Climbing Out Of The Clutches Of Sorrow

Date: 12-13-2024

Today my assignment from the Lord, during the Christmas season, is to break off every chain keeping you locked in the clutches of torment and torture of what USED TO BE. 

It’s time to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. It’s time to really celebrate. It's time to get excited about the Christmas season like you did before you were hurt… before your pain… before you were grieving…

Today is a bittersweet day for our family. Twenty-two years ago, our family was presented with an opportunity to find a NEW NORMAL. We didn’t want a new normal. The old normal was working just fine, but we were given the opportunity anyway. My father, Travis Bryan, would have said something like this:

“Now Missy, don’t you dare go out to that cemetery crying and carrying on over me when I’m gone. Don’t bring me nuttin’.  No flowers. Nuttin’, you hear me. I’ll be gone and I won’t know anything about it anyway. Promise me you’ll live your life.”

Words you think are just words…UNTIL.

Batten Down The Hatches

10-21-2024 

Upon waking this morning, I heard the Lord whisper “Batten down the hatches” as He reminded me of a specific journal entry I wrote towards the beginning of this year. I feel led to share it with you now. 

I hear the Lord say, “It’s time to batten down the hatches.” 

It’s time to prepare for pending trouble. The Navy used the phrase first during the 19th century, as the crew was instructed by the captain of the ship to batten down the hatches when they entered rough seas. The crew would close all the hatches (doors), with canvas using battens (wooden rods) to secure the hatches in the closed position so that the waters couldn’t sink the ship. 

There is a storm coming…and it’s time to batten down the hatches…. It’s time to get prepared. 

The trouble you are encountering today is just beginning. Yes, you’re going THROUGH a storm, but you have to go through RAIN to get to the beautiful RAINBOW. Your RAINBOW is coming. My Promise is coming to you because  My Word will not return void. 

Southern Sisters 2 - Lazarus’ Dirty Laundry

Date: 10-15-2024

So many times I hear people say, I’d like to go back… Back in time when things were simpler. When time moved at a slower pace. When people were different. When they enjoyed the time it took to get to know one another on an old porch swing. When a handshake was better than a signature on a contract. When a person’s word was as good as done. Before you heard, “Take a number and we’ll be right with you.” Before automated answering systems. Before big development. Before the hustle and bustle. Before the rat race. Before the constant ticking of the clock. Let’s go back in time to Winter Garden, Florida in the late 1950’s as told to me by THE SISTERS seated around that Sunday night dinner table.  

Winter Garden was very different back in the day. Everyone knew everyone, and no matter who you were, you felt like a local celebrity. Of course there were the founding families: the Ropers, the Reams, the Dunaways, and others; but no matter who you were you were greeted with a down home smile and the warmest Southern charm melting even the hardest of hearts. 

Close your eyes for just a moment. Take a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. Do you smell it? The intoxicating fragrance of orange blossoms fluttering through your bedroom window as you drift off to dreamland. Do you feel it? The cool, refreshing lake breeze flapping through the curtains on a sweltering Autumn night. Do you hear it? The clamorous cheers of the crowd as the Lakeview Red Devils score another touchdown against the Apopka Blue Darters taking their victory by force.  

Long before the West Orange Bike Trail was a twinkle in a commissioner’s eye, there was a working railroad that came whistling down Plant Street called the Orange Belt Railroad. The churning vibration of the locomotive carried the precious cargo of our destiny. Of our dreams. As the conductor called out, “All Aboard!” it signaled the cadence of our continuous neverending faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We walk by faith and not by sight. Father, we will chase after You evermore marching in lockstep momentum pressing towards the mark. 

My grandparents, Jesse and Beulah, marched to His momentum from the hills of Tennessee to the sumptuous land of citrus looking for a better life for a family of ten: my grandparents, their seven children, and my maternal great-grandfather, Pa Cummings. They found a place to live and a small business all rolled into one; as they settled into a mom and pop storefront with an attached home on the corner of Story Road and Coke Street in the heart of Burches’ Quarters. Yes you may remember it. During the 1940s-1960s, our family owned the old Bradley Market that burned to the ground a few years ago. 

The Stinking Stench Of Skunk Mentality 

Date: 9-30-2024

I awoke again today to another distant memory, actually two thoughts from long ago, and one phrase from the Lord, “The stinking stench of skunk mentality”. Okay, Lord, what does all of this mean??? Both memories were from my time living in Nashville, Tennessee, so it is necessary for me to give you the full context of why I moved away because it’s important to this word. 

The context….

