Sunset in Miranda, PontevedraOctober 27, 2011
And Isaac departed from there and camped in the valley of Gerar, and settled there.
Then Isaac dug again the wells of water which had been dug in the days of his father Abraham, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham; and he gave them the same names which his father had given them.
But when Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found there a well of flowing water, the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with the herdsmen of Isaac, saying, “The water is ours!”
So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him.
Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over it too,
so he named it Sitnah.
He moved away from there and dug another well,
and they did not quarrel over it;
so he named it Rehoboth, for he said,
“At last the LORD has made room for us,
and we will be fruitful in the land.”
- Genesis 26:17-22
He sent from on high, He took me;
He drew me out of many waters.
He delivered me from my strong enemy,
And from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.
They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
But the LORD was my stay.
He brought me forth also into a broad place;
He rescued me, because He delighted in me.
- Psalm 18:16-19
You enlarge my steps under me,
And my feet have not slipped.
- Psalm 18:36
Call to me and I will answer you
and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
- Jeremiah 33:3
When the month of October began thirty-one days ago, I already had a name for it.
October, as I say good-bye to you, my heart is filled with thanksgiving for how good you have been to me.
The words of David found in Psalm 139:16 always bring me great delight each time I remember them:
... all the days ordained for me were written in Your book
before one of them came to be.
before one of them came to be.
Truly, these words have been fulfilled in my life this past month.
Through the days and weeks of October, I had a deep sense that God had already written this chapter of my life story in His book in heaven, and I was simply walking through the script, bringing the written lines to reality.
How awesome is that? It gave my heart a feeling of walking through the wide open spaces of God's loving provision!
Surely, my circumstances were far from ideal, and on the human level, I felt like I was the target of an orchestrated attack. However, because of the deep love of the Father that I knew was surrounding me, there was no room for discouragement to set in.
When Jacob began to re-dig the wells that his father Isaac had built, the first two wells were met with strife and contention by the herdsmen of Gerar.
Esek means "dispute"; Sitnah means " contention."
Jacob showed wisdom and maturity in moving away from dispute, contention, and strife.
So must I. Strife is not my portion, contention is not the land where I want to dwell.
Jacob re-digs a third well, naming it Rehoboth.
Such a beautiful word! It literally means "broad places."
It also means "room enough."
Jacob makes this declaration: "At last the LORD has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land."
Rehoboth... this was the word that kept ringing in my spiritual ears this month.
I still remember the time God spoke this word to me. Ernie and I were living in Chiang Mai, Thailand when I was meditating on this story early one morning in 2008.
"I am bringing you into a broad, spacious land, " God had impressed upon my heart.
(Read Isaac: Redigging Old Wells)
Ever since, that special word has had an important place in my sacred journey.
Yes, there is a Rehoboth waiting for me, I am on my way to my Rehoboth... a place that is abundant, life-giving, and has room enough for love, mercy, grace, compassion, and kindness to flourish.
So many things happened this October.
October 1 to 9 was a period of transition for my daughter and I - of moving out from a place of comfort - my father's home, into a tiny rented room, somewhat cramped... with hardly enough space for all our things.
But... it opens up to a big garden, so there is still a sense of space; besides, it was the place God had prepared for us, the place where a friend had welcomed us, to accommodate my daughter, a place of provision at the right time, just when we needed it. For this, I am truly grateful.
On October 10, I returned to my home in Bacolod City with a sense of accomplishment and peace.
On October 13-15, I coordinated an Ancient Paths seminar for a group of nine persons here in Bacolod.
On October 23, my grandson Matt had a party to celebrate his third birthday.
On October 24 to 26, my friend Pat and I went to Iloilo City, located on another island, to do another Ancient Paths seminar upon the invitation of our friend, Lennie.
It was an amazing time of spiritual healing and breakthrough in all the nine participants who attended it.
Celebrating Dr. Zenia's birthday
October 25, 2011
Lennie, Pat, and me having an early dinner at Cafe Laguna
October 26, 2011
Here's our group picture with the Ancient Paths seminar participants
Iloilo City, October 26, 2011
On Thursday, October 27, Pat and I took the early morning boat trip back to Bacolod City. Upon arrival at the Port of Bacolod, we proceeded to the Sea Breeze Hotel for a quick breakfast before going to my friend Jing's beach house located in Pontevedra. The women of our church had a two-day prayer retreat at this lovely place by the sea.
