the Father's Presence

  I read a quote by Oswald Chambers today- "Peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of God". So, true peace is found in God's presence. That is where I SO long to be, in the Father's presence. That way, no matter what is going on around me, whether it's life in general, my housework, the things piled on my desk that need attention, my children- no matter what, I am at peace because of the Father's presence in my life. I am convinced that we do not come into Father's presence by chance, I believe we choose, and we are intentional about being in that place. Busyness keeps us from the Fathers presence!! And you would think that living at a place like the Haft, that I would have ALL the time in the world to "sit at the feet of Jesus". Afterall, some people think we really don't have much to do here in these hills (ha! guess again). But I struggle every day to set aside time to come into the Father's presence. When I refer to the Father's presence, I'm not just refering to morning devotions. I'm speaking of "falling prostrate at His feet" & asking the Father to come, to fill you with a peace that passeth all understanding. I'm refering to LISTENING for that still small voice, the one that guides us into all truth. The Father's presence is that place where there is no time, no space. It's the place where you feel His nearness, you feel His heartbeat, & you want to stay.
  Maybe the idea of what I'm trying to say here is foreign to you. Maybe you think I've gone off the deep end. You're thinking that that kind of thing "isn't for this day"!! But I believe that those who do not understand these things I'm talking about, may find it very diffucult to stand strong in this crazy world. When push comes to shove, when times get hard, it will be those who can run to the safety of the Father's arms that will stand strong until the very end.
  Learn to embrace your Heavenly Father as though He were right beside you. Start your day by inviting the Father, through His Holy Spirit, to help you understand the things you read in scripture. Then take some time to be absolutely quiet in His presence, allow Him to speak to your heart. At first it may feel awkward, you may think that He didn't say anything... but continue to invite Him & listen. Eventually you will hear Him, feel Him & bask in His presence!!!! When that happens, you will find peace like you have never known.

LOVE THIS!!! Hawk Nelson: Words [Official Lyric Video]

Love love this song!!!

Truly the cry of my heart right now, especially with my children!! Words can build you up & they truly can break you down....

Sometimes I Wonder....

On one particular frustrating day, my daughter sat down & put her thoughts on paper in the form of a poem/song... she wrote it all in a short amount of time & I only helped her with 2 lines. It really comes from her heart~

Sometimes I Wonder

Sometimes I wonder why I can't get my way

Sometimes I wonder why did I have this bad day

Sometimes I wonder why I was made

But then I remember Your words
And I know I have a purpose
And the best is yet to come
And You will come back some day-

Sometimes I wonder why I am here

Sometimes I wonder if you are near

Sometimes I wonder why I can't hear you

Sometimes I wonder about all that you said

Sometimes I wonder about it in bed

Sometimes worry fills my head

But then I remember Your words
And I know I have a purpose
And the best is yet to come
And You will come back some day-

Written by: ShaLyn Fisher 2013

My son is hilarious...

Madison is so funny. His understanding & use of phrases and big words can be pretty hilarious at times. He said two "doozies" (that's what we call em around here) when we were in FL. & I've got to write them down before I forget.
The first one was when he & ShaLyn were having a discussion or disagreement rather in the back of the Suburban on our way home from the beach. After letting them go for a while I finally said something like- "Hey you two, what's going on back there"...???
To which Madison replied- "Oh never mind mom, it's just a DOMESTIC argument".
Say what???
Of course we all cracked...
And only a short while later, during the same drive home, they got to discussing a math problem. Madison said that 12x5=60 & Shay disagreed saying its 70. So they finally decide to settle it and ask me. I did the calculation in my mind & agreed with Madison. And he says- "See Shay I knew I was right, I have a 'working relationship with my math problems'.
A working relationship with his math problems??...
Where does he come up with this stuff??
Funny funny kid:):):)

Take Time to Feel His Presence-

It is on lovely spring days like this that I absolutely love this place that God has entrusted to us!! How can one not feel His Presence here- the gentle waters of the pond & stream, the mountains surrounding us, & the wild life (turkeys in our front yard this morning):):) It is so peaceful. And while I'm here enjoying these surroundings, I think of people who are busy, & burned out, people who are serving the Lord but are longing for a quiet place to rest & refresh, and I wish that I could bring them here even if its only for a couple days. I would want them to come & feel the presence of Jesus, and rest.
So if you can't make the trip to the Haft to find your rest, I encourage you to do so somewhere. You can do it in your home if you can stop thinking of all your work;). Just stop & come into the presence of Jesus. Take time to worship him in spirit, allow yourself to be transported to that place where there is no time. Curl up on Jesus lap & rest- & receive His love, let it surround you & fill you with peace!!

A Different Angle....

Ever getting tired of reading the Bible in the "usual" way? By usual I mean reading over it & trying to apply it to your life, but sometimes feeling like the meaning of it is over your head. Well one of the exercises we did at our training in Myrtle Beach was to take a passage of scripture such as Psalms 23 & write it down from a different angle. We personalized it as tho it were written from us talking to our Heavenly Father. I will write my version of that here for you, then I encourage you to take a passage of scripture & personalize it. And see how it speaks to you!! Here's my personalized version of Psalms 23-
1) Father God you are my Shepherd, you are my provider, you supply for my needs.
2) You cause me to refresh in lush places, you lead me to places of rest beside the quiet waters, & my soul is refreshed by you my Father, my Abba, my daddy.
3) You guide me in the right path, the path you want me to go for your names sake, so people can see you- the Father.
4) And Father even when I walk through the darkest valley, the dry places, I don't have to fear because you are right there with me. Your rod & your staff are comforting to me.
5) You Father, prepare a table for me right among my enemies. You've anointed me & called me, my cup overflows with your love.
6) Surely your goodness & your amazing love will be with me all my days and I will dwell with you forever.
Isn't it cool how personal that makes it when you write it from a different angle. I believe there is so much more to reading, understanding, & personalizing scripture than what I have done over the years. I'm excited to see how God will use this to speak to me.... And I encourage you to give it a try!!!

Ladies Retreat

Ladies!! Please get your name in ASAP if you are planning to attend the ladies retreat at the Haft in April. This is on a "first come, first serve" basis, so I need to hear from you...
Email me at- thedutchclan@icloud.com
Or call me at- 717.278.7115 or leave me a message at 570.363.2405

I need your full name, phone number & email address ( if you have one)

Also here's a little more info about our speaker-

Mary Wilson, pastors alongside her husband of 28 years, Patrick Wilson, at Living Truth Fellowship in Christiana, PA.  She oversees the women's ministry, intercession,and the  children's ministry.  

 

Presently, Mary's call is to "Awaken Hope" in all people and in every circumstance.  She imparts hope through the ministry of healing and faith.  She has a deep passion for the Word of God and preaches from a platform of freedom.   

 

Patrick and Mary reside in Gap, Pennsylvania.  They have a married son, and a daughter in college.  They are currently enjoying the blessing of grandchildren.  

And the retreat sessions are as follows-

Session 1.  Seeds of Hope

Session 2.  Blossoms of Hope

Session 3.  Harvest of Hope