Wellspring Women’s Ministry Blog and Online Community

Hi all! This years’ Wellspring Women’s Conference is fast approaching! We’re excited and praying . Here are a few prayer requests:

-That all those who would benefit from this conference would hear about it and register.
-That each woman who wants to go would have the finances, faith for finances, childcare arrangements, & a ride there.
-No sicknesses would keep women away.
-That the workshop leaders would have the focus and ability to fine tune their workshops and minister to their families in the process! Please cover them with prayers for health, clarity, inspiration/sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.
-That all volunteer spots for the conference would be filled.
-Protection and health for the guys who are planning to pray for us during the conference.
-That all administrative details would go smoothly.

We welcome all fasters! Some will be fasting every Thursday before the conference. Please join us or choose your own time period for fasting if so led. We want to receive everything the Lord has for us Oct 2-4!

I may have written about this before, I’m not sure…but we are in a season where our prayers will really make the difference between life and death. Where we will see great things in answer to our prayers. If you don’t have regular time away with the Lord, now is the time. Don’t wait. You just don’t know what tomorrow will bring.

I love to pray. I love to pray because of what I hear, not necessarily what I have to say…although I usually have a lot to say and have grown confident over the years that the Lord really does want to hear my thoughts and really does respond to them so I usually can’t wait to give my concerns to him each day and ask him what he is going to do about them! Many times I have no idea what to pray before I begin. Many times I begin with the Lord, hopelessly carnal or selfish in my thoughts and then as I yield to the Holy Spirit, I become aware of what he is saying and moved and changed by his perspective and begin to see things differently.
I became a Christian in the 80’s, but didn’t discover how personal the Lord is until 1994 when I was in my third pregnancy and decided I needed daily exercise. For a year I incorporated walking the Fort Knox housing area at night with my quiet time with the Lord. My husband would use this time to love on our kids…putting them to bed and I would spend 45-60 minutes alone with the Lord praying, walking, and before too long…listening, praising, and just enjoying his presence.
As I look back, this was the time when my life changed. This is when I began to hear from the Lord and see things that I never saw before. I would experience burdens for people I would read or hear about in the news. Sometimes these burdens would come with groanings and tears that I had no words for. Then as quickly as they would come, they would leave and I would know it was God.
It was during this time when I miscarried our third child. As tragic as loss of this kind is, it was cushioned with special comfort the Lord gave to me as I was able to receive his thoughts and see things through his eyes and feel his presence. What a comfort he was. It was during this time that the Lord began to speak to my heart about giving my family to him. He made me aware that I couldn’t grow in faith or in my relationship with him until I gave my family to him in my heart. I was holding on to some fears of losing them that was keeping me from a deeper relationship with him because I wasn’t trusting him. After battling with this concept of letting go for a few days, I did and gave them and their futures to him.
Four years later, my husband died in a helicopter crash. Abruptly removed from our lives. My children were very small. My fourth and youngest was born that year, three months before he died.
I know the Lord called to me in 1994 for a deeper walk with him because of the circumstances that lied ahead. He was preparing me for something that wouldn’t make sense to the natural mind. Humanly speaking, it doesn’t make sense for a woman to raise kids by herself. But we all face situations that don’t make sense and we have to walk forward anyway either with him or without him. I wouldn’t have made it these years without that personal relationship with God born from prayer. The knowledge that he is there and cares has caused me to stop and listen for his voice, and has sustained me through many trials. Even so, I feel like I’ve made it through the past 12 years with fire singed hair and clothes….I haven’t always availed myself of the privileges of my inheritance…haven’t always trusted him perfectly, and have learned the hard way that self sufficiency really sucks in light of the wealth of wisdom and strength that is available to those that are his. But I have made it…and with each day I grow stronger in faith having learned and learning still that there is no place like home….home being where he is every moment of the night and day. I desire nothing more.

