Ecclesiastes 3:7 A time to be silent and a time to speak. This verse is pretty interesting in several ways....
I pray this when praying for others or self for wisdom in how to minister to have a difficult conversation.. Lord give them/me the words to speak and silences to keep.
I pray this just in general - so that I don't mince my words or babble on and on (now that last part doesn't always stop me, lol)
Years ago, I felt the Lord leading me to write this blog in general and to be transparent in my/our walk. He wanted me to express the ups and downs of the journey He has us on. Sharing about my health, the financial needs, the destiny He has for us and other things as He led.
I've always been a "wear" everything on my sleeve kind of person. I'm real. I'm authentic and I definitely say what's on my mind most of the time. There isn't much people don't know.. (maybe a few private things).
I have learned much about being transparent and sharing things... some good and some not so good.
Maybe the biggest thing is the resolve and intentionality of staying focused on what GOD speaks to us vs what man's opinion is. Believe me, that's been a big challenge. I now truly grasp what Bruce Wilkinson wrote in his book "The Dream Giver" - about Border Bullies. There are people well intentioned or not who get offended or hurt if you don't follow their advice. For example (not relating to our vision) - I had someone tell me that if I didn't follow their "health protocol" which was hundreds of dollars a month in supplements, that there would be no way I could ever be healed. I loved the product they offered and use some of them periodically, but I did not feel the Lord leading that nor providing for that. If God leads, He meets the need!
Back in the late 80's after Ken and I got back from our honeymoon, my step mother said to me. Something has changed in you two. You are more mature. She said "your father and I are here to provide any advice you may want, but it's up to you to decide if its applicable to apply to your situation or circumstances". She went on to say that we would know the right direction if we were in unity and followed our gut (which now I feel means the Holy Spirit's leading). That was profound and has stuck with us all these years. We love advice, but not forced on us. We do seek a multitude of counselors who are involved with us on a regular basis... we ask, listen and then seek the Lord to determine what we ought to do. And years ago, the Lord showed us that Ken and I being in unity was key.
We have been told that we must be missing God's will and direction because things are so hard. Look at those God used in the Bible - were their lives easy? Ha! I truly believe the Lord leads us very specifically and we really can't derail His plan for our lives unless we choose to blatantly be disobedient, but even then, that's questionable. Check these verses out!
“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2
The LORD of Heaven’s Armies has spoken— who can change his plans? When his hand is raised, who can stop him?” Isaiah 14:27
If you've known us for a while you would know that if we believe we've heard God, we are obedient. I cannot tell you how many people have made comments to us about our obedience and faith. Now I don't say that arrogantly....but it's the walk God has placed us on and we so desire to please God and live for God daily. It doesn't always make sense to us or others... and that's where learning when to speak and when to be silent is essential. I guess like Joseph sharing his dream with his brothers - we too shared the vision God has for us - maybe prematurely - maybe not - but it has cost us - and for me the greatest cost has been relationships have severed. I have to choose to trust God and that He has brought the separation for a reason. But I don't have to like it!
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With all this being said... I haven't blogged for the last two months in obedience. I feel God has got me/us in a season of just being quiet... and allowing Him to do what He wants to do. I also feel it's His protection. Honestly, we are weary, wounded but healing and desperately awaiting His promises too manifest. Many are! We are trusting Him day by day and often moment by moment.
We love and appreciate all of you who love us right where we are at. We are so thankful for the prayer support and those that sow into us financially as led by the Lord. Those are precious gifts we covet (not the money) but the support of who we are and our walk with the Lord. Our prayer needs remain the same, health, daily need, car issues and provision to step into destiny... Thank YOU for helping to hold our arms up during this extended wilderness season.