You’re never quite prepared for how quickly your world can change in a split second. There honestly isn’t a word that adequately describes the rollercoaster of emotions you feel. You’re simply left to pick up all the broken pieces and salvage what little is left of your heart in the aftermath of the tornado of torment. My world turned upside down when my Superman was killed in an auto accident in December of 2002. 

I had been working with my parents in the family insurance business, and my mom and I tried to keep it afloat for as long as possible without him. We made it a little over two years. 

Running a small business is challenging enough as it is, but add to that the pressures of grief, and tempers fly. To add even more tension, there were three hurricanes that blew across the state our last full fiscal year of business. Most everyone in our entire book of business had some sort of damage that needed our attention so our workloads were  overflowing like a tidal wave. Working around the clock, we just took breaks to sleep or go to church, and then return to the office. It was brutal!

One Friday in November, I had had enough. I left the office. I was just done… Needing a break, I couldn’t take one more thing. Long story short, I drove up to Nashville, and returned as a Tennessee homeowner. Maybe a move would help? I didn’t know what else to do. I had tried everything. 

Somehow I thought a change of geography would stop all the emotions I was shoveling through. It didn’t. I repeat, it didn't. All I changed was my address. I packed up every single shattered piece of my broken heart and put it on that Pod just like the rest of my personal effects. Every emotion. Every memory. Everything went right with me to Tennessee.  

Southern Sisters: The One About The Ferns

Date: 9-27-2024

Over the years, I’ve been asked to divulge the past conversations I was privy to sitting around the Sunday night dinner table with THE SISTERS after church. Yes folks, that would be my mother and her sisters.  I was blessed to be able to overhear them recount so many family stories, and it’s my honor to share them with you. So by popular request, THIS, my friends and family, is a compilation of some of those conversations and a few of our shenanigans over the years. I’ll call this one the story of Bettie, Lila, and the ferns. 

There once were two southern sisters armed with a pickaxe and a shovel about to commit the most harrowing and heinous highway robbery of the most incredibly majestic ferns they had ever seen in their entire lives. I would like to stress that I was violently held hostage against my own will from these two deadly and dangerous criminals who forced me to be their getaway driver at gunpoint. 

I’m jumping ahead of the story. Let me start in the beginning.  

My mama was born in a shotgun house called the ‘ole home place up on the ridge in the outskirts of the ‘Burg in the great Volunteer State of Tennessee. Born to Beulah Josephine and Jesse Theodore, she is one of seven kids. Now my mother would argue that she’s from Winter Garden, Florida since they relocated as a family when she was six years old.  However, I enjoy stirring the pot to point out the obvious on her birth certificate. 

Finding Your Feet

Date: 9-24-2024 

Upon waking each day, the Lord usually drops something in my spirit. Today, it was a distant memory from years ago. A memory of change. An About Face. A complete turnaround. A brand new direction. A time when my life had a significant elevation shift. 

Trying to find my feet in a new place, a new house, and experiencing new challenges, I wanted to do everything on my own. That’s what finding your feet is all about, right? It was time I found my independence and did everything for myself. No matter how well you had been taken care of previously, THIS was a matter of pride…. A matter of strength… A matter of willpower. I will become my own adult, whoever that girl is supposed to be…. 

With all of the recent changes, I had decided to add something else to the mix… LEARNING how to landscape my new courtyard transforming it into my very own outdoor oasis. Something a pampered little princess had no business trying to do on her own without the help of Google and a team of professionals. 

I took a gigantic leap off the ledge at Lowes and bought everything in one shopping spree to fill the entire courtyard: a Crape Myrtle tree (yes, a tree, go big or go home), eight shrubs, perennials (four  knockout rose topiaries, a large hibiscus and a peony), and annuals with all the beauty and colors of the season. This was quite a task for a Florida girl who thought it would be finished in a day. 

Shining Light of Illumination

Date: 9-17-2024 

Mat 5:14-16 AMP

14 “You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.

I hear the Lord say, “You carry ALL of My Light. My illumination. You carry My Ambient Light shining brightly throughout the atmosphere. You carry My Task Light giving you specific solutions to uncover mysteries of My Kingdom. You carry My Accent Light to deposit My beauty, joy, and loving kindness wherever you go.”

I Am illuminating EVERYTHING for you. You will have the eyes to see and the ears to hear My Spirit. Absolutely nothing will remain in darkness. People will see My Glory through your actions and reactions to the changing seasons of life. You are My Glory Carrier. 

I will NOT take this GIFT back. It’s yours forever. It’s the gift of revelation. It’s knowledge. It’s wisdom. It’s understanding. It’s seeing Me like you never have before. It’s seeing My Power and Might at a greater level. It’s reading My Word and breathing in the holy fire of My Presence. 