As I thought about what to write this week, I realized that there is nothing I could share that is better than the word below that I read yesterday.  It expresses well what has been on my heart.  I’ve been weary of certain things from past seasons.  I’m tired of the devil getting more credit than he should.  Giving him place where no place should be given.  And while I’m also personally tired of (as an intercessor) of talking about birthing, transition, being pregnant with promises of God, etc.  (I’ve been hearing this kind of talk for years and not seeing many babies born), the reality is that we go through transitions all the time, living as ever changing children of God in a physical world.  We really are currently in a time of change and with change comes certain difficulties.  It should be no surprise.

No change in my life has come without pain.  I have come to greatly value the results that the pain of change brings.  The humbling and breaking of my own proud, selfish heart.  I cherish it and if any hardship is from the devil, than I do give him credit for being responsible for pushing me closer to the King of this world  HA! and having my heart and life changed to be more like Him.  Isn’t it wonderful that the devil is a tool in the hand of God?  I hope you enjoy this word as much as I did.  

Sue

“Invitation to a New Season”

by Shelly Kalenius of Extreme Prophetic Ministries

Apr 27, 2009 

Recently, I had the honor to participate in the birth of our second grandson Ethan. As I watched my daughter Sarah go through the different stages of birth, the Lord gave me a picture. There are several stages of labor, but the one He spoke to me about was “transition.” 

Transition is the most difficult phase of labor, as the contractions are stronger and longer than earlier contractions and they prepare for the final push. Many physical and emotional symptoms may occur during transition such as dizziness, trembling, nausea, anger, and surprisingly, despair. The pain is so intense and the task of getting that baby out seems so impossible that the mother may lose hope and sight of the goal for a short time. Pain can change our perspective and behavior in ways we could not imagine.

I will never forget Sarah’s words during this time, “I can’t do this anymore…I don’t want to do it…I don’t want to be here! Can I stop now?” These words tore at my heart. I wanted to take the pain away, but it was not my battle. What I did do is pray, encourage her, tell her she could do it, persuade her to keep up the good fight and remind her how close to the goal she was. She needed to make it through this transition in order to move to the next stage, the actual birth.

Over the last several years, we’ve been blessed to live in a time of spiritual awakening to the hidden things of God, the supernatural realm of the Spirit, signs, wonders and miracles. I believe in these last two years we entered into a major transition. We have been, and continue to be, tested, shaken, and pruned. The whole earth, the economy, and the Body of Christ are being shaken and sifted. 

In this season, our love for one another has been tested. It has been a time of learning how to “go low” and prefer others above ourselves. These are key lessons to learn, because Love is the foundation that will stand during this next season.

Like transition during the physical birthing process, I believe we are moving into an even more intense level of transition. There will be a time of tremendous pressure as we draw a line in the sand, choosing to stand for righteousness and justice, for mercy and grace. We must choose this road if we want to press forward. We must understand and count the cost of this choice. We need to listen for the cries that will come with this transition, “I can’t do this anymore…I don’t want to do it. I don’t want to be here! Can I stop now? This hurts too much!”

If we understand some of the by-products of transition can be despair, loss of hope and anguish, we can choose to come alongside people, encouraging them to fight the good fight, to remember the prize at the end of the race, and to help them through the hard places. We are all human and all going through this together. Who knows? It could be me or you crying out. We need each other and we need accountability. The pressure of birthing, of changing and transforming into the likeness of Christ is not for the faint of heart. Together, with God’s mercy and grace, we can finish this race.

Our Prayer: Thank you, Father, that You are the Master Gardener, pruning us when necessary so we will yield good fruit. We offer our hearts to You as we enter this new season.

We Decree that:

• There is no compromise in our level of love and mercy and we will not waver from the truth.

“But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth.”—Psalm 86:15

• Through God’s mercy, healing is coming to those in the Body of Christ who have been wounded by us or others in the Body. We speak restoration, wholeness and unity, in Jesus’ name.

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”—James 5:16

• We walk in love with one another, putting aside fleshly judgment, preferring one another to ourselves.

