Happy Holidays!

Hello From The Jackels

We've had a house church in the city now for about 3 years and love for community continues to grow in our hearts. We never knew how the Lord would really move us out in this way. We trusted He would, in His time. 12.4 acres, two houses, over 7,000 sq. feet of living space, 10 bedrooms, 4 kitchens, 7 full baths, and a whole lot of space ready for lovin'!

Covenant Home (our house church in Rochester) is no longer meeting, but we hope to stay in contact with all the people we have fell in love with! Burn Rochester continues to meet monthly in on-going worship and prayer. With the new property the Lord has given us we desire to be a resource to communities, ministries, and other gifted people in the Body of Christ as a way of discipling the nations! As a retreat center and a place birthing community it is our desire to continue to steward all God has bestowed on us as individuals and with those we have networked with. Its really only a larger painter's palette where the Lord can do greater things!

Urban Monesticism is a word we have been throwing around for years, but not really bringing a lot of definition to. Simply we desire to see people live their lives completely for Christ, relevant to the people they are in relationship with. Our desire is to be a monastic (meaning oneness) presence-centered (the experience aspect of being one with Christ) community that lives in radical love. We believe that cultivating intimacy through vertical worship and prayer (intimacy with Jesus), along with understanding the mystery of the Word, and discipling in both a community and individual setting can cultivate a thriving Church representing Christ in the earth today! The supernatural grace-filled life is the normal Christian life available to us.

We envision the Church, walking and doing life together, living radical supernatural lives by the power of the Holy Spirit, b e i n g o f o n e m i n d , worshipping God in all things! (Philippians 2)

 
 

QUICK UPDATE: So much has happened since our last newsletter. Brandon has fallen in love with India and the orphanage there. He plans to return soon in hope to bring a team with him in the future. This is also our first year homeschooling, which has been tremendous thus far. We feel blessed beyond measure in this season. We are expecting baby girl #4 this March! With many new exciting things, we often lose sight of these blessings in life. Above all, we feel a grace to lead in love with our children as we rest and seek The Lord for this coming year. Brandon has a new career as a registered nurse in a hospital closer to our new home, which has made life easier for us as well. Crystal is now a trained doula and is currently working towards her DONA doula certification, along with continuing education through the Welton Academy Supernatural Bible School. She has been asked to lead worship for the school come Spring semester. Abigail, 5, Israel , 3, and Arista, 2, all love their new home! They have adjusted well and are some of the most lively, loving children. They love to create and worship. They often see in the Spirit and have developed such genuine relationships with The Lord. Thank you for your continued love and support this past year.

Endless love and Merry Christmas,

Brandon and Crystal

Abigail, Israel, Arista and baby Jackel

DIY Christmas Ornaments (great for the kids)

Clay Ornaments:

1 cup regular table salt

2 cups white flour

1 cup luke warm water

Mix all together in a bowl and they lay out with a rolling pin in sections. 

We used Christmas cookie cutters. 

We set the ornaments inside the stove at 200 degrees for about an hour, half hour on each side. After cooling we painted them with acrylic paint. We formed the hanging holes while still warm from the oven with the point of a pen and once finished strung with thin yarn :)

Enjoy! The kids loved this so much they keep asking to do it again!

Snowflake Ornaments:

Popsicle sticks

Glue

These were so easy for the girls and could do it all on their own! Even my three year old was capable to doing it!

Then once dried, paint and be-dazzle with sparkles! 

This is the first year we will have a (real) tree with the kids. So because this is a big deal for us (after 5 years of no tree), we decided to make it memorable - in hope to make the tree a complete expression of the children. Here's to great traditional memories!

Am I called to the earth?

I was recently "googling" whether Jell-O was gluten-free, when I had a storm of thoughts pertaining to "sub-duing and taken dominion over the earth" as believers. I know, not quite your typical thought process happening here, but I can explain. It really all started when I saw someone comment about Jello-O being made from the bones and cartilage of animal matter. The person pretty much said eating Jell-O was disgusting and now that we know better we should make better decisions about what part of the animal we are eating. I found this ignorant statement somewhat embarrassing, as the person continued to talk about the savaging in Native American (better as "First Nations" people) customs, who used every part of the animal for something. "We should know better now...." she said.