The lessons taught by Helen Coromina, one of the prayer coordinators for Intercessors for the Philippines, all confirmed the same message God has been speaking to us these past months. He is looking for true intercessors, and true worshipers! We are called to stand in the gap, wherever there is a breach in the wall, and to stand on the ramparts as watchmen!
This is a season of deeper intimacy with God; one can be a true intercessor only if he or she has a history of intimacy with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Today, the last day of this October month, God spoke to me in a very special way.
At 6 a.m. I was walking to the neighborhood bakery, not too far from our home, to buy some bread. It was drizzling, and as I looked up, what did I see but a beautiful rainbow smiling down at me! I hurried back to the house to get my camera, but the rainbow was no longer there when I got out.
For a few moments this morning, that rainbow was a timely reminder to me of God's favor!
At noon, my friend Maggy invited me to a lunch she was hosting for her friends from Chicago, Pastor Richard and his wife Lillian. Again, this meeting proved to be another divine appointment for me. After lunch Richard gave me and Maggy a leather bracelet each. The words inscribed on the bracelet I received brought up a resounding Y-E-S from my heart:
These past weeks God has been speaking directly to my heart about my name, that it is connected to my calling, and to the particular season that I am entering. Once again, God has confirmed something in my heart, even though the messenger through which the message came is someone who doesn't even know me personally!
Before our time of prayer, Richard shared with us some of the things God has been impressing upon his heart - that as the year 2011 is about to end, the remaining months of this year will be a time of exiting, and entering in!
We are being called to bring this year to a close, and as we do so, we are to break old cycles, get rid of relationships where there is unequal yoking, and remove from our hearts any ingrained attitude and disposition that doesn't reflect the heart of Christ...
We are to prepare ourselves for 2012, a year when those who are willing and obedient will heed the call to enter a Jeremiah 33:3 season, a season of being consecrated, set apart for God's purposes.
I understand that God's purposes goes beyond my own personal concerns. They go hand in hand with His plans for our families... they extend far beyond the four walls of our local church, and the boundaries around our nation.
God's eternal agenda is far reaching, extending to the rest of the world. And today, more than ever, I am reminded that His purposes for these last days are somehow intertwined with the history of Israel!
I must remember not be too self absorbed, focusing only on the present events of my little world, or on the man made programs of my church.
God is reminding me, Look beyond... let go of self-pity, or self-focus... join Me in what I am doing! My purposes for you are bound up in my eternal plans for the rest of the world!
This invitation requires a response of faith. To anyone who hears what the Spirit is saying to the churches, 2012 ushers in the call to separation unto God Himself, that we may partner with Him in what He is doing. For each of us who will respond to His call, this really is the appointed time for favor to be shown to each of us, to His church, and to the nation of Israel.
As is written in Psalm 102:13,
How awesome is that? It gave my heart a feeling of walking through the wide open spaces of God's loving provision!
Surely, my circumstances were far from ideal, and on the human level, I felt like I was the target of an orchestrated attack. However, because of the deep love of the Father that I knew was surrounding me, there was no room for discouragement to set in.
When Jacob began to re-dig the wells that his father Isaac had built, the first two wells were met with strife and contention by the herdsmen of Gerar.
Esek means "dispute"; Sitnah means " contention."
Jacob showed wisdom and maturity in moving away from dispute, contention, and strife.
So must I. Strife is not my portion, contention is not the land where I want to dwell.
Jacob re-digs a third well, naming it Rehoboth.
Such a beautiful word! It literally means "broad places."
It also means "room enough."
Jacob makes this declaration: "At last the LORD has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land."
Rehoboth... this was the word that kept ringing in my spiritual ears this month.
I still remember the time God spoke this word to me. Ernie and I were living in Chiang Mai, Thailand when I was meditating on this story early one morning in 2008.
"I am bringing you into a broad, spacious land, " God had impressed upon my heart.
(Read Isaac: Redigging Old Wells)
Ever since, that special word has had an important place in my sacred journey.
Yes, there is a Rehoboth waiting for me, I am on my way to my Rehoboth... a place that is abundant, life-giving, and has room enough for love, mercy, grace, compassion, and kindness to flourish.
So many things happened this October.
October 1 to 9 was a period of transition for my daughter and I - of moving out from a place of comfort - my father's home, into a tiny rented room, somewhat cramped... with hardly enough space for all our things.
But... it opens up to a big garden, so there is still a sense of space; besides, it was the place God had prepared for us, the place where a friend had welcomed us, to accommodate my daughter, a place of provision at the right time, just when we needed it. For this, I am truly grateful.
On October 10, I returned to my home in Bacolod City with a sense of accomplishment and peace.