Unveiled Face 

Date 9-11-2024 

Mark 4:22 AMP

For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been kept secret, but that it would come to light [that is, things are hidden only temporarily, until the appropriate time comes for them to be known].

I hear the Lord say, “My divine time has come. I am uncovering your eyes to see what I’ve kept secret all along. You will know the hidden mysteries of My Kingdom for I am bringing darkness to light. You’ve endured the suffering of Patmos, a place where you chose to die to your mortal flesh, giving up everything not of Me to walk in the Spirit.”

You operate in greater revelation than you ever thought possible. I am making the impossible your reality because of your faithfulness to Me. You have remained pure through every persecution all the while praying to see others the way I see them. 

You’ve endured more affliction than most could stand producing a greater level of determination, character, and hope. I’ve watched as your faith propelled you over every hurdle, never allowing the thorn in your flesh to fester. Oh, it hurt. At times, it was excruciating torture, almost too much to bear. You faced the onslaught of attacks because of your adoration of Me. Yet even still, you obediently followed Me standing firm in My Love poured out on your heart worshiping in spite of your circumstances. 

2 Cor 3:18 ESV

18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

There are blessings bestowed on you for your unending love for Me as you have unlimited access to My Throne Room. Prepare, with an unveiled face, to be transformed from glory to glory as you see Me revealed in all My Splendor. You are drenched in divine discernment, clarity, and revelation knowledge for the days ahead.  

I hear the Lord say, “I Am Your Warrior God and I Am shattering the ceiling that has shoveled discouragement, despair, and dread on you in enormous heaps of hurt. You are going to come face to face with My fear and holy reverence in greater ways than you have ever imagined or thought possible. You are going to walk through your Red Sea with shock and awe at My Greatness, Might, and Power. I Am delivering you.” 

I Am Yahweh, and I hear your cries. I hear you through the sobs and brokenness, “Yahweh, Yahweh, I can’t take it anymore. I need you, oh Lord, how I need you. Every second of every hour, I need you. I feel Your Presence as I pursue Your purpose. I am chasing after You with everything I have, but the attacks are too much. It hurts, Lord. It hurts.”

Take a deep breath. 

You have been covered all along. 

You have been protected all along.

You have been sheltered by My Presence all along. 

Now watch My Promises shower down on the other side of Your Red Sea. 

I Am El Gibbor.

I Am Your Warrior.

I Am Your Strong Tower.

I Am Your Defense.

I Am Everything you need. 

I Am That I Am.

Who Do You Say I Am?

I hear the Lord say, “Where is your faith? In man or in Me? Who do you say I am?”

I know you’re at a place of transition. 

You are at the end of your wilderness, but not quite to the Promised Land. 

You’re tired.

You’re weary. 

You can see it. 

You can feel it. 

You know there’s a shower of blessings about to rain down on you. 

Who do you say I am? 

You’ve seen it for yourself - a land overflowing with milk and honey and My abundant provision. I allowed you to spy out the land to see how blessed you are. This is YOUR Promised Land, and I have promised it to you.

Now, who do you say I am? 

Are you like Joshua and Caleb or are you like all the rest? 

Are you so focused on the giants that you’ve forgotten where you’re seated?

Who do you say I am? 

Settling Into Due Season

Date 6-12-2024

I am moving for you RIGHT NOW.  

The shaking is over.

The shifting is over. 

It’s time to settle into your due season. 

Some things are long overdue. You have believed and you have sought Me for breakthrough. I heard your every prayer. I wiped every one of your tears. 

There was purpose in the waiting. 

There was purpose in the waiting. 

I need you to hear Me, there was purpose in the waiting. I needed to know you trusted Me more than anything. I needed to know I Am your everything. I needed to know I will always be first. 

My perfect time for everything has arrived. 

I shook all of hell to shift you into the exact place for abundant overflow. Now My overflow has arrived. 

I am pouring out My Abundant Blessings over you. 

I am pouring out My Awesome Breakthrough over you. 

I am pouring out My Supernatural Faith and Favor over you. 

The shaking was never meant to break you but to build you. 

Let Me say that again…. The shaking was never meant to break you but to build you. I have broken off everything and built a Mighty Warrior ready to fight every battle. Continue to follow after Me. Continue to chase after Me, because we’re in this together. 

I have measured you against My Plumb Line and you passed, and now watch Me break every gate and bar standing in your way. Stand ready for battle. I will give you the instructions. Follow after Me. Follow after the plans I give you, and you will come out as pure gold every time. 