 

I do have a point in all this. I recently have been very intrigued by Native American beliefs and customs and have been fascinated with their love for life. I have also been deeply inspired by their respect for the earth and every living thing in it. I'm NOT saying I embrace all their practices and ways of worship (all first nations tribes can be vastly different from one another). But what I am saying, is I found that they have tapped into a way of life, that is a very instinctly way of living, that we have exited out of a society as a whole - especially in the church. Native American beliefs are deeply rooted in their culture. They believe EVERYTHING is sacred, from the largest mountain to the smallest plant and animal. A lesson can be found in all experiences and everything has a purpose. To sum up Native spirituality: it is about HONOR, LOVE, and RESPECT. Not only do they love, honor, and respect our Creator and our "Mother Earth", but also every living thing. It is about being in touch with ourselves and everything around us. It is about knowing and understanding that we are part of everything, and everything is a part of us, believing we are all One. In fact, the reason why a native man would use every part of the animal was not because he was a "savage" but because he lived in harmony with creation. He wanted the living thing to only die with [full] purpose. It doesn't make sense to a native American to waste anything, because it goes against his code of honor. If it has to die, then it must be utilized in every possible way. This became their way of survival. I feel as a culture as a whole we could learn a lot from this. I have personally seen a lot of people (even in the church) mock this "organic" was of living that is starting to trend now, as if it's a new thing. But guess what? Going green, or being "crunchy" or a little "granola", or even a bit "natural" isn't AT ALL a new thing - it's a divine thing, and he's put the instinct in us from the beginning.

My question to many believers who preach and teach on subduing the earth, taking dominion, establishing His Kingdom, and bringing heaven on earth is this - what are you eating everyday? You see its really not only about getting healthy (although that's an incentive). But the bigger picture is this - how are we living in harmony with the earth? And how are we stewarding this power that we have in the earth? Are we eating and living as if we really do believe we are called to steward the earth? Isn't this how the garden scene starts in Genesis? Its amazing to me the interactions Adam has with the animals as he names each one. And, here, you have the most "humane" scene ever - everything the earth was created to produce was there, that Adam could enjoy without any striving. And the beauty of it all was beheld by him and he took dominion over this portion of earth and living beings with respect and trust. I sometimes wonder if Adam could understand what the animals were saying at this time - I wonder what they would speak to one another about. It seems to me that we were meant to be in-tune to what nature was speaking, what it was producing, and what its purpose was. "Sub-due the earth" means to "till it, to keep it" and it was one of the first things God ask of us after creating us. Seems to me that if God restored us to our original design through the second adam, Jesus, that this would hold true to us today.  “...be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion” (Gen 1:28)

 

Humanity has more than just our nutritive/vegetative and animalistic/reproductive elements. We stand above plants and animals as rational creatures toward which they are ordered. So, I'm not saying we should go and worship creation. But I do believe in honoring creation, we worship the Creator. In our cultural crisis, some people overreact to our separation from nature and make nature an end in itself. Nature is not a regular part of most of our lives and (some) of the environmental movement is actually another symptom of this isolation. Rather than recognizing the purpose of nature, some environmentalists hold it up as something for its own sake. Producing works of culture, on the other hand, clearly reminds us that the rest of creation is subordinate to us and is meant for us. Agriculturally speaking, planting seeds, tending plant and animal life, and harvesting give us a glimpse of God’s creation being cultivated in order to sustain and uphold us.

So what am I saying in all this? Maybe.....just maybe its not a trend, but a divine movement of us getting back to what we were created for? Is it too beyond our faith to think so? Are we called to not just love one another, but to also live in harmony with all God has put here for us?

What do you think?

 
 

run the race

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24

This summer I decided to do things I've never done. 

It was trying. It was long. It was hard.

BUT GOD!

Myself, Mom and Sister (Cheri) all finished Irongirl 2013!

I can honestly say, even with some days crying through the training, God can empower you to do anything you put your heart in! 

Cheri and I about to dive in!

So I took on the challenge, my half marathon in the Spring and Irongirl this past weekend. And with the inspiration of my parents. I couldn't help but be encouraged to go the extra mile. 

Honestly, I wanted to continue to expand our family but my body couldn't keep up. I knew if we were to continue to have healthy children I would need to do something about my health. A part from the added weight of my pregnancies, I developed bone issues, with both my teeth and internally. If you remember I wasn't able to walk last summer because I broke my ankle. I was desperate for a radical change. 

BIG KISS from my #1 cheerleader after finishing the race!

It's been quite the journey of getting healthy and allowing the Lord to show me how its worship to treat our bodies the best we can by living well - eating well - moving well.

Before my journey

After

I am blessed!

Things that helped me make the plunge:

1. Make a goal 

Mine was Irongirl but maybe yours is a 5K or losing a certain amount of weight, etc.

2. Get loved ones on board. 

I couldn't have done it without my husband's encouragement and agreement during the process.

3. Just start! 

Even if you can't run a mile, just start in 5 minute intervals. There's no shame in starting small.

4. Manage your time. 

Mark your calendar or even get a training regiment online.

