Dream Interpretatation - Dreams Part 5, 100th Post

This is my 100^th post and I want to thank all my dear blogging friends for your continued comments and support. What a wonderful journey this has been. It’s been my pleasure to meet many of you, and I look forward to meeting those I haven’t had the pleasure to meet yet. Please look me up if you’re in the Denver area. May God bless you mightily in 2008.

Dream Interpretation

I started this dream series to share some of the things I’ve learned over the last year, and in the process, I’ve learned much more myself. I’ve noticed now that I am paying attention to my dreams; God has increased my prophetic dreams and their interpretations. My discernment is more in tune with His and I am able to hone in on my dreams and remember them long afterwards. This is what God’s shown me so far:

Not all dreams are prophetic. If I’m not sure, I write it down anyway and ask God for confirmation. If I don’t get confirmation, I release it and wait for the next one. The important thing is to keep an open mind. I’ve had dreams I was sure weren’t prophetic but they stayed with me all day, sometimes several days, until I finally asked God if He had anything for me in it. Usually the dreams I can’t shake are prophetic, even if they seem off-the-wall or outlandish.

Dreams don’t need to be earth shattering to be prophetic. Sometimes God is just confirming what He’s already spoken, or He’s moving me down a path I’m already on. Confirmation dreams are very encouraging.

God may warn you in a dream. Do not take a warning dream lightly or summarily dismiss it. God warned Joseph in a dream and He continues to use dreams to caution His children today. If you receive a warning dream, pay attention and heed the warning.

Dreams God gives others for you. Last July, my son came to me, “Mom, I had this terrible dream last night that you were pregnant but then I woke up and realized that it wasn’t possible.”

It may have seemed insignificant to him, but it was confirmation to me. I had also been dreaming about giving birth. The Lord was using this imagery to depict a ‘new birth.’ Pregnancy or birthing often represents change or something new. This was just about the time that I began Bold & Free.

When someone has a dream about you, ask God for confirmation. If it feels “off” or inappropriate, it probably is. God will always confirm a dream in your spirit and/or through The Word. Jer 23:25-32

More than one dream is usually significant. Are you doubting or struggling with something God’s speaking to you about? God often uses dreams to confirm or direct. When He called me out of my last ministry, I didn’t want to go. I couldn’t see what He was saying through my dreams because it went against what I’d already decided God planned for me. During this time of inner struggle, I continually dreamed about miscarriage. He spoke through my dreams to redirect my thoughts. Though I loved the ministry I was involved with, I had to be obedient to God. I see now that He was changing the direction of my ministry and paving the way for me to begin Bold & Free.

Be careful who you share your dreams with. Joseph was very young when he shared his dreams with his brothers and he encountered all sorts of grief for sharing with the wrong crowd. Yes, it was God’s plan, but I imagine he was a little more careful who he shared his dreams with after that.

God may direct you to share your dream with someone who needs encouragement. He may also direct you to share it with someone who can give you greater insight. Use discretion when sharing your dreams, especially if they pertain to others.

Your dreams language is uniquely yours. Unless you’re a farmer, it’s unlikely you will dream about stalks of wheat. He spoke to Joseph in his own dream language, just as He will speak in to you in your own unique dream language, with symbolisms you can relate to.

I often dream about computers. Since I’m a writer, my computer symbolizes my voice. So I know that if I am dreaming about a computer, God is talking to me about my voice or my writing. However, If I was a computer technician, my computer would probably represent my work or vocation. Likewise, if I dreamed about riding in an elevator, the interpretation would be completely different than if He gave the same dream to an elevator engineer.

If you dream about a symbol and God gives you its interpretation, the meaning will remain the same in all your dreams. This is why I strongly recommend keeping a dream journal. As you unlock each words symbolic meaning, dream interpretation will become easier for you. Remember God is the source of all your prophetic dreams and he has the interpretation. Don’t rely on someone else to interpret your dreams or even on some of the good Christian books I’ve listed below. Each dream book’s symbolisms are as different as the authors because they draw from their own dream language. (This is why I’ve chosen not to include symbolism in this post.) Depend on God for the answers

Don’t put a time limit on your dreams. Joseph was only seventeen when he had some life changing dreams. Even his doting father was skeptical. I wonder if young Joe was a little confused when he was sold into slavery. Yet Joseph remained faithful despite his circumstances. Many years later, he saw the fruition of his dreams.

I’ve had dreams and visions I know are for the future. When? Only God knows. Until then, I’ll listen to His voice as He speaks through my dreams or however He chooses to speak to me.