On October 13-15, I coordinated an Ancient Paths seminar for a group of nine persons here in Bacolod.
On October 23, my grandson Matt had a party to celebrate his third birthday.
On October 24 to 26, my friend Pat and I went to Iloilo City, located on another island, to do another Ancient Paths seminar upon the invitation of our friend, Lennie.
It was an amazing time of spiritual healing and breakthrough in all the nine participants who attended it.
Celebrating Dr. Zenia's birthdayOctober 25, 2011
Lennie, Pat, and me having an early dinner at Cafe LagunaOctober 26, 2011
Here's our group picture with the Ancient Paths seminar participantsIloilo City, October 26, 2011
On Thursday, October 27, Pat and I took the early morning boat trip back to Bacolod City. Upon arrival at the Port of Bacolod, we proceeded to the Sea Breeze Hotel for a quick breakfast before going to my friend Jing's beach house located in Pontevedra. The women of our church had a two-day prayer retreat at this lovely place by the sea.
The lessons taught by Helen Coromina, one of the prayer coordinators for Intercessors for the Philippines, all confirmed the same message God has been speaking to us these past months. He is looking for true intercessors, and true worshipers! We are called to stand in the gap, wherever there is a breach in the wall, and to stand on the ramparts as watchmen!
This is a season of deeper intimacy with God; one can be a true intercessor only if he or she has a history of intimacy with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Today, the last day of this October month, God spoke to me in a very special way.
At 6 a.m. I was walking to the neighborhood bakery, not too far from our home, to buy some bread. It was drizzling, and as I looked up, what did I see but a beautiful rainbow smiling down at me! I hurried back to the house to get my camera, but the rainbow was no longer there when I got out.
For a few moments this morning, that rainbow was a timely reminder to me of God's favor!
At noon, my friend Maggy invited me to a lunch she was hosting for her friends from Chicago, Pastor Richard and his wife Lillian. Again, this meeting proved to be another divine appointment for me. After lunch Richard gave me and Maggy a leather bracelet each. The words inscribed on the bracelet I received brought up a resounding Y-E-S from my heart:
These past weeks God has been speaking directly to my heart about my name, that it is connected to my calling, and to the particular season that I am entering. Once again, God has confirmed something in my heart, even though the messenger through which the message came is someone who doesn't even know me personally!
Before our time of prayer, Richard shared with us some of the things God has been impressing upon his heart - that as the year 2011 is about to end, the remaining months of this year will be a time of exiting, and entering in!
We are being called to bring this year to a close, and as we do so, we are to break old cycles, get rid of relationships where there is unequal yoking, and remove from our hearts any ingrained attitude and disposition that doesn't reflect the heart of Christ...
We are to prepare ourselves for 2012, a year when those who are willing and obedient will heed the call to enter a Jeremiah 33:3 season, a season of being consecrated, set apart for God's purposes.
I understand that God's purposes goes beyond my own personal concerns. They go hand in hand with His plans for our families... they extend far beyond the four walls of our local church, and the boundaries around our nation.
God's eternal agenda is far reaching, extending to the rest of the world. And today, more than ever, I am reminded that His purposes for these last days are somehow intertwined with the history of Israel!
I must remember not be too self absorbed, focusing only on the present events of my little world, or on the man made programs of my church.
God is reminding me, Look beyond... let go of self-pity, or self-focus... join Me in what I am doing! My purposes for you are bound up in my eternal plans for the rest of the world!
This invitation requires a response of faith. To anyone who hears what the Spirit is saying to the churches, 2012 ushers in the call to separation unto God Himself, that we may partner with Him in what He is doing. For each of us who will respond to His call, this really is the appointed time for favor to be shown to each of us, to His church, and to the nation of Israel.
As is written in Psalm 102:13,
You will arise and have mercy on Zion,
For the time to favor her,
Yes, the set time, has come.
As Richard spoke, his words were like the gentle rain falling on the softened ground of my heart.
Indeed, as I have personally experienced through the years, the difficult circumstances that come our way can be used as God's plowing tool on our hearts!
Two weeks ago I harvested three large bins of compost material. I had also been digging up and cultivating parts in my garden where the soil had become hard and dry due to the severe dry spell we had been experiencing this month. The rich compost matter made from fermented vegetable and fruit peel, coffee grounds, dried leaves and other garden waste were added to the softened soil. I took time to prune and cut back the overgrown bushes... Then, by divine providence, these past two days, gentle rain showers began to fall day and night over our city.
In just a couple of days, my garden burst forth with life and joy!
