Come Pray

My daughter Anna Miriam Brown is the Author of His Story the Musical. Opening Night was Thursday, May 18th! Though it’s a Broadway Team putting on this show, the message of truth is loud and clear. People are moved to tears and are gathering in the lobby and outside the tent after the shows for prayer and reflection. People are saying that they feel God’s Spirit moving in a powerful way.

Our producer felt inspired by these moments to offer a specific time for prayer and reflection after the shows this weekend.

I had a personal connection with leaders at Upperroom Church, near by, and shared the idea, they were so supportive and excited about the idea, after bringing their youth group last week. We felt moved to collaborate with their worship team to lead worship with my daughter Anna on Friday night until around midnight- we will see what God does!

We also have a very special connection with Gateway Church and Anchor Church, so they are collaborating with us to lead worship on Saturday and Sunday nights!!!! It doesn’t matter who you are, what church you are part of, or if you are still your journey of exploring your own path and just want to experience this moment with us. All are welcome!

People are feeling like revival is in the air, and we are praying for God to bring an outpouring of grace, holiness, healing, rescue, reconciliation and favor upon this movement!

Pray that this tent is filled with His glory, and the glory NEVER ceases!

Josh and I will be there! Eight of our older kids will be there too. We are willing to pray for those who come who need a touch from God. We especially need to come together to pray for favor for this musical and for wisdom and courage for all involved.

Register for the event here to get your free tickets (value $35 – $200+ on Ticket Master):

http://hisstorythemusical.com/pray

Praying for the World

Over the years Josh and I have traveled to several countries. During our time in each one, we would feel called to sing and pray over the land and the people. These books each represent the countries we have traveled to and have committed to interceding for. The Lord had called us, His Bride, His Children, to pray for all the nations, and this is just one little idea for how to do it. Creating a book of prayer and blessings for each place we pray for.

I feel so strongly that these prayers are heard and answered and God is working in the world through the release of our prayers, supplications, decrees, songs and words of blessings over land and people.

God has given the earth to humans, it is ours to care for, protect, and nurture like a garden.

Humanity fails and blames God. But… in fervent prayer for the lands, the nations, the people, the governments, the church, the religious leaders, the sick, the bound, the suffering ones, the lost… we bring forth blessing, light, deliverance, power and healing on earth.

“The heavens belong to the Lord but the EARTH He has given to the children of men.” Psalm 115:16

I want so much to be a good and faithful servant and leader in all the authority God has given me… over my family, and over these places in the earth where I have a calling and where I have authority to bring the blessings of the Kingdom of God down to Earth. Through prayer God releases power. Power of angel armies, power to bless, power to heal, power to bring deliverance and salvation! Prayer brings light into the darkness.

If you say you are part of God’s family, I just want to encourage you to take your authority in prayer and supplication over your family and over the land you have walked upon to pray… “Your Kingdom Come! Your Will Be Done, on Earth as it is in Heaven!”

Being an active member of the Kingdom of God is a great honor, joy, blessing and a great responsibility. To whom much is given, much is required. Don’t squander your role in your family or your role in God’s family.

How to Dedicate Your Children to God

This is the story of my call to dedicate each of my children to the quest of the kingdom of heaven.

A couple weeks ago I woke up before the sun with a gentle voice whispering to my spirit “Give me Leah, as Hannah gave Samuel to me to be a prophet…”

So I grabbed my journal and started writing down the calling that was revealed to my heart for each of my children. I’m a mom of 15 kids. After having ten beautiful babies, my husband and I were called to adopt five more. So we did.

It was really something special to wake up to the sound of the Spirit within me speaking to me a calling over every one of my children.

This experience happened the day after visiting the Asbury Revival and after watching the movie Jesus Revolution.

I believe that God is on the move in a powerful way, and He is raising up a generation of royalty. I believe we are going to see a revival like never before spread across oceans and nations, and it will bring life, healing, deliverance, reconciliation, empowering, and a longing for truth and purity to millions and billions of souls. This revival will break out all over the world and bring people of every language, tribe, nation, race, religion, culture and creed into the revelation of the truth, hope and way of the Messiah. Light is shining!