The Stirring Of A New Season

Date: 5-24-2024

I deserve this. 

It’s my lot in life. 

I am unlovable. 

It’s been too long, and I am just barely hanging on. 

THIS is all I have, and THIS is the best it’s ever going to be. 

I am doomed to a life of despair. 

I hear the Lord say, “I am stirring the waters as a sign that your miracle is on the way. Do you see it? Do you feel it? You are worth it! I love you, and you matter to Me! Your healing matters. Your heart matters. Your freedom matters. Shake off the chains because the waters are stirring. You matter to Me. Your miracle is HERE.”

I know it’s been a long time. I know you’ve felt like THIS would never end, but the end is in sight. It’s your turnaround season. The waters are stirring. 

Do you recognize the sign? Your miracle is HERE. Your complete turnaround is HERE. Do you see it? 

Do you want to be made whole? 

Do you want to be healed? 

Do you want wholeness? 

You’ve Already Won

Date 5-16-2024

You are My Mighty Warrior. 

You are My Mighty Warrior. 

Did you hear Me? 

I said YOU ARE My Mighty Warrior. 

Why are you so afraid? Why are you in hiding? I know you’ve been running from darkness and despair. I know you've been hiding out in the hallowed out caves and caverns coping as best you can. I know you hear the alarm. Every time you think you’re going to be accepted, there’s another siren shrieking YOU ARE IN DANGER! ALERT! DANGER UP AHEAD! ALERT! Another attack is underway. 

The attacks have become so frequent it feels like it’s your norm. 

Isn’t that why you’re here? In the winepress, threshing wheat? You’re in a hiding place trying to hold onto what you have. You’ve been pillaged and plundered, and you’ve prayed for a MIRACLE and I AM HERE. 

MOUNTAIN MOVING MULTIPLICATION

5-2-2024

Dream again.

Believe Again.

Receive Again.

I am sending MOUNTAIN MOVING MULTIPLICATION to change your atmosphere. The climate is changing. Do you feel it? Do you see it? It’s coming your way. 

My Power is in you…fighting for you… 

MayDay MayDay: Awake O Sleeper

5-1-2024

I hear the Lord say, “MayDay MayDay, It’s time to awake O sleeper. The Holy Spirit has been lying dormant in you long enough. It’s time to wake up from your sleep. It’s time to wake up. Do you hear the resounding alarm? It’s almost deafening. I AM calling My Prodigals home. It’s time to awaken and come home.”

Your gifts are still there, because I do not take away your giftings. I placed them there when you were formed in your mother’s womb. I placed them there, and there’s still more gifts to come. So awake O sleeper, rise from your sleep.”

THE COUNTDOWN TO CARMEL

4-30-2024

Five. Four. Three. Two. One. It’s time. It’s your Kairos time RIGHT NOW. No more waiting. No more wondering. It’s time to muster the courage to move to Mount Carmel. 

The drought is over. I hear the sound of an abundance of rain. Yes, it’s taken time for My Purpose to be performed. It’s taken time for the tides to dry to dust. It’s taken time for the current of crops to wither away to nothingness. Yes, it’s taken time. The sobs streamed down like a flood. Like a flood, I raised up a standard. My Word will not return void. I made a covenant that is coming to pass at Carmel.

ON THE CUSP

4-8-2024

The coiling of the serpent suffocates you. The contamination of secret sin ensnares you.  You’re caught with a colossal longing to break loose. 

The enemy delights in the cable-tow coiled around your crushed collar forcing you to kowtow to his encumbrances. He rejoices as you retreat further and further into the recesses of darkness with the noose around your neck.  

But that’s not all…

YOU’VE ONLY SCRATCHED THE SURFACE

3-27-2024

So many of you are at the place of stretching… A place of birthing… Of travail…

Lord, I am at a loss. I don’t know what to do. I’ve been dealing with THIS for so long, and there’s no end in sight.  Time is ticking away, but the answers seem delayed. 

I crave more of You. I just want You. 

Nothing more, nothing less, just You completely to myself. 

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

3-20-2024

Forgiveness…something you desperately crave but never want to give. You’ve held on too long. Yes you. 

I’ve placed the conviction in your heart and you’ve heard that still small voice say time and time again, “It’s time. It’s time to forgive.” But you hold onto the pain. You hold on to the regret. To misery. 

SOS: REPAIRER OF THE BREACH

3-12-2024

I sense many in the spirit are in a place of urgency. It’s like you’re sending out a distress signal. A supernatural SOS is going up in the spirit realm as a sign to the Almighty God that it’s time to Save Our Souls.