Further Reading:

• Holding Onto God For Dear Life Dreams Part 1
• Is That You God? Dreams Part 2
• God Speaks Through Dreams Part 3
• Biblical Dreams Part 4
• Dream Language by James and Michal Ann Goll
• The Prophet’s Dictionary by Paula A. Price
• Dream On by Sandie Freed
• Dream Talk by Katrina Wilson (Click HERE to enter my contest for this book)

Second Round of Christmas Snow 2007

It's snowing again! It's so beautiful.

This is for all of you who live in warm climates and don't get to experience these big fluffy flakes falling. Enjoy!


Enter to win Dream Talk by Katrina Wilson here. Also be sure to check out Laced with Grace New Years Giveaway.

Christmas Eve 2007- Wordless Wednesday

What a difference a day makes. See next post for video of our Christmas Storm.


Enter my contest by clicking here.

Colorado Christmas Storm 2007

I filmed this on the way to the movies Christmas Day. Don't worry, my DH was driving while I was filming and we have 4 wheel drive. :)

Supporting Our Troops

I verified this with Snopes, If you'd like to send a Christmas card to a member of our armed forces, the Red Cross is accepting cards only (nothing with glitter or anything non conducive to a hospital environment). You can send them to the address below only until Dec 27th so please hurry and send one now to the address below:

We Support You During Your Recovery!

c/o American Red Cross

P O Box 419

Savage, MD 20763-0419

Additionally, you can send an e thanks card to our armed forces by clicking on this link here. You can select a card and a preprinted message, or write your own. It only takes a few moments to spread love and good cheer. Please do so today.

BTW - don't forget to enter my contest by clicking here!

Thirteen Top Posts For 2007

1. Between a Rock and a Hard Place


2. My Tattoo







3. The Golden Compass Movie Review


4. Cats Love Christmas Too!








5. I Love This Town







6. Joy While Giving


7. The Great Santa Debate


8. Thirteen Things NOT to Get Your Wife For Christmas






9. A Contented Marriage


10. Will You Be My Breast Friend






11. Photo Chat









12. Marriage Monday







13. What to Get Your Wife For Christmas



Thanks eMom for the great post idea!

Show Me Your Starbucks!

As you know, I am a big fan of Starbucks. So when my DH sent me this photo of a coworker, I decided to share it with you all. This is Connie in Bejing, China. If you have a photo of your favorite Starbucks, please link up with me and leave a comment.

My Simply Sensational Holiday Season

It all started with Thanksgiving, we did take-out from Mimi’s and it was delicious. Simplifying Thanksgiving was a breeze and much less work. So I decided to simplify the entire holiday season. I want to relax and enjoy the season more.

Every time I began to stress out when things weren’t being done, I did a ‘check.’

“I forgot I’m simplifying the holidays this year.”

That means the kids aren’t getting tons of gifts. It means that I didn’t make all my gifts and the bows to put on them. It means that I finished my shopping early because I’m buying less gifts. It means that we only put up half the lights on the house and I’m not going to stress about the rest. It means purposely cutting back on things that are going to take too much time or energy.

I did, however, make a few exceptions and learned from them. First mistake: I spent two days getting Christmas cards together. Second mistake: I spent an entire day managing Christmas lights. Next year, I’ll send photo cards with our names inscribed and I’ll put my lights away in working order or throw them out.

I’m having a huge crowd over for Christmas Eve and my mom wanted to know what I was serving for dinner. Without missing a beat I said, “Taco Bell.”

There was a pregnant silence before she said, “Oh.”

“Just kidding, Mom. But it will be something simple.”

I’m thinking Subway. They have those huge 6 foot subs. We had that at my son’s rehearsal dinner and it was really good. Whatever we do, it will be fun and simple.

What about you? What are you doing to simplify your festivities? Share your tips and idea’s so we can all learn from them.

Biopsy Report

Thank you all for your prayers. My mole biopsy report came back clear. Yeah God!

The Story of My Tree - Wordless Wednesday

Even on the gloomiest daysthe story on my tree warms my heart.

My Daughters first Christmas. I made this when I was expecting. My son's first Christmas.

If I was an ornament, I would look something like this...

Our first Christmas together.
This was made with thread as we couldn't afford floss.

I made up a bunch of these to hand on the tree's at both kids weddings.

Our newest family members have been added.
I made the pink beaded ornament and gave to Gramma the year she died.
The cross stitch angel my sister made for me.

What a season we had!My BFF Megan got me this for Christmas.
I made this bear ornament in the 80's.
Below is a stained glass my daughter made in 2000.

Merry Christmas! May God bless and prosper you in 2008!