If you have it on your heart to dedicate your children to the fulfillment of their heavenly callings this might be an inspiration to you…

In the end I’ll walk with you through a prayer to dedicate your children to God, too, based on 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:17

My dedications are inspired by the Prayers of Paul the Apostles in his letters to the churches, they are also inspired by the Psalms of David, and the visions of Daniel, John the Apostle and Ezekiel. I especially treasure the dedication of Samuel, by Hannah, and the prayers and declarations of Mary and Zacharias in the New Testament concerning their promised children.

1 Samuel 1:22-28, 2:1-11

Luke Chapter 1:46-55, 1:67-80

Garden of Heaven – Desert of Earth

He heard our prayers in the desert

The sweet sweet song of the bride

This is the life coming up from the earth

Where once it was parched and dry.

This is the blooming wilderness

A wasteland covered with grace

Watered by tears of mercy

Crying out for His Kingdom today.

And these are the seeds that were planted

before the storm clouds arrived

This is the garden of heaven

This is the path of the Bride

This is the hard heart of Earth

Where the Bride of Christ gathers bouquets

And is the place where the daughters of grace lift up their sweet psalms of praise

He sends out streams in the desert

Preparing the way of the Bride

This is the life coming up from the earth

Where once it was parched and dry.

Inspired by Isaiah 35.

Is His Story the Musical Biblical? The Perspective of a 72-year-old Grandmother!

Guest post by Georgia Weyant Janisse.

People are asking.

His Story the Musical is faithful to the Bible.  It begins with the words that begin the Gospel of John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  In the musical Jesus is born of a virgin, heals the sick, cleanses the leper, raises the dead, feeds the 5,000, walks on water; and He is crucified and dies – then raises from the dead! 

Yes, there are some added backstories.  The Bible doesn’t tell us that Mary had been praying for the coming of the Messiah; or if Matthew was feeling trapped by his own greed, in his life as a tax collector; and we don’t know if the leper who said to Jesus “If you are willing, You can make me clean” had a family that he was isolated from.  But the Bible is silent in many of the details of people’s lives – as John wrote in the very last verse of his gospel: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” (John 21:25) In this way His Story is similar to how The Chosen adds backstories and personalities without interfering with the biblical doctrine.

This musical was created to reach nonbelievers and people who might never go to church or listen to a preacher, or even open a Bible – and show them who Jesus is, His love, His compassion, His sacrifice, His power, His ability to bring hope and new life.  It communicates to this generation the way the music of the Jesus Movement reached my generation.  

Fifty years ago, my life was totally and permanently transformed by the love and power of Jesus.  The new Christian music of the early 1970s – with electric guitars and drums had a beat and sound that had never before been used to bring glory to God.  His Story the Musical is unique and created for this time.  It’s true to the Bible and displays Jesus clearly to this generation – not aimed primarily at Christians, though it is a wonderful blessing to so many believers.   In these fifty years of living for Christ, I have always been reading through the Bible – most years I have read through the complete Bible – though some years I have slowed down a little and take a year and a half, or two. I love God’s Word and have a solid grasp on what is scriptural and what is not. I love listening to His Story and I can’t wait to see it on stage. (click here to continue reading)

Difficult Emotions Matter

“In the multitude of anxieties within me, Your comfort delights my soul.” King David

It’s normal to struggle with a multitude of anxieties from time to time in life! Some anxiety is extremely relevant! Some grief is very necessary! Some anger is often justified! Some pain is for a reason!

If you are struggling with pain, grief, anxiety and anger – it’s normal… as long as you can name the reason for your struggle. The struggle is real, it’s normal, it’s human, it’s a valuable process. What I’m saying is that if you know the reason behind your feelings – chances are you are feeling something normal!

In our culture we might be prompted to believe that ALL our difficult emotions are bad and should be drowned out by intervention or pills.

Our difficult emotions matter. We need to listen to them, and bring them to God so that in the midst of a multitude of anxieties His comfort can delight our souls. Take time to journal and pray through your emotions. Can you identify WHY you are feeling the struggle?

Don’t drown it out.

