Lydia Prince

I borrowed some books from a missionary friend a few months back. One of them was a book by Lydia and Derek Prince called "Appointment in Jerusalem." So last night I have a dead computer and still trying to keep up with no TV or movies so I started scouring my bookshelf. Found this one I just mentioned and read it straight from 8:30pm until midnight. I was so overwhelmed and ministered to by this woman's story that I had to stop reading at points and just pour my heart out to the Lord. This book only covers a 2 year period in her life...wish that it would cover her entire life, dang it. Although it's a short read it really confirmed a lot of what I have been learning about God and the Holy Spirit while here in Romania. It rocked, really. Maybe you'll read it and think "oh, that was a nice story." If you do that means you have probably grown up with, or are in, a church cultural background as I had for most of my life...which, didn't really include much teaching, embracing or desiring after of the Holy Spirit. That wasn't to say that the Pastor was like that (this is not criticism on you, Dad) but that "Holy Spirit" was saved for "those charismatics" (interesting blog of a Catholic charismatic!) in "those weird churches where people start barking like dogs." And, to be clear, my Dad never said those things : ) Those were the comments I heard from others. Even in Bloomington these issues weren't really touched on. That is, until a Bible Study with Chris and Anne the year before I came to Romania. We were studying 1 and 2 Corinthians together. So of course discussions came up around Chapter 12 of 1 Cor.
I would say our group was about 50/50. Some felt that the introduction of these specific spiritual gifts were not needed in the Evangelical church. Others felt that we have skipped over this chapter and wondered why they weren't a regular inclusion along with the other aspects of the Christian life. I was in this latter group. Before I knew God was saying Romania to me, I asked Him to lead me to a place where I could learn about these 'missing' aspects of the Holy Spirit in a healthy way. I just remembered this last night and began looking over the past year or so here in Romania...and most definitely He is bringing a huge response to this request!
But this month especially it has been a lot. I think reading this book brought all of the events and questioning to kind of a point of sorts. Bring it on Jesus! But, not before my heart is so overflowing with love that God deems it time to pour out other giftings on me. That's what the Spirit shoved in my face last night.
That love is the greatest, Paul spends more time talking about it than the other gifts and clearly states that love is the ultimate. So I told Jesus that He can give me the gift of tongues, or speak more prophecy through prayer with me....but first I want more love. I have a looooong way to go, that's for sure. When was the last time you actually read the description of what love is in 1 Cor? Check it out for yourself. We're supposed to want this love in us...very challenging. All I can say is this, my prayers have taken a turn (for the better : )) since last night. Still though, Lydia Price's story was extremely impactful. I believe every word, story, Holy Spirit experience re-told in that book. Why? Because I see God doing the same things here in Romania...and trust me, there have been no dogs barking yet. And, it has never once been "weird" : )

On a totally random note - HUGE PRAISES from today. Ministry at Casa Alba orphanage has been, well horrific at best, over the past week. Heading there this evening for the "before supper" devotions...I had no idea what to expect. God proved Himself the God of the impossible tonight with all 19 children WELL BEHAVED and LISTENING. I could not believe it, not 1 behavioral problem the entire night. NOT ONE. And, their hearts were open to the story I told about Daniel in the Lions Den. They PRAYED and LISTENED to each other PRAY tonight. We are talking progress in leaps and bounds after what has been going on there the past week. I walked home with a massive smile on my face...not due to any surprise roses or whatever Valentine's Day present you could think of...nope, all due to my Jesus who is battling over these kids' lives for me!

AND, this was really cool. At the old people's home today...Ciutelec. I got to share about Christ with a resident and then pray for her leg to be healed with two of the others on our team who go on Thursdays. She was crying out in pain when I passed her room...I didn't even think, just turned around and went straight to her. Thankfully one of the team members with me speaks Hungarian and was able to translate for me. This woman couldn't speak more than a few words in Romanian. She said the pain is so bad in her leg that she can't get out of bed and can't move in the night - much less sleep because the pain is so awful. This generation in Romania has had such difficult lives that I'm sure her millions of wrinkles are making her look much older than what she really is. Please pray for her.