Enter to Win: Dream Talk by Katrina Wilson

Does God speak to you in your dreams? Want to learn even more about it? To enter this contest, comment on dreams or tell us about a dream you've had in the past. Drawing will be held on Jan 2nd @ 12 am.

And The Winners Are...

I'd like to thank everyone for entering my drawing and posting your encouraging comments about gift giving. Please go back and read the comments, you'll be glad you did. Each winner was drawn randomly.

The Winners Are
First prize: Connie's Thoughts From The Heart "My favorite way to give is to give something and not tell who it is from. I love watching people receive and wonder who gave such or such to them. It is a real blessing for me. I think so many times the Lord gives to me and I stop and wonder why He is so good to me. Connie from Texas"

Second Prize: Robbie Iobst "Every year I give a "grace" gift. Since I can't afford to give all the expensive things I would love to, and I simply don't have the time or patience to make everyone gifts, I choose one person each year and really try to do something special for them. Often the Lord surprises me with my choice. This year, I am making a special album for a friend of mine's mother. My friend lost her memory in a boating accident when she was 25. It has been twenty years of rehab and learning to walk and write. But she still doesn't remember her childhood or me, her best childhood friend. So I am giving her and her mom an album, sort of scrapbooked, with pictures and stories of things we did when we were in school. It has been so wonderful for me as I look back and time and thank God for a wonderful friend and a great childhood. It truly is better to give and receive!"

Third Prize: Susan Kelly Skitt "We gave a few toys to a little boy at our church who is being raised by his grandmother. The family doesn't have very much and live in a small apartment in Philadelphia. His grandmother said, "Oh, he loves that little car. He carries it everywhere!" What a joy to know such a small thing can make such a big difference in a little boy's life."

Thank you all for participating. Stay tuned for my next drawing.
Please take a moment to join in The Great Santa Debate.

The Great Santa Debate

Every year since we’ve had kids, I see parents struggle with Santa. Should they tell their kids about Santa? Should they play along with the game? Or should they dogmatically tell their kids there is not Santa from the beginning?

I love this picture of Santa kneeling at the manger. A picture is worth a thousand words. We now know that Santa loves Jesus. Children see and understand this with no explanation. But that only solves one problem.

So should you play the Santa game or not? Each couple must decide for themselves. Our children are grown and married, so the subject doesn’t affect us again until we have grandchildren. At that point, their parents will have to decide what they think is appropriate.

We’ve been all over the board on this and we’ve learned a lot. When the kids were little, we played the Santa game. It was fun and harmless. They knew Christmas was all about Jesus, but like the wise men, Santa brought gifts. Then around five or six, we told them that Santa was a make believe game and not to spoil it for the other kids.

Our line of thought was that if we told our children that Santa, the Easter bunny and the Tooth Fairy were all real and they discovered otherwise, would they then think we were lying about Jesus?

Christ has always been the focal point of our Christmas. We’ve always had a manger scene. One year we had a birthday cake for Jesus. But at one point, I was so fed up with the Santa stealing the lime light, I banned him. Then I realized that Santa, like the Easter bunny, was part of our culture and wasn’t going away.

We posted a poll and here are the results: 27% tell their children he's real; 55% tell them it's make believe; 5% ban Santa; and 11%are still struggling with the issue. So, let’s open this up for discussion. What are you doing about Santa this year with your little ones? If your kids are grown, what did you do with Santa in your house when they were small?

Mammogram Exercises

Many women are afraid of their first mammogram, but there is no need to worry. By taking a few minutes each day for a week preceding the exam and doing the following exercises, you will be totally prepared for the test and best of all, you can do these simple exercises right in and around your home.

EXERCISE ONE:

Open your refrigerator door and insert one breast in door. Shut the door as hard as possible and lean on the door for good measure.

Hold that position for five seconds. Repeat again in case the first time wasn't effective enough.

EXERCISE TWO:

Visit your garage at 3AM when the temperature of the cement floor is just perfect. Take off all your clothes and lie comfortably on the floor with one breast wedged under the rear tire of the car. Ask a friend to slowly back the car up until your breast is sufficiently flattened and chilled. Turn over and repeat with the other breast.

EXERCISE THREE:

Freeze two metal bookends overnight. Strip to the waist. Invite a stranger into the room. Press the bookends against one of your breasts.

Smash the bookends together as hard as you can. Set up an appointment with the stranger to meet next year and do it again.

Now You’re prepared! Actually, the digital mammograms aren't nearly as bad. I recommend you schedule one of those instead.

This was sent to me in an email. Author is unknown.

Please enter my contest before it's too late. Deadline is midnight Dec 14, MST.