Listen to the cry of your heart. Cry it out in song, poetry, Psalms, sobs, and prayer. His comfort can delight your soul, in the midst of it all.

So often we are ashamed of the struggle and think there is something wrong with feeling our emotions. It’s normal and healthy to experience emotions related to real life pain and struggle.

If you can’t identify the root of your struggle there might be a hormonal or mental health issue. If you are sad and angry and grieving for no reason at all, you may need some serious help.

But if you are struggling for a reason, don’t be so hard on yourself for feeling your very human emotions.

We need our emotions.

They can actually bring healing.

When we face our emotions, and acknowledge the pain, loss or injustice that created our feelings we can start to work on the root cause, or just say to ourselves and our dear ones: “It’s okay to cry, sleep in, listen to the same song over and over, and even curl up in a ball on the bathroom floor!

And it’s okay to ask for help so you can give yourself some respite! Don’t just put on your big girl pants and pretend like you are fine when you are not. It’s okay to let go of some tasks in life that are overwhelming you right now. It’s okay to say NO to pressure to be something you are not, while you heal.

So often moms with little ones feel depressed, and overwhelmed, and lonely, and tired. And they wonder what’s wrong.

What you are going through is normal!

It’s really hard to not get enough sleep! It’s hard to heal from a c-section! It’s hard to care for a baby and preschooler!

It’s hard to work outside the home and try to keep the home running too! It’s really hard to lose a loved one to death, a move, or a break-up!!! You have a reason to cry. Life is hard and pills or alcohol or escapism will not fix it.

It’s okay to feel the struggle!

I think a lot of us struggle more than we were created to, because we have no village, no support system, no compassionate partner in life to share the burden with, no connection with a close mother, sister or auntie.

Women, we were created to live in community. But our modern lifestyle puts jobs and education before family and we disconnect from the roots that sustain and support us.

Maybe instead of drowning out the heartache we should stop replacing human contact with phones.

Maybe we need to work on healing broken family relationships and forgive our mothers, sisters, aunties, friends and grandmas for not being perfect.

I’ve been around long enough to see that a friend or family member can be deemed disposable if they make one mistake too many. Sometimes we are like fair-weather friends – who are there when everything is fun and easy… but gone when a friend is hurting and grieving!

We don’t seem to know how to be there for our friends and family who are struggling with emotional pain. We don’t try to get out of our comfort zones to find out how to support a friend through loss, we just let them go, make new friends, or just quit trying because relationships are a lot of work.

Or we try to customize our “village” to surround ourselves only with people who believe exactly what we believe and we sever those connections when differences arise.

We no longer live in tight communities where we have to work out our differences.

We can change churches, jobs, schools, states, and spouses if we are not “happy”.

But what if being “happy” is not found in having the perfect life, surrounded by the perfect people, doing the perfect things?

What if happiness can be found IN the Multitude of our Anxieties because God’s COMFORT DELIGHTS our SOULS!!!

Did you get that? SOULS!!!!

It’s the SOUL–they can rise above all the pain, grief, anger, sadness and exhaustion because they are not of this world. The soul can experience joy, peace, hope, delight, and comfort no matter what’s happening in the mind, heart, body and earthly story. I’m okay, through a multitude of earthly anxieties my soul is flourishing! It’s the soul that sings in sadness.

Depressed? Sad? Grieved? Angry?

Let your soul delight in eternal comfort and never ending love.

When we are born into God’s family, when we receive the love and gift of God’s rescue through Jesus, our souls come to life, and there is peace that passes understanding.

Do you want to thrive and overcome the pain? Healing starts with the soul. If you need help figuring out how to revive your soul do a search in the Psalms of the Bible for the word SOUL.

If you need a friend to pray for you, just let me know in the comments. How’s it going with your soul? How can I pray for you?

Songs in the Desert

This is a little awkward for me, but it might bless someone. I recorded 90 minutes of worship in the desert of Israel this morning for my kids and grandkids. If YouTube outlives me, these songs will remain for future generations.

These are the songs I grew up hearing in my home, many from the Jesus Movement.

I was a baby of The Jesus Revolution, born into Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California, where Chuck Smith was pastoring my hippie parents in a big white tent.

