A PERILOUS JOURNEY

 This was written November 20, 1997 by me to our church family... I share it with you now as the message is timeless, and wish for you a most wonderful and grateful Thanksgiving celebration.


  Dear Family in Christ:
 

I wonder what the first pilgrim’s where thinking as they crossed the vast ocean ...from a place that they knew and were familiar with, to a distant land of uncertainty.  As they looked out over the deck of the ship, it’s as if I can almost hear one of them speaking to God saying:

“Father, I’m a pilgrim far from the world I once knew. 

  One of coldness and oppression, which tried to keep me far from you.
  I have left that world behind to follow your command
  To venture out to a place unknown .. to reach the “Promised Land. 
  Father, you’re the one who holds the keys to life and liberty. 
  Please hold my hand as I press on, trusting your love as I cross this sea.”

What were they feeling... these pilgrims that left the old behind?  What were they thinking?  Were they like you and me?  What perils they had to endure and what challenges they were yet to encounter.  Leaving the old behind for a dream.. a vision of  liberty to worship their God openly and freely. 

 

As they looked out onto the endless ocean, did they ever think about the story of Peter.. and how you bid him out of the boat (the familiar place of comfort and safety) and called him to do the impossible.  Did they look at the waves of circumstances of what might be before them and feel like they could never walk on water with you, Jesus?  Or did they know that you would be there to constantly lift them up when they felt like they were going to drown?

When stormy waves lashed against the sides of their ship, where they comforted as they remembered the one who spoke to the storms and said “Peace, be still”.   Did you speak deeply into their hearts and encourage them that no matter what they would be going through, or whatever they would encounter... you would be there to hear their cry, and you would answer.

These men, women and children of destiny were very much like the Israelites that left Egypt weren’t they, Lord?  They were some of the original “BRAVEHEARTS”  blazing a trail for us.  Thank you Lord, for empowering them with boldness and assurance by your  Holy Spirit to defy the odds, and to endure difficulty.  Lord, make us like them.  Instill in our hearts such a thankfulness of the gift that you gave in your Son, Jesus... that we  would be willing to grapple with the unknown and overcome adversity.

After such a difficult first year in their new world, the pilgrims must have been over-whelmingly thankful just to be alive at that first Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving in America has always been about life, both spiritually and physically.

Let us give thanks this year for life.  LA CHAIM is a Hebrew word that means “To Life”.   The Jewish people click their glasses together as they say:  “La Chaim”, remembering, and praising  God’s goodness.

Thank you, Lord for life. Thank you most of all for our spiritual life, the greatest gift of all, our relationship with Jesus. We celebrate your grace upon our lives this Thanks-giving.  May we take that life and live it to the fullest, and help us to give our lives to others.  Help us to realize we are not an island, you created us to be community and family and to share whatever gifts and talents you have given to us with others.  

I hope thanking God is the supreme joy of your life.  God is not only the object of our affection, but He is our source for everything. Psalm 16:11 says: "Thou dost show me the path of life, in thy presence there is fullness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures forevermore".  Thank you Lord, for showing us the path of life.  Our joy is in YOU.  Your gifts and love are forever.

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING DEAREST ONES

YOU ARE LOVED!

Pastor Donna 1997

Heart To Heart Christian Church

AUTUMN INVIGORATING!

THIS WAS BACK IN 2006, BUT I JUST POSTED IT HERE

AS I THINK IT IS SUCH A BLESSING AND A NOW WORD

FOR US ALL TO RECEIVE...I SENT IT OUT AS AN EMAIL

WITH MY FRIENDS PERMISSION IN 2006!! She is also in 

ministry and we have such history together ... Thank the Lord for friends with history ... they are so comforting and they understand us .. we don't have to try to explain ourselves or clarify who we are because the KNOW us ... I so love the fact that my heavenly Father KNOWS me!

Hi My Friends!

I know that many of you have not heard from me in a long long time.. I am trying to play catch up with you!! But, also wanted to share my excitement of what I feel is happening this Fall!!

 AUTUMN INVIGORATING!

My favorite time of year is Autumn!! I just come alive during that time... I am so excited that Autumn is here.  At this time of the year my heart begins to long for the mountains.. the trees and foliage showing God in His Splendor just does something so invigorating in my spirit!!!  This year in particular our Father seems to be doing something particularly special in His children, and I pray precious ones, that you will capture the fresh wind of His Spirit this Fall too.