5. Worship while you work.

Unless you count it as a spiritual journey as much as a physical one you'll never reap the full benefits. And the longevity of it is a lifestyle, not an instance fix for weight-loss or anything similar in nature. The point is not to "look" a certain way but to bring glory to God through your physical body. If thats the motivation you WILL accomplish what you're going after.

I encourage you, if you seem stuck set yourself a goal. It was I needed. I was so tired. I had my children so close together and they were so young. I thought I didn't have the time, and I lacked the self-confidence. BUT GOD, it gave me strength where I know I didn't have it. And with joyful tears I'm proud to be an Irongirl! (smiles)

For His glory,

Crystal

If you struggle with food addiction I highly encourage you to seek help! Its ok and there are many who are right with you! Try a FREE Bible study here at Setting Captives Free. Its a 60 day intense study, implementing fasting and accountability that you are sure to be blessed by. 

We're moving!

WELCOME TO OUR NEW HOME! ~ EDEN HOMESTEAD

You heard us right! We are now proud owners in the middle of the country!

 

We've been talking about moving now for a while, along with farming, homestead living, and living communally. We've had a house church in the city now for about 2 years and the love for community has continued to grow in our hearts for some time now. We never knew how the Lord would really move us out in this way, we just trusted He would, in His time. Here's a picture of the property! 12.4 acres, two houses, over 7,000 sq. feet of living space, 10 bedrooms, 4  kitchens, 7 full baths, and a whole lot of space ready for lovin'!

 The story behind this property is divine! There is no other explanation other than God hand-picked and made provision for it. Appraised at close to half million dollars, we were salivating with the potential when we first viewed the house. Brought to our attention by a close friend who knew we wanted to live communally, we went in hope to hear the Lord if this was "the one". The moment we enter the property line, with several confirmations along the way, our spirits literally filled with joy with the presence of God! Barely able to stand, we realized this was it! We had looked at other properties, but never with this much assurity, this much witness in our spirits. At this time, the price had just been reduced to about half of what the property was valued at. Though a steal for anyone, it was still out of our budget. So we waited, sought the Lord, and waited some more. A couple months after we viewed the place we decided to ask the owner if she would be interested in "rent to own". And to our disappointment (at the time), our realtor suddenly tells us the owner can't because she has decided to put the property up for auction that weekend! We were really crushed. Had we heard God correctly? Was it in our own heads? Is it not time? So many questions along the way, but continued to trust God. So we continued to believe the property was ours, despite the circumstances. Brandon even went out to the property just to seek the Lord and, again, he falls under the Spirit of God! We knew God was going to do a wonder, it was time to stand on what we were hearing.

 

The day of the auction we were nerved! I never had so many butterflies ever! It would be nothing short of a miracle for purchasing the property, especially since we could only afford about 1/4 of what the property was valued at. We had no back up plan, we just waited it out. There were only two other buyers at the auction, and a few people from the neighborhood spectating. We had heard later on how there were others wanting to be there for the auction, but for whatever reason, out of town or whatever, could not be there. I believe it was all God (big grin). Well, by now you know who the highest bidder was that day! You bet! Here's the best catch - because it was an auctioned home we also inherited it completely furnished! God had the plan; He made the way. And once again, God proved himself in the BIG dreams! Dream big with God and watch Him do incredible things!

Here's a picture of a couple of the rooms in the big house. There will be some work that needs to be done in the large home, but the rooms themselves are in beautiful shape. The chalet is completely redone and needs no work! The best part about the chalet is its solar paneling that powers all the heating/cooling fans. There's also a beautiful wood burning stove in it. LOVE!

 

Here's the phenomenal backyard. Great for company, bon-fires, connecting with God, or even hunting! There is a lot of foliage and woods, along with two creeks that run parallel to one another through out the property. This place is beyond therapeutic! Which is why Brandon plans on using one of the back sun rooms as a massage therapy treatment room.

And here is the most exquisite sight of Lake Canandaigua, right in the front view of both the homes. There's several porches that lead to the enjoyment of this spectacular outlook. The heart of Naples right here - wine country, seven minutes from Bristol Mountain, surrounded by beauty and bliss everywhere - this place stole my heart!

A side note! Covenant Home (the house church in the city) continues to meet and plans to continue sowing into the city of Rochester. We do not see this move as a means of closing a door in the city, but as God's means to expanding us beyond the city! A lot of love in this heart!!!

Blessings to all our good family and friends following our adventure! We love you so much! We know some of you think we're a little crazy, but you continue to believe in us....and to us that means the world! XOXO

Put on Love

Putting on Christ means putting on Love. 

Nothing holds things more together than love. Its what spoke into our existence. It's what put value on you and me. Its what makes life worth living. Life without love is empty, controlling, filled with fear, worry and regret. But a life filled with love brings purpose, complete fulfillment, security and release into freedom, giving the lover and the loved the ability to dream and live beyond themselves. Choose Love. Its the better way.