These are precious melodies that became my childhood lullabies, and I gathered more of these songs throughout my childhood and teen years. These are the songs that changed my heart and brought me into sweet communion with Jesus.

As I sing them, I return, in my heart, to the places where I first believed, and His love just washes over me. Excuse my tears. I can barely contain the love I feel as I just bring all these songs into this desert.

This is the desert where Jesus prayed and fasted for 40 days.

My daughter Anna had booked a shack on the edge of the desert so she could come here to fast and pray over His Story: the Musical in the week before she moves back to Texas to launch the show.

Anna invited me to come. It wasn’t convenient, still having ten children at home. But with help from my husband, who is home with them now, and a few friends who are hosting three of our teens, and with the help of my adult daughter, Rachel, caring for my three littlest girls, I was able to come. Thank you.

I felt like the Lord wanted me to record one of my worship times in the desert, especially for my little girls, and my two little grandsons, James, age 2, and tiny Isaiah – who is due in May.

I am pretty shy about singing, but it’s okay, It’s for the kids. I can usually sing on key, so I’m doing what I can with the voice God gave me, so if He wants me to embarrass myself by publishing my singing… okay. My heart is in it.

I imagine that this ninety minutes of worship might best be enjoyed by babies as they fall asleep. Babies love listening to a mother’s singing without the accompaniment of instruments.

Two Are Better Than One

Companionship is such a precious gift. Friendship, family, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, husband and wife.

We need others.

I was just reading the words of Solomon today and thinking about how damaging it can be for so many young adults who are sent off alone to college, and they end up becoming so lost, distant from all familiar connections at a time when they are so highly influenced.

And we wonder why our child struggles so deeply with truth, identity, connection and boundaries.

I don’t think that humans were designed to be severed from their families and communities like this.

Of course most people in our culture think this is somehow healthy and right and it builds up independence. But sometimes the drive for independence is a one way ticket down Lonely Street.

The words of Solomon:

There is one who is alone,

without companion son nor brother.

Yet there is no end to all his labors.

Nor is his eye satisfied with riches.

But he never asks ‘For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?’

This also is vanity and a grave misfortune.

Two are better than one,

Because they have a good reward for their labor.

For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.

But woe to him who is alone when he falls,

For he has no one to help him up.

Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm, But how can one be warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.

And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:8-12

I’m so thankful that my daughters have each other and have close friends that they adventure with, work with, go on missions with and serve with.

I’m so thankful that my son and his sweet wife Rita have been companions and have been together when most young adults do things like college, first jobs, immigration, missions and travel alone. I love that they have each other.

I’m so thankful that I lived near Josh all through his college years, his parents asked us to wait until after college to get married, so I found a way to move to a town near his school so we could spend time together and be there for each other, and go to the same church.

I’m so thankful that Anna invited me to be her companion on her trip to Israel. She felt called to go fast and pray in the Judean Desert before going back to Dallas with Rachel to launch His Story The Musical. Today we are learning Jerusalem and going to the place where Jesus spent 40 days fasting.

In times we must go out alone, Jesus is our companion if we receive Him. In times we are called to go alone God brings us companions along the way. But if you are going alone, or if you are sending your child out alone- beware- send them because it’s a calling or a mission and they have been prepared to be cut off from everyone and everything familiar. Don’t just send them out alone because that’s what is normal in our society. Just because it’s normal it doesn’t mean it’s right, good, healthy, natural or in your child’s best interest.

Don’t send them out alone because it’s the default, or because society obligates you to do so. Is it what is really best?

My daughter Anna waited until Rachel turned 18 before she moved out at 21, so she and her sister could go together. They went to Mexico, Dallas, New York and came back to Indiana for a while. Then Rachel came home for 6 months while Anna traveled with other sisters and friends. Esther moved to Oahu, and lives with a friend who is a wonderful companion, like a sister, so blessed. And she visits us multiple times each year.

I just want to encourage the parents who have a heart to set their child on a path unlike the default. I know that a lot of people agree with the idea of launching their kids early into far off places alone, and maybe that’s your child’s calling. Just pray that companionship is part of their story too. Loneliness leads to all kinds of dark places and it’s a big reason for depression, and most young adults in our culture struggle with depression. Does anyone ask why?