"First the natural, then the spiritual."
I believe God was giving me an external picture of the plowing and the cultivating He was doing in my own heart.
These timely words are falling like rain on the seedbed of my heart. The year 2012 will be a Jeremiah 33:3 season:
For the time to favor her,
Yes, the set time, has come.
As Richard spoke, his words were like the gentle rain falling on the softened ground of my heart.
Indeed, as I have personally experienced through the years, the difficult circumstances that come our way can be used as God's plowing tool on our hearts!
Two weeks ago I harvested three large bins of compost material. I had also been digging up and cultivating parts in my garden where the soil had become hard and dry due to the severe dry spell we had been experiencing this month. The rich compost matter made from fermented vegetable and fruit peel, coffee grounds, dried leaves and other garden waste were added to the softened soil. I took time to prune and cut back the overgrown bushes... Then, by divine providence, these past two days, gentle rain showers began to fall day and night over our city.
In just a couple of days, my garden burst forth with life and joy!
"First the natural, then the spiritual."
I believe God was giving me an external picture of the plowing and the cultivating He was doing in my own heart.
These timely words are falling like rain on the seedbed of my heart. The year 2012 will be a Jeremiah 33:3 season:
Call to Me and I will answer you
and show you great and mighty things,
fenced in and hidden,
which you do not know
(do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).
- Jeremiah 33:3 (Amplified Bible)
God is inviting us to enter into a season of self-consecration, that He may release to us fresh revelation... the unsearchable, great, mighty, unfathomable things that we would otherwise have no natural knowledge of. These are the "fenced in and hidden" secrets of God that He is going to reveal to the heart that is ready.
The year to come will be a turnaround year, a season of great blessings is about to be ushered in, as the faithful saints position themselves to receive,
allowing themselves to be sown unto the Lord,
gladly obeying the command to be disentangled from that which defiles, deceives, and distracts us from walking in the purposes of God.
I stand with Israel and believe the day is coming when God's promise to bring her to her own land will be fulfilled. It will be a spacious land, free from contention, not a land that another people claim to be their own!
For thus says the Lord God:
Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep
and seek them out.
As a shepherd seeks out his flock
on the day he is among the scattered sheep,
so will I seek out My sheep
and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered
on a cloudy and dark day.
And I will bring them out
from the peoples and gather them from the countries,
and will bring them to their own land;
I will feed them on the mountains of Israel,
in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country.
- Ezekiel 34:12, 13
Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep
and seek them out.
As a shepherd seeks out his flock
on the day he is among the scattered sheep,
so will I seek out My sheep
and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered
on a cloudy and dark day.
And I will bring them out
from the peoples and gather them from the countries,
and will bring them to their own land;
I will feed them on the mountains of Israel,
in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country.
- Ezekiel 34:12, 13
In the same way, I wait with eager expectation for my own land, my Rehoboth.
What a precious month October has been to me!
Pictures from the prayer retreat:
Back row L-R: Rose, Jing, Helen, Mayang, April, and ElenaFront row L-R: Marie Rose, me, Arbee and Rachel
Beautiful sunsetTaken from Jing's beach house in Miranda, Pontevedra
October 28, 2011
Beautiful, happy feet!
Dining room antique lamp
Elena and Marie Rose, dinner time
early morning in Miranda
October 29, 2011
October 29, 2011
Smiling, happy faces...At last the LORD has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land.
This blog entry is dedicated to my dear kingdom friend, Tina.
19 comments:
You had a very full and fulfilling month! What a blessing. :)
Thanks for coming by my blog, Lidia - I have appreciated encouragement and prayer support from other writers and readers - Our Lord has kept me going through people like you!
What a wonderful month and what great spiritual growth! Thanks for sharing such an uplifting experience with us.
Beautiful pictures! Beautiful faces!! I love the thought of the Ancient Paths seminar! Your posts are always so full of peace and tranquility.
I am doing a 30 day series entitled Living Thankful in November. Would love for you to join in and link up if you feel led.
I don't even know where to begin sister Lidia! But it's awesome to read another heartfelt post filled with God's love and blessings in your life!
It's truly difficult to work in an evil environment, surrounded by legions of enemies. But because of Him, I got rid of my fear knowing how truly powerful the Lord Jesus is! That's how I've been feeling since I started battling with powerful people, like suffocated. Talking about the place being filled with pride, vanity, and all evil schemes you could think of...And it's so nice...So nice that you reminded me of a place that the Lord must be preparing, a place like "Rehoboth". Like how you challenge us to depart from old cycles, I know God is doing the same thing in my heart as I prepare to go to "Rehoboth". How I'd love to be a part of those watchmen, always ready to stand in the gap. One in Spirit, despite the thousands of miles between them...but being alert at all times.