I was online the other night with a friend from Sri Lanka, and was trying to explain to her how I was feeling and wanted to share the im with you.  I have had some quality time to reflect recently. I love you all dearly and hope you will grab hold of the wonderful thing God is doing!  Also, below is an absolutely beautiful clip about autumn... just click on to the website for the show... it is really very beautiful... thinking of you and sending hugs and kisses my friends and family. May God bless you richly this season and always.

 http://www.inspiringthots.net/movie/aut-display.php

Donna (9/30/2006 2:24:44 AM):You know my friend, in my own life and the people i have been ministering to it is like there is a fresh wind of the spirit that is blowing i can't explain it

Donna (9/30/2006 2:26:44 AM): the only way i can explain it is like being on the top of a mountain in the fall seeing all the splendor of the leaves changing colors and they are dressed up in God's glory... orange, and gold and burgundy and shades of green and rust and amber etc.. and the smell of the crisp cold air and the wind is intoxicating..

Donna (9/30/2006 2:27:23 AM): and your heart wants to sing.. and you are feeling so close to God and His presence is so right there

Donna (9/30/2006 2:28:08 AM): and He is blowing away some stuff that we don't need in our lives and in our hearts and His breath is breathing in something new and fresh and awesome

Donna (9/30/2006 2:28:15 AM): like that

Donna (9/30/2006 2:29:12 AM): new hope .. new purpose... new anointing... new plans... new focus... the old is going and behold He is doing something new

Donna (9/30/2006 2:29:49 AM): new excitement ... new goals.. new vision.. new songs... we will be seeing new miracles

Friend (9/30/2006 2:29:59 AM): hmm yes I can picture that and I can also picture God blowing the unnessecery things away

Donna (9/30/2006 2:30:21 AM): yes honey.. how true .. God seems to blowing away the chaff!!!

Donna (9/30/2006 2:30:32 AM): you are an amazing woman

Friend (9/30/2006 2:30:35 AM): he blows old things away to give new things to us that are more needed and useful

Donna (9/30/2006 2:30:44 AM): i love you dearly sweet friend,

Donna (9/30/2006 2:31:08 AM): and yes, yes... thank you that was a word from the Lord for ME personally too “he blows old things away to give new things to us that are more needed and useful

Donna (9/30/2006 2:31:11 AM): ty

Friend (9/30/2006 2:31:15 AM): I love you too Dons ... and am blessed too

Praying for each one of you that this Autumn God will blow upon you the wind of His spirit and will bring new victory in every area of your lives, new hope, purpose and direction, creative ways to accomplish goals, new vision, new songs, new abundance, new relationships, prosperity, scrumptious color into your world ...blessings and miracles !!!!!


From my heart to yours,

Rev. Donna Trexler/Geertz

©Invigorating Autumn  October 2, 2006c
Please do not copy without permission

Oasis Ministries

donnatrex@yahoo.com

Remember:  Winners make things happen, mediocre people let things happen, and losers say "What happened?"

I AM LIFTING YOU

I AM LIFTING YOU   

COME INTO MY PRESENCE
WHERE SIN CANNOT STAND

I am lifting you …
I am lifting you above you circumstances.
I am lifting you, Beloved … to HIGHER GROUND!

I am lifting your head that has been hung low,
your body that has been weary of well –doing,
and your heavy heart, awaiting the fulfillment of promises.
I am lifting you out of the muck, mire and slippery rocks,
and I am placing you upon
THE SOLID ROCK… (His name is Jesus)!

I am lifting you into My presence where there is          
FULLNESS OF JOY…
into a NEW DEPTH and DIMENSION OF ME!
so lift ADAMENT PRAISES UNTO MY NAME
and no longer walk as MEN.

For, I am calling you to a higher place of understanding,          
past discernment, and beyond human reasoning.
I am bringing you out of doubt, disbelief,
and faithlessness … into MY fullness!
no longer will your past failures cause you to walk as
underachievers, My precious Ones …
for I am calling you to be victorious overcomers.           

The cycle is broken,
no longer will you be as a hamster on a wheel
climbing to the top, barely viewing the
Promised Land,                        
only to plummet back down to the valley again.

I desire to set you free …
yes, even from the wheels of your own making.
allow Me to break self- imposed limitations off of you,
and you will go forth into the Land I have for you …
seeing from My wider vision and perspective.

No longer will you walk in shame from previous
shunning, rejection and rebukes.
I AM the Glory and the LIFTER of YOUR HEAD!
I have placed within you, My incorruptible seed
my good seed which will multiply and bear MUCH FRUIT.

Come into My presence my child,
and allow Me to envelope you in My cloud of Glory …
I desire to wash you, and cleanse your heart from all iniquity.
let Me LIFT YOU and set you free …
IN THE GLORY OF MY PRESENCE!

HEART TO HEART CREATIONS
Word given by the Holy Spirit 4/17/96
to:  Rev. Donna Trexler Heart to Heart Christian Church
Summerville, SC


Donna/Donsie

donnatrex@yahoo.com