In a culture that fights for justice and fairness, it's extremely different putting on an attribute that our society (almost) looks down upon. But Jesus paid the most ultimate price for Love, and He did when He was innocent. This is the most unjust act in all of history, but its the act of Love He is all calling us to. 

I can hear it now....."but Jesus doesn't want us to be treated unfairly! We should fight for injustice! We should have recompense for evil!" Fighting for what is right in the right heart is different than fighting for what is right with an impure motive. For many of us, we rarely fight because of love. For most of us, we fight for something when we feel betrayed, hurt, misunderstood, or offended. 

But Jesus fought for us through his act of love on the cross. Romans 6 paints a picture of us, too, as believers being co-buried with Christ. What does this mean for us as Christians? What was He trying to say? He was showing us that we, too, could also lay down our lives in the same manner. He was saying our old nature was put on the cross with Him. Just as Paul said, "it is no longer I who live, BUT CHRIST, who lives in me." Do we believe these words? Are we willing to be co-crucified, co-buried and co-resurrected with Him? This is what it means to put on Love. It means to be made one with Him in all things, because in that He has perfected all things. He who is Love, not a mere emotion or feeling, laid His life down. Romans also says no greater love than this.....he who lays down his life for a friend. But Jesus not only laid down His life for a friend, but also for His enemies! What a life of love we are called to! That Jesus knowing that Judas was to betray Him, still washed His feet! What a beautiful picture of Love.

And this is what it means to put on Christ. It is to walk in the reality that we have been made one with Him in all things. Ever hear people say, "Jesus is alive still today!"? Well....He is! He is alive, breathing and living through you! So put on love and surrender to His Spirit that is living in You today! He wants to be let out! Love like life counts on it.....because it does.

India and Israel trip this Spring!

As I (Brandon) look at my passport I can only dream of the adventure that lies ahead. Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Calcutta are a few of the cities we will be traveling to. For years I have anticipated this moment. This Spring this dream is coming true! From May 7th through the 16th I will turn away the riches of America, embarking on a journey into the slums of India. This may sound bizarre but I’ve always wanted to immerse myself in a culture of widespread poverty and famine. Lately there has been an increasing measure of discontentment within my heart. I can't explain why I occasionally feel remarkably dissatisfied while living in one of the World’s wealthiest nations. We have access to an IPOD, ITOUCH, IPAD, or an IPHONE. But in a culture driven with “I” “I” “I” we may have acquired nothing more than being ISAD, IMAD, IBAD, and I-solated.

I’m reminded of the passage of scripture when Jesus gathered His disciples and said, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?” (Mark 8:36) Historically the United States of America, and to some extent, presently, is the wealthiest nation in the world. It’s been said statistically, “if an individual grosses $32,000 a year they are in the top 5% of the World’s most wealthy. If their gross income is above $54,000 a year they are within the top 1%. When taking this knowledge into consideration, being an American citizen, I can’t help but hold myself accountable. I may not be living in the top 1-5% bracket but I know among the human race I’m in the top 10% richest in the world. As I travel to India I anticipate areas of my own selfishness to be confronted with the world’s poorest. My prayer has now become, “Search me O’God and know my heart, try me and know my ways, see if there be any wicked way in me.” (Psalm 139)

While our feet trek across the land of India I’m excited to minister to the poor, broken and hungry. However, to be honest and transparent, my true desire is to become more broken while I’m there. A broken and contrite spirit my heart desires. I don’t want to walk through life numb and desensitized to the needs of men. I don’t ever want to eat a meal unappreciative, nor take for granted a closet full of clothes and a house full of belongings. I’ll be the first to confess I have many possessions and could give more than I do. The Word says we will be held accountable to every idol word we speak. Do you think God will hold us accountable to every idol dollar spent?

I don’t say this to shame us, but I say this to FREE us! Because where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. I want to be free from the cares of non-eternal possessions! I believe God is sending me to India because He is circumcising my heart. I’m holding back tears writing this because I’ve entered into the reality that the gospel will cost me everything. “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35)

Would you partner with me in raising $3,400 to go to India? This may seem like a large amount but it’s so small to the Lord. Think of it in these terms: If 16 people simply invest $200 dollars then we will be at our goal. If 32 people generously sow $100 or even 64 people cheerfully give $50 dollars, our goal will be achieved. Or come along side us and partner monthly with Burn 24-7! Regardless of the amount there is no small offering in the eyes of our LORD. Together let’s give with a cheerful heart and together we will reap a harvest!  

