You Are My Safe Refuge

O God, listen to my cry!
    Hear my prayer!
2 From the ends of the earth,
    I cry to you for help
    when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock of safety,
3     for you are my safe refuge,
    a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
4 Let me live forever in your sanctuary,
    safe beneath the shelter of your wings!  
Psalm 61:1-4 NLV  


Are you feeling a bit frazzled?  Maybe I should say who hasn't been overwhelmed lately?  

These past weeks have been a whirlwind of overwhelming circumstances.  
- A sister got diagnosed with a brain aneurysm - awaiting results of brain angioplasty to determine next step....none of which are without great risk.  And the doctor said since two of my siblings have now had aneurysm's - all of the remaining siblings should be tested as their is a high probability of has having one.  (Not receiving this curse in my spirit) 

- A brother had a heart attack and had a stent put in.  His "widow maker" artery was 99% blocked! By God's grace, he's alive!!  He's only 2 years older than me. 

- Same brother's wife also had a heart attack and had stents put in and has to return for more stents in 30 days.

- A brother fell down some steps and broke his knee in half and the recovery/rehab will be long, painful and with chance of not a favorable outcome.

- Ken's father suddenly not well, went to ER and 5 day hospital stay with a serious blood infection (and still getting daily iv treatments) AND discovered a leaky heart valve awaiting doctor's visit for next step.

Ha ha!  (maybe I do look like this)

- Another sister - ongoing for 2.5 years rapid weight loss- still no diagnosis and is not able to eat much or drink more than 500 calories a day without painful side effects.  

- A brother in law with cancer and treatments are winding down.  

-I already told you this - but we have to move our stuff out of ladies basement and into storage and this weekend is the time.  It's not just moving it - we have to HEPA vacuum, wipe and spray with mold killer every box (and possibly it's contents) before we can load to store in storage unit.  The logistics surrounding all this has been intense.  

-You've heard this before - but Canyon, our dog, is still in decline.  Somedays I think I'm being selfish and keeping him alive way beyond his days.... and other days I think God will surely tell me like he has in the past when is the best time.  This is heart wrenching!!!

-Did I tell you our landlord selling the house - the sale fell through so new potential buyers came out this past weekend to look at it?  Up in the air on living situation too??? 

-Sleep deprivation is NOT my friend in all this!!! 

-Pain levels have been unbelievable.  

-Finances - we are learning daily manna!   (we still eat, have shelter and clothes on our back) 

-Hope deferred on our destiny - wondering when and sometimes if it's going to happen!  

There have been times these past couple weeks that I thought I should just check myself in somewhere or pack a bag and leave for a deserted island.  Not a bad idea? 

But God!  God is good!  He is faithful and He is our rock and our refuge!  How would we be effective at running a retreat/refuge if we hadn't had first hand experience in truly trusting God as our refuge, as our safe place!  None of this is for naught!  We realize that.  God has been taking us deeper and deeper into a relationship full of unwavering faith.  

There are so many people who are experiencing even greater trials than we are.  I am overwhelmed, to be honest, at how many faithful followers who are being tested to the limits.  I have a sense of God showing up soon to those who have been forged by fire.  Suddenly things are going to shift and become the most glorious testimony of God's goodness!  Watch & See!  

Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. Habakkuk 1:5

I read Streams in the Desert Devotional - and have often shared them with you.  Here's today.....speaking to me as usual!  I pray it encourages you as well.  Just yesterday a friend said as she was praying for me, the Lord gave her a vision of us standing in the valley and their were dark clouds above us.  But then she saw the clouds were lifting and we could see clearly.  

When the cloud tarried... then the children of Israel... journeyed not (Numbers 9:19).

This was the supreme test of obedience. It was comparatively easy to strike tents, when the fleecy folds of the cloud were slowly gathering from off the Tabernacle, and it floated majestically before the host. Change is always delightful; and there was excitement and interest in the route, the scenery, and the locality of the next halting-place. But, ah, the tarrying.

Then, however uninviting and sultry the location, however trying to flesh and blood, however irksome to the impatient disposition, however perilously exposed to danger -- there was no option but to remain encamped.