Thursday 13 -Frivolous Things That Bring me Joy @ Christmas

1. Lights, lights, and more lights - especially blue ones
2. Sipping Starbucks while its snowing outside
3. Big red bows
4. Candy cane kisses
5. Glitter – adorning clothes, cards, decorations
6. Fur – on packages, people, ornaments
7. Beautifully wrapped packages– to give and to get
8. Christmas lights glowing through a snowy blanket
9. Christmas Parties – hosting and attending
10. Playing Secret Santa
11. Christmas trees covered in glitzy ornaments and tons of lights
12. Banisters draped with evergreen
13. Reminiscing of Christmas past

Are You at Risk For Skin Cancer?

I had a suspicious mole removed today. Thanks, Connie, for reminding me to have this checked. I knew I had some of the risk factors on the mole on my face. My dermatologist was concerned about its appearance too. It had three of the risk factors (see below) and I’m pretty sure it popped up in the last few years. My light hair, skin and eyes place me at a greater risk and Colorado has higher incidents of skin cancer.

The ABCDs of melanoma skin cancer are:

• Asymmetry. One half doesn't match the appearance of the other half.
• Border irregularity. The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred.
• Color. The color (pigmentation) is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown, and black are present. Dashes of red, white, and blue add to a mottled appearance.
• Diameter. The size of the mole is greater than 1/4 inch (6 mm), about the size of a pencil eraser. Any growth of a mole should be evaluated.

Are You at Risk For Skin Cancer?

• Family history of melanoma.
• Sun exposure - The amount of time spent unprotected in the sun
• Early childhood sunburns - Research has shown that sunburns early in life increase a person's risk for skin cancer later in life. Sun exposure early in life is the major contributing factor to developing skin cancer.
• Many freckles.
• Many ordinary moles (more than 50).
• Dysplastic nevi (precancerous or atypical moles)

Visit the Skin Cancer Foundation by clicking here.
Moles that are present at birth and atypical moles, have a greater chance of becoming malignant.

The following six steps are recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation to help reduce the risk of sunburn and skin cancer.

1. Minimize exposure to the sun at midday - between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
2. Apply sunscreen, with at least a SPF-15 or higher that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, to all areas of your body that are exposed to the sun.
3. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even on cloudy days. Reapply after swimming or perspiring.
4. Make sure you wear clothing that covers the body and shades the face. Hats should provide shade for both the face and back of the neck. Wearing sunglasses will reduce the amount of rays reaching the eye by filtering as much as 80 percent of the rays, and protecting the lids of the eyes, as well as the lens.
5. Avoid exposure to UV radiation from sunlamps or tanning parlors.
6. Protect yourself from excessive sun exposure when the sun is strongest (between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.), and apply sunscreen liberally and frequently.
   

Remember, sand and pavement reflect UV rays even under the umbrella. Snow is a particularly good reflector of UV rays. Reflective surfaces can reflect up to 85 percent of the damaging sun rays.

I’ll know the results of the biopsy in a few weeks. Until then, check your own skin for any suspicious moles. Getting two moles removed today wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

Click here to enter my contest.

Pray For My Breast Friend Now

Deena is in surgery right now as I write this. Please keep her in your prayers during her recovery and healing.

Father, guide the surgeons hand and begin your miraculous healing of Deena in Jesus name. Go before her in recovery. I pray against any complications. Flood her surgery room with the peace that passes all understanding. Comfort her while she is in pain and show her your presence and guiding hand. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Cat's Love Christmas Too - Wordless Wednesday

Can you find the Kitty?
Did Gramma Jan really get me this ridiculous get-up?
Thanks for the new hide out. Where are you planning on putting the tree?
I'm all ready to be Santa's helper. Need any paper torn... or eaten?

Enter my Christmas Contest here.

Miracle Monday

Praise the LORD , O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD , O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalms 103: 1– 5

The Holy spirit is leading me to declare today Miracle Monday. Kristy Dykes, fellow writer, is having radiation on her brain today at 3:30 EST. Her husband Milton requests, “Please share the word with everyone who will join in prayer this Monday to eradicate through prayer that which cannot be killed by radiation.” Please stop whatever you are doing at this time and pray for her healing. God gave me the above verse for her- use it in your prayer. In addition to prayer, we are to praise God with singing and dancing for her life and the wondrous miracle he is going to perform.

My Breast Friend, Deena, is also going in for surgery on Wednesday, Dec 12^th. We are asking God for her miracle as well. Deena’s verse is Malachi 4:2 (below). We need to fast for Deena. If you can’t fast food, TV, soda, coffee, whatever the Lord brings to your mind. As you pray, picture her leaping like a calf, full of health and vigor.

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.