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.”—Romans 12:10

• We choose to walk a very clear line, committing to be an example of His righteousness.

“O LORD, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes; make Your way straight before me.”—Psalm 5:8

• We take a stand for morality and will walk with and for God. We stand for His truth and righteousness (in love), and we ask God to help us so we will not disqualify ourselves by stepping into judgment or the anger of man.

“For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.”—Matthew 7:2

• Conviction and clarity will come to the Body, and unrighteousness and lawlessness will be revealed and dealt with.

“Love…does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.”—1 Corinthians 13:6

• We submit ourselves to God’s shepherding in this new season we are entering into.

“So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with his skillful hands.”—Psalm 78:72

• We embrace the finished work of the Cross and ask forgiveness for pride in our own ability to fulfill what is right.

“But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.”—Isaiah 53:5

• We depend on God’s grace to fulfill the assignment He has given us.

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.”—2 Corinthians 9:8

• We will walk in humbleness before the Lord and man. When we make mistakes, we will confess our sin. We will help each other and hold each other accountable.

“(Living as becomes you) with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.”—Ephesians 4:2 AMP

• We will embrace this new season God is taking us into with open hearts and a willingness to take a stand for a moral revolution, walking in purity, grace, righteousness and mercy.

“And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.”—Galatians 6:9

I’ve been thinking lately of when I was a kid. Life for me as a child was a wonderful adventure. 

Unless you’ve had a traumatic childhood, most people have good memories of when they were a kid. Life was new…everything was an experience to the senses. Small things brought joy and excitement. You noticed and examined tiny things…colors…smells…. 

Summertime for me was magical. Every season brought it’s own joys, but summer was different. It was a time when the regular structure relaxed. Playtime was longer…bedtime was a little later. The possibilities for daily adventure were pretty limitless to a child with a lot of energy, strong imagination, and a joy for living. 

I grew up in a populous suburb of a large city. In our neighborhood were hundreds of tiny houses like mine, a school, a community pool and a corner store. My life revolved around these things. We all knew our neighbors and their names and some of their background. We all hung out together, at different times… knowing whose yard or home contained that which would contribute to that days’ search for adventure . We especially knew which houses had the best hideout bushes and meeting points for when we were out playing things like hide and seek, tag, street ball, etc… 

We were on the constant outlook for fun. 

In the summer we would get up and out early and play most all day outside. We’d spend many afternoons around the corner at the neighborhood pool. Even meal times in the summer were different from the usual northern diet of meat, potatoes and canned vegetables. 

Night time brought it’s own joys. It was as if you could breath in the sights, sounds and smells of dusk. The contrasting hues, the wonder of light transforming to dark and the sudden pronouncement of the coming of night by stars that held their peace by day. There was the surprise arrival in July of lightening bugs that sparkled in the shadows. Sometimes we’d sleep out in the tent in our yard, which for me was as close to heaven as you could get. 

Sometimes we’d discover things you wouldn’t expect to see in a cemented environment like a praying mantis or a snake! Wow! 

These memories came to mind as I was thinking about the summer to come this year. Early in 2008 I felt that this was going to be a spiritually “hot” summer. Where unexpected things would occur that would bring us together as the body of Christ. Much like the community I remember only better. I didn’t know what, but I imagined gatherings and fellowships…the simple joys of shared camaraderie that had the same tone as my childhood experiences. 

I believe that the “climate of faith” that is being created by the Florida revival and other revival outbreaks and happenings will contribute to this. I believe the body of Christ will rise up and re-discover the joys of life and the joys of living together as the family of God, and ultimately the joy of knowing Jesus himself! 