Endless Love,  

Brandon and Crystal

If you want your gift to be tax-deductible you can make checks payable to: Elim Fellowship with Brandon Jackel/India in the memo. Please mail to Elim Fellowship, 1703 Dalton Rd., Lima, NY 14485 Thank You! Or give right Elim ONLINE: make sure you put under directions/other contributions who its going to. ;-) Donating through Elim allows us to be tax-exempt. Otherwise you can also give here.

P.S. As the Lord leads, I (Brandon) will also be going to Israel directly after India for about a week. The price was really good going from India to Israel, so my plan is to sync up with Living Bread Ministries while in Israel and serve along side them during the week of Pentecost. 

Join the movement: www.citytocityrevival.com; www.burn24-7.com

what is love?

What is 1 Corinthians 13 really saying?!

1 Corinthians 13 is the most commonly known verse about love, and is the most popular verse chosen at wedding ceremonies. And though the Church as a whole as seen this love chapter through the lens of marriage, it wasn't written with that being the only regard. Paul originally wrote them to address a specific situation which many of us today miss.  Paul was addressing the appropriate use of spiritual gifts to a body of believers that was divided on many issues. Above all, love was what Paul was compelling the Church to do. It wasn't only something married couples were called to, but we as a Church whole are called to walk....above everything.

Here are some of Peterson's (author of The MESSAGE translation) thoughts and my own together. Its piercing to read this in context, and absolutely life changing to read it as one who is called to walk in love (equivalent to walking by the Spirit).

If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power and authority, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain and simple, and if I have faith that moves mountains, but have not love I am of no value. (Not your worth value, but what you so has no value.)  If I give everything I own to the poor and die as a martyr, but I die without loving, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up. It will not fail you ever! It supersedes all things, in every situation, in every circumstance.

Love cares more for others than for self. It chooses to be selfless even when you feel taken advantage of.Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut; its not out to prove something. It is not competitive, but allows others to rise above themselves.Doesn’t have a swelled head and is not arrogant or haughty. It doesn't pretend to always have all the answers.Doesn’t force itself on others, it is sincere, considerate, and slow to  accuse.Love isn’t always “me first,”and it doesn’t fly off the handle. Love learns self-control and knows when to ask for forgiveness. Love doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, or measure one's sin to another.Love doesn’t revel when others grovel, or say "I told you so" in someone's mistake. It doesn't condemn, but brings life.Love takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, and makes it ok to make mistakes, learn and then grow.Love puts up with anything, even when you may be hurting. It pursues even when you feel betrayed.Love doesn't put trust in man, but trusts God always,Always looking for the best,Never looking back,But continues to go to the end. Love is the eternal treasure that cannot be taken from you and continues to grow into all eternity. 

Love never dies. Self-help and motivational speeches will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes (the unknown) will be canceled. And what will be left is love.

And isn't this what Christ did for us? When you examine the life of Jesus, He fulfilled all these things! He was the beautiful example of Love. If we need someone to lead by example, He is it! And its because of His grace that we can love the way He did. And He still loves this way, but now its through us. Let's be compelled to love today.

naturally supernatural

I have often heard men (and women) from the pulpit talk about how they observe miracles happening in third-world countries, but there seems to be none happening in America. Then they usually make conclusions based on that observation by saying, "it must be that the third-world demands the miraculous while Americans have other avenues such as doctors, medicine, counseling, education, etc.) Though this answer may be one part in searching out reasons why Believers are not experiencing supernatural signs, wonders, and miracles everyday, I do not believe it is the very reason. In fact, contrary to what many say, American believers ARE experiencing the supernatural daily, but you will need to just search a little harder on where these men and women are, and what communities are embracing this aspect of supernatural life. I think the difference lies in what we believe.

For someone who first goes to his doctor for medicine to heal his sickness before trusting and seeking God, this ultimately is rooted in what the man believes about God and about himself. It doesn't make it wrong. It just means we can figure out what we believe but how we respond and live life. There are indirect beliefs we have that we don't even know we have, but our actions can clearly show us what is in our heart. From my own experience of being a part of global missions around the world, several different believing communities, and hearing many many teachers in the Body of Christ teach, how we live our life is a direct result of what we believe. Almost every community that embraces the grace message of the mystic union we have we Jesus (John 17), usually walks in some aspect of the supernatural. In fact, its then the supernatural becomes our natural, and the abnormal our normal, the radical our life. It is then it becomes the way of life.