Malachi 4:2 (NIV)

We continue to praise God for eradicating our breast friend Kathi’s cancer; however, she still needs our prayers. She is back in the hospital with internal bleeding because of the extensive chemotherapy she’s endured over the past two years. Please pray for internal healing and restored strength.

“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,” declares the LORD

Jer. 30:17a

Please continue to lift up my breast family member, Sharon, who is still undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

Today was a very sombre day for us here in Colorado. Two shootings at churches and mission organizations we are familiar with. We actually live between the two locations. Several wounded are still in the hospital recovering. Please pray for their healing, both physically and emotionally. The New Life church, the largest in Colorado, has been through so much. Please pray for their congregation and pastoral staff.

The three victims were young adults, just getting started in life. Praise God, He received them instantly and they are singing His praises right now. However, there are three families grieving their loss today. What a terrible time to lose a loved one. Pray for comfort for these families.

God bless you for your participation in Miracle Monday.

If you are lead to pray for these women, please send them and email

or comment on their blog and let them know.

Breast Friend Update

Congratulations to my breast friend KO, whose biopsy is normal! Thank you Jesus!


Christian Glitter by www.christianglitter.com

Praying For Deena's Miracle
and her battle with Breast Cancer!
To visit Deena's blog, click here.

Still praising God for Kathi's miraculous healing and we are now praying for Deena, whose surgery is on Wednesday.

The Golden Compass Movie Review Part 2

The Golden Compass has created a ginormous controversy over the blogosphere and opinions have been all over the board. My initial short post back in October started getting daily hits when it turned up on Goggle. Therefore, I owe it to my readers to find out first hand why this movie is causing such a stir. Please understand, I haven’t read the books so this review is based solely on the movies content.

I tried to find a friend and fellow blogger who would be interested in taking a reviewers look at the movie. Even those with open schedules, weren’t interested in spending money on a film with such bad word of mouth. My DH wasn’t interested in spending more than the cost of one matinée ticket, so I set off to see this flick alone.

United Artists reserved two of its larger theaters for opening day, obviously expecting a crowd. There were only 13 in my theater at the 1:40 showing. Happily, there weren’t any children in the audience since this is not an appropriate movie for children due to its dark and violent content. It is definitely for an older audience of 13 and up.

I found the movie rather dull and even though there are some incredible aerial shots and imagery, the characters didn’t draw me in nor did they engage me. The only likable characters were Ulrich the bear and Sam Elliott’s character. I won't spoil what little plot this movie has, even though you can find out all about it online.

I also didn’t see any correlation between any of the characters and God or Jesus. This isn’t so much an anti-Christian movie as a pro Pagan. Daemons (pronounce Demon), witches and magic all promote paganism. The Catholic influence is minor and I didn’t even find it anti-Catholic.

The most disturbing part about the movie was each child’s daemon. Here is a quote from The Golden Compass Official website: “In Lyra’s world, a person’s soul lives on the outside of the body, in the form of a daemon –an animal spirit that accompanies them through life.

A child’s daemon can change shape assuming all the forms that a child’s potential inspires; but as a person ages, their daemon gradually settles into one form according to their character and nature.”

BTW - if you go to their site, you can take a survey to discover what animal your own personal daemon is.

Attempting to compare this movie to the Chronicles of Narnia movie is like comparing a ’72 Pinto to a ’08 Jag. There is no competition. Narnia is a 10 and I would be hard pressed to give this a 5. It’s just not that good, aside from the obvious Pagan slant. The ending is inconclusive, leaving questions unanswered. However, even that is not enough to get me to see part 2 of this ho-hum series.

Derogatory, hateful and argumentative posts will be deleted.

What to Get Your Wife For Christmas

1. $30 - Abalone Chandelier earrings from Silver Safari

2. $12- Starbuck's Green or Pink Glitter thermos mug

3. $199- Cherry wood jewelry case – JCPenny’s

4. Soft slippers with lots of padding and non skid soles

5. $10 – Camera case, black, Best Buy

6. $20 ea - Lennox serving fork, knife, spoon, cake server, Macy's

7. $5-$75 Chandelier Earrings 2” or longer – no longer than 4”

8. $39.99 Ipod clock radio JCPenny Catalog #X6839055

9. $99.99 Ipod speaker with surround sound, JCPenny #683-9015

10. Starbucks gift card

11. $10 - Josh Groben – Noel CD, Amazon

12. $10.39 - Searching For Spice by Megan DiMaria (Amazon- just click the button to the right on my blog)

13. $7-$12 Spiral bound journals

Please enter my contest by clicking here.

And Check out What Not To Get For Your Wife For Christmas here.