Blessings -
I will say that God has blessed us with an increase in people attending our small group. We have a new couple who are just barely weeks clean from meth addiction and salvation...and others, this brings us renewed purpose here...to be used to help disciple and mentor and equip to be used mightily by the Lord. Praise God! One of them has asked us to baptize them... in Stockton Lake - that's a stretch for me cuz "THERE ARE SNAKES IN LAKES". LOL!!! We have 2 people who literally drive back and forth from KC to come to our group too. That's a huge honor to continue to sow into their lives as well.
I'm also thankful that God has given Ken a small raise and a few more hours at his job. He got promoted to a manager position. Every little bit helps.
Oh and another big PRAISE - I received a package in the mail from Amazon a few weeks back. I had no idea who sent it. It was some natural sleeping pills called U Dream. About a week after I got it (I had not taken any yet) a friend asked me if I got her package... so then I felt ok to take the pills. They are working! I have tired everything under the sun for years to get sleep. These pills actually give me 6 solid hours of sleep. God is good. So trusting He will provide for me to continue with them.
Our church has asked us to do a "gourmet cooking class". They are starting a new summer series on food.... so one class is cooking desserts, two weeks later another on grilling and smoking and then two weeks later for us we will do 2 classes on gourmet. So planning a small feast for about 20 people there... kind of a stretch of our comfort zone... but excited to do it.
One more prayer request - My sister Lianne Abare was in the Linwood KS F4 Tornado. She was about a block or two from the very destructive and violent part but did get some serious damage. A big tree landed on our house, broke through the roof, limbs coming through. She had window damage, porch & awning damage, ceilings, carpet, etc. God sent some amazing people the first few days to do some emergency repair/fix... She has NO insurance because it's an older mobile home. She has probably an additional 10k in repairs that need to be done. If you feel led, PayPal.me/lianneabare. We are praising God the storm didn't reach her direct. She would of been dead being in the mobile home. Others homes completely flattened. So sad!
LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN PRAY FOR YOU!
Blessings,
Michele Cole
michele@wantinsight.com
We are thankful and blessed by those of you who support us financially from time to time. Would you please pray for us to have consistent, regular donors to help fund what God is doing in us and through us? Any amount is truly a gift from the Lord. Thank YOU!
Here are three ways you can give:
1. Non tax deductible donations can be made to:
Ken & Michele Cole, PO Box 371, El Dorado Springs, MO 64744.
This is the only way currently we can use funds for our personal needs at this time. or through PayPal.Me/micheleacole
2. Tax deductible options:
Checks payable to Sonlit Fields, PO Box 371, El Dorado Springs, MO 64744
This goes into our ministry account to be used for outreach and saving towards our vision.
Donor Fund - The Signatry - Ken & Michele Cole - listed under Want InSight Fund.
7171 W 95th Street, Suite 501, Overland Park, KS 66212
Phone 913 310 0279
www.thesignatry,com
This is an option to keep gifts anonymous - again for outreach and savings toward our vision.
Vision
God has given us a vision to build a retreat property along with ministry equipping center.
The retreat portion of our ministry is to provide a safe place for pastors, lay leaders & other ministry folks to come and be refreshed & encouraged through prophetic ministry (if wanted). We will offer private cabins with kitchens & full bathrooms, and plenty of places to roam on the property to get quiet with the Lord.
We will offer other specialty retreats - marriage, healing, prophetic teaching & activating people into the world & health and wellness retreats and more.
The Lord has graced us with the desire to come alongside the Church - to bring healing, deliverance & freedom to new/newer believers. We are not wanting to replace their church, but better help them be ready to serve in their church.
In our community building - we will eventually have a 24/7 prayer room, healing & prophetic rooms and a place for community worship services for those on the property.
Our passion is to minister to a lost & hurting world. To equip the saints to do the same and to be a blessing to our community and surrounding areas. Our hopes are that we can pour out God's love in a mighty way to bring more and more souls into the Kingdom, get them discipled, called into their purpose & destiny and released to do God's business!!!! We also have a passion to give generously to help those in need and to help others launch into their God given destinies.
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