The Greek word for spiritual gift is charisma, which is derived from the Greek word charis, which means grace. It could be better translated that we have been given spiritual graces, rather than spiritual gifts. Gifts imply a sense of personal entitlement, while grace implies the concept of love and mercy given to us by nothing of our own effort. Why do we care? While many people forbid the demonstration of the "gifts" of the Spirit, it is my conviction that to deny the gifts of the Spirit is to deny the same source of Grace (as a person) that is responsible for reconciling humanity. If you cannot find spiritual relevance for daily demonstrating the graces of the Spirit, which Jesus defined would heal the sick, raise the dead, and deliver the oppressed of demons, I would question the premise of what you might understand the fullness of the grace of God to be.

For many of us we looked at grace as being the unmerited favor that allowed us to follow the law (Old Covenant). We rarely see grace as the person the Christ, we usually see it as the outcome of Christ's death and resurrection. But through the Grace of God, which is Jesus Himself, we have been crucified of the flesh so that HE MAY LIVE! Grace allow us to enter into a new, and better covenant than before (Hebrews 8:6). "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20) For many of us as believers we choose to not walk in the supernatural because of fear (fear of failure, fear of the outcome, fear of people, fear of rejection or even fear of self- insecurity). And fear is the result of living under an Old Covenant mentality. Sometimes we don't even realize what we believe until we are confronted with it in our own actions. Under grace and love, there is no fear anymore. Jesus died, so that we may live, more importantly, He may live through us. When we walk in the reality that Christ is breathing, actively participating living life through us, we no longer fear the supernatural. The supernatural was never based (same as grace) on what we do. Its the outcome of walking in who we are! When we walk in our truest nature (which was His intent from the beginning) as the fullness of God living in us, we can not help but walk in the supernatural. It will be the inevitable. 

If your desiring to be naturally supernatural, begin to evaluate what you really believe. How do you view yourself? How do you view God? Do you see the nature of Jesus and the nature of God different from one another? If you do this could reveal a dual belief system. For years, we take what has been passed down and taught to us as truth without challenging it. But we see, even around the world, when a new believer comes to the Lord without any aid but the Spirit of God and their Bible, they have a greater truth of the grace of God than any "churched" person I've met. We must be willing to be challenged in this area, especially for the American Christian Church. The face of Western Christianity is changing. And as believers we have to make choices to be ok with learning that maybe we don't know everything. Maybe there is something about my life that could be more. Why settle? Why be mediocre? Why be a nominal Christian when you can walk in so much more!? 

it pays to not pay

I really don't love going to our public market in the winter.

But with the savings I have with going, its worth it! 

Check out what I got today all for $35!

It also pays to go local (even better when you save $)

Not everything here is local, but it will help support local businesses. 

The more we choose to shop local, the better it is for small farms.

And EVERYONE has something local by them. 

It only takes a little research to find out where to go. 

You could always check out Local Harvest for a farm near you!

Or there's Farmers Market as well.

Also, word of mouth is some of the best ways to find out what's near you! :-)

I recently watch a documentary that I {HIGHLY} recommend!

FARMAGEDDON 

It really is a "must-see"!

It will change your perspective on health, on the farming industry, and food integrity.

what love looks like

Joshua Tongol's been here teaching our community on visualization and the power of our mind! I'm like blown away here! I can not believe how much of the supernatural REALLY is suppose to be EASY, SIMPLE and FUN!

So ever since Tongol taught on visualization and the power of the mind I've literally just been thinking positive....about myself, about every aspect of life. It's making a huge difference as a mother, and even better in the gym! I've been speaking words of life over myself that have made me accomplish more in my day! It's nuts. In addition to that I had two accounts and one healing in the last two days that visualization aided in bringing things to pass. They were so small but so significant for me.

Yesterday, brandon and I ordered a dessert, and by faith I just said she's gonna bring us two orders (we only ordered one) and then I visualized it in my mind, her bringing us two orders of baklava. When she brought the dessert over, one for us to eat then, and then a SECOND one wrapped to go!!!! And we didn't have to pay for it...just being blessed with it! 

The Great and Beautiful Commandment

The second time was when I went to the YMCA today. Parking is always awful for me and then trying to get three little ones to follow me is harder. So today I visualized a parking spot right in front of the doors, and BEHOLD there it was when I arrived....right in front of the doors! It was blowing my mind! THEN, this is the BEST part.

I see a woman in the locker room who is in obvious pain. She's got exaggerated breathing, frustrated sighing, walking as in pain, getting dressed very slowly. As I'm getting ready I just sense The Lord so I walk up to her and ask if she wants to be healed. She asks me, "are you into alternative medicine." And I'm like, "we'll yes I am! Can I heal you?" And she says, "absolutely!" This women later tells me she has had cancer three times, fiber maloscia (spelling?), lots of stress, arthritis, and joints all a mess. she walks me over to a private area and I just begin to touch areas of her body and say IT IS DONE! I ask her to VISUALIZE with me that she is completely healed until she feels the reality of it. No pain, walking straight, breathing easy, etc . She said she felt electricity come out of my hands and felt fire every where I touched. And BAM, HEALED!!! She was walking different, bending different, and she had peace all over here. I told her that Jesus was the fire and electricity coming out of me.So now she wants to come and worship with us all on Thursdays! Here's the crazy catch! She afterwards tells me she is a witch and her husband is a transsexual and then asks me "does that matter?" I almost broke in tears of joy! Seriously. I said NO! We love you! Come and worship with us. Then she says, I know it's Jesus who healed me. I want to give you my contact info! Needless to say, I am smoked by the goodness of God today! I had love that couldn't be contained.....I never felt before! Jesus IS real! Come on!