We need companions, sisters, brothers, best friends, spouses, mothers and fathers, cousins and partners. Not phones. Phones can never take the place of people.

Be a companion. Be the one who lifts up another when they fall. Be the one who keeps the other warm. Be the one who labors for others. Be the one who enjoys life’s rewards with others. Be that person who loves, forgives, heals, encourages and works hard to make someone else’s life rich and full.

Be the one who is that friend!

And if you want to be sure that your children are never lonely – have more kids, have them close together, adopt a sibling group, or a couple orphans around the same age who have no one.

Filling your life with children is only hard for a short time, but the blessings are endless.

How Often?

How often do we choose logic over faith?

How often do we give into fears of the unknown?

How often do we silence the voice of the hope that is calling us to something so much greater?

How often do we exchange our callings for a false sense of security?

How often do we exchange a blessing for a lie?

How often do we give in to the naysayers and critics, silencing the voice of faith?

How often do we spend what little we have on things that will never least, while tossing eternal things into the trash?

How often do we let opportunity die because it didn’t match the plans we had in mind.

How often do we do what is socially acceptable or popular instead of doing what’s right?

How often do we settle for so much less, because somehow we feel safer when we say no to change?

How often do we play it safe when our callings, passions, and destinies require risk?

How often do we get stuck in a rut because we refuse to push the gas pedal?

How often do we suffer lack because we failed to plant the seeds of spring time?

How often do we count the cost and decide we would rather live a mediocre life.

How often do we go with the flow when it’s just dead fish drifting down stream?

How often do we give in to doubt, when faith stirs in our souls?

How often do we sit when we should be standing up for what we know is true?

How often do we stand still when it’s time to run?

Are your choices are motivated by these?

Fear

Logic

Laziness / Comfort

Lies

Doubt

Safety / Security

Criticism

Or these:

Faith

Hope

Calling

Blessing

Passion

Eternity

Truth

It’s your life. You can change it.

You can decide today to stop being a fear driven person.

You can choose to change your perspective.

Start by evaluating whether you have been making life choices based of FEAR.

If so, make a list of things you would do differently if FEAR was irrelevant.

Throw out fear, and start over.

Try this:

“I said no to ___________ because I was afraid of _________________ .”

Now really, what could happen if you choose faith instead of fear? What if the opposite happened and none of your fears evolved?

Try this:

“I will say yes to ______________ because this is the way to_________________.”

It’s the people who say NO to fear and then step out in faith who live life to the fullest.

Like Arrows…

As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.Psalm 127:4

Your mission field may not be a distant city, town or country.

Your calling may not be to far off nations.

You may not need to reach your destination by train or boat or plane. You may already be where you belong, or on the path that leads you to your place of influence. The unreached people group that you are called to serve may speak your language already!

I am a mother, with a mission mindset, raising up children for the Kingdom of Heaven… One by one, or two by two, I send them into their unique mission fields to fulfill the great commission.

But it’s not all about geography anymore…

I send my children as missionaries into the fields of science and medicine.

I send my children as missionaries into the fields of art and music.

I send my children as missionaries into the fields of politics, economics and business.

My children, I send you forth into the fields of education and social justice.

I send you into the harvest by way of theater, film, photography, dance, and cinematography.

I send you out as light into the darkness of prison, war, religion and natural disasters.

I send you now to take up your cross in families, foster care, adoption, elder care, and public service.

I send you, my children, into the marketplaces, the campgrounds, the Main Streets, the homesteads, the coffeehouses, the parks, the libraries, the offices, hospitals and schools.

I send you into your field, into your element, into your passion, with your skill set, whatever that may be. Go forth by the power of the Holy Spirit, by the Blood of the Lamb, by the Word of the Father, for his glory, honor and praise!

I send you out as light into the darkness, until the darkness is no more. I send you out into your field of influence until the glory of the Lord infuses every facet of society upon the Earth.

The harvest is great. The laborers are few. Pray therefore that the Lord of the Harvest sends our laborers into the fields!