Some points that come to mind from my happy childhood: 

1. Each day, time of day, and season is new and fresh and has hidden joys waiting to be discovered. 

(some of the greatest joys are hidden and must be discovered, some aren’t hidden at all but can easily be missed without an observant eye)

2. Take time to examine small things/discoveries. Savor each opportunity. 

3. Changes bring new discoveries. 

4. Everyone has something all their own to contribute to the body of Christ. 

5. There are appointed seasons for our lives. Winters might be long, but Spring always comes. 

6. There is always something to be thankful for. 

7. Hope breeds excitement for living. 

8. Focus on finding what is good, not on finding what is bad. 

9. Pray, ask, and look for the unexpected. 

10. The only thing that really matters in life is learning how to release to others expressions of love, joy, hope, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

My hope and prayer for all who read this is that you find great joy this summer.  New childlike hope, new discoveries, and new relationships that will bond you with your brothers and sisters in Christ in such a way that the world will know that God is in you, that He is real, and that He is good!

Bless you.

Sue Alspach

As I’ve been considering the recent Boundaries blog by Gloria, I was thinking about my own issues with boundaries in the home, both setting and accepting, and wanted to offer some of the things I’ve learned over the years to those who may be in circumstances similar to mine. In an effort not to use the word boundaries a hundred times, I’ll shorten it to bd’s. I’ve been a single parent for 10 years, my husband having died when my kids were small and bd’s were much easier to define and maintain between the two of us. As I look back over the last ten years, I see that many of the struggles I‘ve had in raising my kids have come from not establishing appropriate bd’s early on. Now I wasn’t raised with many of those myself, and made my own way in life making many harmful and foolish choices before turning my life over to Christ. Truly, I am fortunate to be alive and disease-free as my lifestyle was worldly and reckless.

After I turned to the Lord, I met my husband, got married and started having children. My husband was one of the most stable and grounded Christian men I have ever known and was a GREAT dad. However, the Lord allowed him to graduate to heaven earlier than expected. This left me in charge of an impossible task. I can think of at least 20 women right off the bat wiser and better prepared to raise children than me. I am being honest here… I’m not bashing myself. God has given me many things that I thank him for, and I love my family dearly and there have been plenty of good times, but I didn’t have alot ‘in the natural’ to help me with this task and have not always set good boundaries nor done the right thing, and have even caused bumps in the road. So what is the answer to that? For those who are carrying loads and left in charge of impossible tasks? Is it just tough luck, make the best of it? For some of us, it seems like by the time we figure out how to do something right, we’ve already wrecked things by doing it wrong! So where is God in that? The following lifestyle habits are actually the lifeline God has used to keep me from “going under“ and has and is helping me to see where the boundary lines should fall in my family. I hope it helps someone else who has found themselves in over their head and is wondering from whence their help will come?

1. Daily communion with God, taking your troubles and joys to Him first, releasing hurts, and lingering long enough to hear what God has to say is not just a good idea but absolutely necessary. Vital.

I can’t stress this enough.

2. Reading His word and memorizing his promises, especially those that pertain to your situation is not only a good idea, but absolutely necessary. Vital. I can’t stress this enough.

*It has been God’s promises, the healing knowledge of who he is that I’ve received through prayer relationship, and witnessing his love for me through his intervention that has kept me from giving up and drowning.

3. Taking the Lord at His word. Trusting what He says, knowing– or even just suspecting, that his GRACE is bigger than what you think, while also being able to say “I‘m sorry! I screwed up!”, is not just a good idea but absolutely necessary. Vital. I can’t stress this enough. Have you read Isaiah 50:10??

4. Look for hidden joys and find the things you are thankful for. (even if it’s just 15 minutes of peace in the bathroom! Or a sweet banana! Or the feel of grass under your feet!)

5. An expectation and mindset to see the miraculous hand of God move on your behalf. Expect miracles! This is not just a good idea…..

I’m not trying to be flippant, but these things are beyond suggested habits, they are our lifeline and foundation of abundant living, and will bring wisdom, change, and sane bd’s. Healing where there has been damage; truth where there has been deception,; hope, joy, and peace where there has been despair, sadness, and fear; vision and a plan where there has been none. And the best part about it is that this is true EVERY MORNING. His mercies are new and fresh each day!