What if we love people the way God loves them? How much more can we change the world by loving others into the truth of His love and grace! I challenge us to love like He loves.

City to City Revival

Natural family planning

Can you relate?

Yeah, we can too :-)

If you haven't heard my story, you should check it out. God's done quite the deep work with my heart since I married my hubby (almost) 6 years ago.

But God's been challenging me EVEN MORE! Last January Brandon and I went to Israel with Burn 24/7. There was a powerful prophetic woman there and she began to talk about children and the conviction of believing the Word of God and what it says about children. The Word is constantly pointing to the next generation, always pointing to family and expansion. With zeal in her heart she began to say how she saw pro-life very differently than most. Many advocates will condemn abortion, whole refusing to allow God to number their own children. It really struck me to the heart. I've always preached this myself. Lord, whatever your will. But many times it's....whatever your will, BUT not my womb Lord! We want to give Him our lives, but we don't want to give Him our womb. And she continued to express, that pro-life to the Lord is exactly that....you are FOR every life He wants to bring through you. Wow. What conviction! What revelation! What a challenge!

After having our third at home, we decided to take a break. And, really, since the first time I decided to stop taking birth control, we family planned. I really wanted a 3-4 year break. My body was having a hard time adjusting to pregnancies so close together and my baby weight was coming off slower and slower after each baby. I didn't feel healthy, so I didn't want a baby. Sounds reasonable right? Not to mention all the things I wanted beforehand: more money, bigger house, more time, more help, more support, more, more, more...

Sure its reasonable, but I have to confess...I hardened my heart to hear anything outside of what my own plans were. I did what was practical, what felt right. It wasn't until a couple months ago when I had two back-to-back dreams where I had more children in them. Then it was followed by a dream my husband had saying we missed hearing God in this. Needless to say, I WAS UNDONE! And after seeking the Lord pertaining to it all, I felt a softening in my heart. It didn't mean we were going to start trying tomorrow, but the Lord was dealing with something that was in my heart.....an unsurrendered womb. Here I am telling others to practice what they preach, and the Lord is showing me how I'm not living out my own message.

What's the principle? I don't know when we're suppose to have another baby, but I know it will most likely be before I originally planned. My heart is open and my ears are listening, and that is what is important. I can't tell Him my life is His but reserve my womb for myself. And the truth is, when I look at each of my children I would not give them up for anything, even a little extra weight. They are diamonds in the Kingdom; they are a birthing of a movement; they are priceless gifts that can not be measured....and that is the truth.

choosing a protein supplement

It's been difficult choosing a protein shake that I really like with the quality ingredients I really desire. But since training for Iron Girl, I've really been trying to keep my eye open for a whole foods based protein shake that would be cost effective for our budget. Well I finally found one I love!

This one is:

vegan

raw

whole foods nutrition

low-glycemic

sugar-free and free of artificial sweeteners (sugar alcohols)

made with sprouted grain

provides probiotics and digestive enzymes

all its nutrients I can pronounce

So far I have only tried the vanilla, but I plan to try the chocolate next :)

As far as taste, I wouldn't say its phenomenal, but its doesn't taste bad. And for me, it does the job. It is sweetened with stevia.

I really loved the fact that this was vegan because I already have plenty of meat in my diet. I'm not against dairy, this just happen to fit what I needed. Our family sticks pretty close to a Paleo lifestyle, so this was a great addition to getting something I don't get on a normal basis. I usually have this after a work-out or as occasional meal replacement when I'm needing it. As a mother, that can come in handy! No more days where I forget to eat!

Protein is essential after a work out because it provides the building blocks of nutrients to help your muscles repair and recover. And on a personal note, when I do not get some sort of protein within an hour or 2 after my work-out I feel very slow and lethargic. But days I do, I actually feel more energetic than normal.

If your interested, I get my raw protein (and all my other supplements) at Puritan's Pride. I don't love all of PP's products, but I've been able to find the ones I do love for a reasonable price. 