You blessed my faith and my heart hungry for His wisdom this Wednesday morning. I never enjoyed the brightness of the sun the way I do now as I read your powerful post. Much love to you sister and God bless and protect you always.
My heart is always deeply touched when I come here. Indeed, HE is faithful to supply our every need. Your journey blesses my soul and reminds me of HIS perfect plan in each of our lives. Praising GOD to be one of HIS chosen vessels!
Hugs, prayers, and blessings,
andrea
As always, I am blessed and encouraged, refreshed and inspired, after visiting with you, Lidia. Your words and your photos are a delight to me.
Rehoboth - what a lovely name, and such a wonderful message. Yes, I also want the Lord to lead me to a "broad place" - I want to open my heart up even more so that there's "room enough" for Him to fill it with His love and wisdom.
A new month has begun, and we are on the cusp of a new year quickly approaching. May God show us great and mighty things. May His glory ever lead us onward.
GOD BLESS!
Dearest Lidia, what I read here is complete trust........you are resting in your Saviour and and because of your faith, He will see you through. I know how you feel, I am there also with an older sister who has a root of bitterness in her heart. But the peace of God, when we trust in Him is far beyond our understanding.Much love Crystal xx
I read you previous Blog also...and commented. xxxx
I'm on this journey to Rehoboth with you, Lidia. Seeking to throw off anything that hinders so I can be so very ready to obey whatever the Master has in mind for me, too! You inspire me so! Love your involvement and photos. Sending you big hugs!
Yes first the natural than the spiritual..we have had a drought here both naturally and spiritually...now waiting for both rains.
I have always loved these scriptures on digging the wells and all the songs written about them...to be they are encouragement.
Blessings on your wonderful month...you garden it beautiful, but the natural one you took a picture of and your spiritual one
Dear Lidia,
I'm off today to search for a Rehoboth for my mother. Will you please help me with a little prayer?
Just now I feel like am travelling in limbo.
I know, looking back, that God isn't a God far away, but a God nearby.
I admit, in this moment I feel more fear than faith.
Travelling along with you has learned me to put all my fears into God's hands.
Isaiah 45:3 "I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I am the LORD, who call thee by thy name, even the God of Israel." has been given me as a promise over and over again.
Today I found it in your blog post.
It has proven true before, it shall not fail today.
Thanks for letting me rest here for awhile.
Yours Felisol
Lidia, The words on your bracelet that the pastor gifted you gave me goosebumps as I knew it related to your journey right now and your new name you have been called to go by. I can tell you are such a gentle soul with so much love in your heart. And I loved the analogy (and the image) of your beautiful and lush garden. You write so beautifully and I so enjoyed those gorgeous shots of the landscape that you took. Sending much love to you dear. xoxo ~Lili
Another awesome post...... love the beautiful happy feet.....Take gentle care Lidia...love your amazing heart for Him...
Lovely post Lidj
I pray for the same sense of heightened perspective about the year to come... a broad, welcoming place of obedience, growth, and ministry for the kingdom of God. I won't lie... it all feels rather large and messy right now. Some days, my strength is buried beneath a struggling "want to." But I just have to believe that something new is coming... I must cling to and want to cling to the hope that is found in my adoption as God's child.
I'm glad for this transition in your life and your heart, friend. You've valiantly and courageously walked through a difficult season and are emerging as gold.
I read it in your words; I see it on your face.
Take good care of your heart.
peace~elaine
Hi Lidj -
Thank you
I enjoyed this rich piece and I love that sunset photo!!!
Quite an October you experienced and described! I pray for your joy and peace in the months/weeks/days/hours of 2011. May we live them to the glory of God in the power of His Spirit!
Hi!
My name is Briana and I work with Grace Hill Media. We’re a PR agency that works with movie studios on reaching out to the faith based community. I ran across your blog, and saw that not only are you a blogger, but you’re a Christian as well!
I’d love to chat briefly on the phone about working with you on Mitch Albom's new movie, Have a Little Faith. I'm sure you're familiar with his other popular novel and movie, The Seven People You Meet in Heaven. I don't want to take up TOO much space in your comment box, so please shoot me an email to briana@Gracehillmedia.com
I promise this isn't spam! You can check our website out here: www.gracehillmedia.com
Talks soon!
Briana.
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