day be able to visit
The Holy Land and Tel Aviv
But I am so thankful,

My Spirit was sent
if only for one night...
in my dream."


O Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv
Listen to the sounds in the street

It is a gift from Heaven above
A MIRACLE taking place through music
The sound of LOVE, Devotion and Unity
It shall bring...

O Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv
Listen to the sounds in the street


Idan Raichel of Tel Aviv


The Idan Raichel Project ~ Mimaamakim (Out of the Depth)
Mimaamakim ~ Out of the Depth
From deep depths I called to you to come to me
with your return the light in my eyes will come back
it's not finished,
I am not leaving the touch of your hands
that it may come and light up and wake upon
hearing the sound of your laugh.
From deep depths I called to you to come to me
the moonlight I will again light your way to me
they're spread out and melted again
the touch of your hands
I whisper, ask in your ears:
Who is it that calls to you tonight - listen
who sings loudly to you - to your window
who put his soul so you'd be happy
who will put his hand and build you your home
who will give his life, put it underneath you
who will be like dust living at your feet
who will love you of all your lovers
who will save you from all evil spirits
from the deep depths.
From deep depths I called to you to come to me
the moonlight I will again light your way to me
they're spread out and melted again
the touch of your hands
I whisper, ask in your ears:
Who is it that calls to you tonight



For more info. click on the link below...

The Idan Raichel Project ~ Website