The Psalmist says, "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry." And what He did for the Old Testament saints He will do for believers throughout all ages. Still God often keeps us waiting. Face to face with threatening foes, in the midst of alarms, encircled by perils, beneath the impending rock. May we not go? Is it not time to strike our tents? Have we not suffered to the point of utter collapse? May we not exchange the glare and heat for green pastures and still waters?

There is no answer. The cloud tarries, and we must remain, though sure of manna, rock-water, shelter, and defense. God never keeps us at post without assuring us of His presence, and sending us daily supplies.

Wait, young man, do not be in a hurry to make a change! Minister, remain at your post! Until the cloud clearly moves, you must tarry. Wait, then, thy Lord's good pleasure! He will be in plenty of time! 
--Daily Devotional Commentary

An hour of waiting!

Yet there seems such need
To reach that spot sublime!
I long to reach them--but I long far more
To trust HIS time!
"Sit still, my daughter"--
Yet the heathen die,
They perish while I stay!
I long to reach them--but I long far more
To trust HIS way!
'Tis good to get,
'Tis good indeed to give!
Yet is it better still--
O'er breadth, thro' length, down length, up height,
To trust HIS will!
--F. M. N.

Thank YOU so much for your ongoing support, prayers, love and care for us and our ministry.  We are honored to be able to pray for those who reach out to us.  Please let me know if you have any prayer needs.   For those who have been reaching out, thank you!  I am praying for your requests.  

If you have been blessed by this ministry or feel led to support what God is doing through us - financially, below are a few options.  Your generosity and your prayer support is greatly appreciated and needed as we continue to walk in faith and God's calling. 

Megablessings  - 

Ken & Michele Cole

http://www.wantinsight.com

michele@wantinsight.com, ken@wantinsight.com

Tax deductible & non tax deductible donations can be made: 

1.  Checks made payable to Sonlit Fields, PO Box 371, El Dorado Springs, MO 64744 or if you prefer anonymous giving - you can give through our Donor Fund 

2.  Non tax deductible donations can be made directly to us by:  THIS IS THE FASTEST WAY TO GET MONEY TO US FOR DAILY USE. 

 Paypal - www.paypal.com  (michele@wantinsight.com) 

3. Donor Fund - Contact National Christian Foundation - Ken & Michele Cole - Want InSight Fund -   Tax deductible 

    7171 W. 95th Street, Suite 501

Overland Park, KS 66212

    Phone: 913.310.0279

    Fax: 913.227.0254     www.nationalchristian.com 

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.  

Fire Affects Power Throughout Entire Town

"But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21:36

Wow!  Did we ever have a scare today.  Maybe a trial run of things that may take place in the near future.  Today our little town experienced great excitement.  Not the kind that is good.  We even made KY3 news!

Our electrical substation caught fire, reason unknown at this time.  The entire town was without power.  The hospital was contacting all the patients relatives and asking which nearby hospital would they like their family member transferred to.  Businesses closed down, employees sent home but managers stayed behind to watch over the stores.  Fire departments from neighboring towns (20-25 miles away) came to help with putting out the fire.  The initial talk was that we could of been without power for days or even a week.  No one seemed to know that our little town had a 2nd substation!   It was just recently built.  Praise God!!!  It only took a few hours to get the fire out and power gradually restored through the town.  Whew!   

But......

What if your power went down with no definitive time it would be restored? Are you prepared?  Do you have a back up generator?  Do you have food & water that can be eaten without cooking or at least be able to cook over a fire?  Do you have emergency supplies such as flashlights, extra batteries, candles, etc?  

In 2009, the Lord in a vision showed me that we may experience a time in the future where the USA would be without power, complete blackout for a period of time. He showed me that the first maybe 3 months would be similar to "Little House on the Prairie days"... and then upgrade to "Andy Griffith days".  When I was in prayer about what He was showing me, He had us watch all of these old shows but with "spiritual eyes".  What we saw with a spiritual sense was community, family living together, neighbors coming together to help when others had trouble of some sorts.  The town was in unity.  The town came together for gatherings, church and crisis.  They made not of had power or the luxuries we have today, but they had each other and that's what mattered most.  I feel God is wanting to restore this country backed to it's biblical roots and back into deep, authentic relationships.  It may just take a catastrophic event for us to get our eyes opened!  I pray not.  