Also, if this protein powder doesn't suit you, maybe your looking for something WITH dairy. There's also lots of great powders out there with quality whey protein concentrate. Dr. Mercola sells some (but their pricey). Either way, make sure when you're buying a protein supplement its whole foods based, there are not any ingredients in it you can't pronounce, and that its a concentrate NOT an isolate. Isolates are very detrimental to your health and you will want to avoid them AT ALL COSTS! Highly recommend you catch Mercola's youtube video on the differences between whey protein concentrates and isolates. 

What protein powder do you like?

Green and healthy-gut smoothie!

This is what I had for lunch today :-)

Ingredients:

Whole milk cultured yogurt 

Scoop of Triple Greens

Unsweetened Almond Milk

2 over-ripe bananas, fresh or frozen

Little raw honey to taste

Here's what I use for my triple greens:

The reason I LOVE triple greens because it really helps me to get nutrients from food that I wouldn't get otherwise.

And you can see why, just check the label:

If your wondering why probiotics are great for you, or just thinking maybe I need some help figuring out if I have enough "good" bacteria to help gut flora I recommend taking a look at this!

I have personally been having gut issues for many years without realizing it. I also have indoor and outdoor allergies, not extreme, but enough to make me uncomfortable. Probiotic have been ONE way I have had help in this area. 

Also you can replace almond milk with coconut milk or raw grass-fed cow's milk. This is typically what I would do since this really helps me with my allergies, but our local farm doesn't produce from January to Spring. What I love about our milk is that I can make my own yogurt out of it without having to purchase from the store, that way I'm guaranteed live active good bacteria :)

The best part about this smoothie is that I was stuffed full! I could barely finish it and it provided a great amount of energy for a run at the gym! 

Life is a gift

Making family memories!

The holiday season is great. There is truly nothing better than spending time with family and friends while feasting on our favorite foods. Exchanging and receiving gifts while feasting more on our favorite foods. When the glorious New Year arrives we reflect back on the past with hope for the future, all while feasting on our favorite foods. After indulging on food, laughing hysterically, and giving hugs and kisses to those we love, we assuredly come back to the commonality of what every individual has been given: the precious gift of Life.

Some say life is simple. Others disagree and say life is complicated. I’ve heard life’s purpose is about gain and promotion and I’ve also heard it's simply about giving and sacrifice. Some people believe life is expensive, while others view life as being free. There have definitely been times and seasons where life appeared complicated and hard. I’ve also experienced my fair share of striving to gain and obtain while thinking life is not cheap. However, meditating on this last year and entering into a new year I realized how much my perspective on life is completely changing.

By: Cost of Discipleship Blogspot

I have discovered life is truly free and the most valuable commodities in life actually don’t cost a cent. Take time for instance. I’ve never had to exchange a dollar to experience another minute or hour. I’ve never had to work and labor in achieving an extra day or month. People are significantly valuable, yet I never purchased my wife, nor used a charge card to acquire my children. A check has never been written to change or create the beauty of winter, spring, summer, or autumn. Nor has it ever been costly to experience the awe of sunsets, rainbows, and starry nights.

Life is a gift. Life is simple, and life is free. I had a dream the night before New Years Eve and it freed me. I share it with you because I believe God is calling us as children, to enjoy the priceless treasures He has freely given us, simply in its purest form.

The dream unfolded with the scene of an enormous arena filled with hundreds of people from all over the world. It was an arena that reminded me of the American Gladiator Stadium but without the gladiators and there wasn't any sort of competition happening. Every individual was eager and thrilled to be part of this climatic gathering. Some people I recognized and others I’ve never seen before, but I felt relationally connected to all these people in my life. There was such an overwhelming sense of peace, love, unity and respect for one another, each individual’s presence contributing to this cocktail of brotherly love. Then we were filled with this explosive energy! This is what made the dream remarkably great. Every single person was filled with blissful joy as we ecstatically ran around like little children without a single worry, care, or concern in the world! People were leaping over equipment while others were jumping on enormous trampolines. Some were playing tag, while others were racing each other. Some people were climbing on huge rubbery, spongy equipment, while others talked and engaged in conversation. I was caught up in a swirl of cartwheels, summersaults, skipping, imitating, and laughing. In that moment I felt like the happiest kid in the world who had the greatest friends ever.

When I woke up from the dream I just laid there with a big grin on my face. It changed me. Every care in that moment was obsolete and I knew the Lord wanted to speak to me. I believe this year is going to be marked with delightful play and vitality, like children playing with their father. I believe the Lord wants to shift and release us from the weight of worldly cares to a Kingdom culture of eternal joy! Its is our nature to worry about non-eternal things, but its in His nature to remove those things for a heart that screams FREEDOM! It's the divine exchange! Our heart for His...

...because this life was meant to be a gift.

By Brandon Jackel