One of the main reasons God moved us was to build a retreat/refuge property with what we feel an end goal is long term refuge for what may come to America.  We intend to be completely self sustaining & off the grid.  When crisis strikes as we got a taste of today, the more confident we are in the mission God is giving us AND the more ready we are for us to be able to get things started...... we just need God's provision for this vision!   (vision at bottom of this post). 

I have recently reached out to our general contractor, architect, project manager, engineers and others to solidify the vision and goals we are anticipating.  We are continuing to trust God and believe that He is bringing the provision.  There have been sooooooooo many confirmations!!  Recently I had a dream that we were on the "property" and that I had a hard hat on with a pen & paper in hand.  There were at least 15 contractors in front of me.  One said that everything was approved to begin (that would mean that the State of MO had accepted the engineers plans & the lodging license was granted).   Another had said that ALL funds were in so we could proceed as planned.  When I woke up and sat with the Lord, I asked Him what that all meant.  He said to me:  it's coming, fast & furious.  I then heard, Non stop ACTION & mind blowing SPEED and then this verse popped in my head.

Amos 9:13-15The Message 

13-15 “Yes indeed, it won’t be long now.”God’s Decree.

“Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won’t be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once—and everywhere you look, blessings! Blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills. I’ll make everything right again for my people Israel:

“They’ll rebuild their ruined cities.

They’ll plant vineyards and drink good wine.

They’ll work their gardens and eat fresh vegetables.

And I’ll plant them, plant them on their own land.

They’ll never again be uprooted from the land I’ve given them.”

God, your God, says so.

At the end of August, the Lord spoke to me that September would be a month to remember. So far I can't say anything has happened that would make me think that..... but it's not over yet.  Maybe on Thursday, something BIG will happen as it's my birthday!  What a great gift that would be!  

Are you ready? Would you be able to live indefinitely without power?  I know I would not be excited about that possibility!  EMP?  Terrorist attacks? Martial Law? Catastrophic weather ? Anything could happen!  But God.........

Please continue to pray for:
Ken - Find work that would provide for us completely & grace to continue working at Dollar General until such time.
Me - Health - sleep, pain in low back & right leg/knee loss of range of motion.  
Us - Daily provision & provision for the vision of Sonlit Fields. 
Ministry - Divine appointments to minister & teach & equip.

Bless YOU.  Thank you for caring for us, praying for us and standing with us!  If there is anything you need prayer for, please let us know.  We are happy to!!!

If you have been blessed by this ministry or feel led to support what God is doing through us - financially, below are a few options.  Your generosity and your prayer support is greatly appreciated and needed as we continue to walk in faith and God's calling. 

Megablessings  - 

Ken & Michele Cole

http://www.wantinsight.com

michele@wantinsight.com, ken@wantinsight.com

Tax deductible & non tax deductible donations can be made: 

1.  Checks made payable to Sonlit Fields, PO Box 371, El Dorado Springs, MO 64744 or if you prefer anonymous giving - you can give through our Donor Fund 

2.  Non tax deductible donations can be made directly to us by:  THIS IS THE FASTEST WAY TO GET MONEY TO US FOR DAILY USE. 

 Paypal - www.paypal.com  (michele@wantinsight.com) 

3. Donor Fund - Contact National Christian Foundation - Ken & Michele Cole - Want InSight Fund - We will be changing the name in the near future.   Tax deductible 

    706 North Lindenwood Drive

    Olathe, KS 66062

    Phone: 913.310.0279

    Fax: 913.227.0254     www.nationalchristian.com 

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 30-50 private cabins with kitchens & full bathrooms, screened in porches 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, 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 more help them be ready to serve in their church. 

In our community building - we will have a 24/7 (eventually)  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 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.  

Copyright © 2016, Michele A. Cole  All rights reserved.  Only with expressed written permission will these posts be allowed to be duplicated, copied or transmitted.