Your Faith Is Amazing

Last night I had a dream. It was both terrifying and beautiful all at once. How can these descriptive words end up in the same sentence? By Faith. By faith we can look at circumstances which cry out "DOOM AND GLOOM" and quiet our souls. Like a Mother to a newborn we can say to ourselves, "It's OK, everything WILL be OK." and somehow we know it will.

But the faith of this here Brooklyn Mommy does not hold a candle to to some people I love and have grown in awe of. The faith that my husband Joe has, for example, often has me floored, or as we like to slightly mispronounce it in "Brooklynese," "FLAWD!"

Here's my beautiful terrifying dream. Joey and I and our newborn are driving on a scenic tour through Jamaica or some breathtaking Island- maybe Fiji or somewhere in the Caribbean. From a far, we see the entire Island overtaken by the waves of the greenish sea and the people are screaming and crying for help.

The bus driver stops the bus on the highest mountainous part of the route and says something to the extent of, "Folks, THIS is where our ride ends. There is nothing we can do now." Joey and I and Baby Micah step off the bus, stand on the mountain, and are all in a husband-lead huddle quite terrified. I gaze upon my newborn with tears of grief knowing he'll never see the world I once grew to love and know.

The brightest noonday smile appears on Joey's face looking up to the sky, to God and to creation. With faith & joy greater than any I have ever seen, Joe says, "Guys, we're going to close our eyes now. We're going to wake up and we're going to see the Lord right now (face to face. In my dream, I felt at peace with going HOME to God, to Yeshua to my next life. But I could not take hold of letting go of this newborn babe God has so recently placed in my arms.

Holding the baby higher and higher towards the sky with my arms outstretched, the waves began to cover my waste, my shoulders, my face, until I could no longer save the baby boy. The reassuring thought came to me that Bella was home with family who would care for her. We all closed our eyes and went home, under the sea, over the rainbow and into the arms of a most Holy, loving God whose ways and thoughts we do not always understand. But we trust. We trust THAT life, the next life is better than this one- way better- with no crying, no tears, no injury, abuse, aids, violence and condemnation.

Waking up this morning, I told my husband that I think his faith is AMAZING. Of course, he humbly and jokingly berated himself, saying he'd probably be just as terrified. But I knew he was just trying to be humble and sweet and silly. Because I know Joe and I know he survived losing his first wife. And I know he has survived a great deal more with great faith ) even in hard times.

Yes, he's had his share of pity parties he's admitted to (like all of us). But they beauty of his walk with the Lord is that even those pity fits lead to  regret and repentance and a closer walk with God. (Romans 3:23 tells us that we all fall short of the glory of God.

That's why I ask the Lord today for faith that is amazing. Faith that is supernatural which does not come from within me but from the skies. (the heavenlies) I pray disaster not strike me before I have faith that is amazing. Will you pray that kind of radical prayer with me? Say it now with me if you dare, "Let not disaster strike me, before I have faith that is amazing and a passion in my relationship with you Lord."

Amen.

This blog was inspired by my loving husband, Joe Franco and his mother, Millie, who always stood out to me as a woman with faith that is amazing.

Love Mish

Does God care if I wear Red Shoes or Green?

Ok. I don't know about you! But I have ALWAYS wondered, "Does the Lord care whether I wear Red shoes or Green? I have attended LOTS of great Bible studies with balanced teachers who taught on the topic of God's guidance and attention to detail.

Let's face it! I know HE, the Creator, the Holy one has designed our planet, universe, world with unfathomable and awe inspiring detail.

I know the scripture says we belong to Him and are His sheep and that He can count every hair on our little heads. But what about the TINY seemingly unimportant details. Not to use the word "care" wrongly. I know God cares for us in every way. But does he wish to be part of the tiny decisions?

  

On one hand, I wanna answer you this way. "Come on folks! GET REAL! I seek God about my daily activities, decisions and attitudes. But when I hit my closet (as I am lucky enough to have a walk in closet now that I live in Nashville), I can't bare to ask God which shoes I should wear. I think it rather laughable. I'd worry about falling under the category of someone who is "so spiritually minded, they are no earthly good." In other words, someone who would spend an hour in the closet praying for God to show them which shoes to wear only to ignore the family God gave them to love and minister to.

On the other hand, my husband Joe made me second-guess myself tonight when I asked him this very question. Maybe God DOES care about which shoes we wear!! The REAL decision I was trying to make tonight was whether I should attend a Mother's (MOPS) group tomorrow or to stay home and rest. So the phrase I have been saying for years in my head pops out of my mouth and I said to Joe, "Joey, do you think God really cares about whether I wear the Red shoes or the Green?"

To which Joey replied, "SOMETIMES even details like which color shoes you wear could concern God. For example, what if you wear the Red shoes and they attract someone to you to come & talk. And because of that conversation, you get the opportunity to bless them with prayer or you get the opportunity to share your faith in Yeshua with them?"

DID I JUST SAY YESHUA while talking about SHOES? OK- I can hear the puns you are now creating in your head with me! But let's be serious for a moment.
Can we agree that sometimes, God does have a preference about the tiny seemingly unimportant details of our lives? 

LET'S PRAY NOW
Yeshua, I am no scholar so please forgive me if I've misunderstood your direction in my life. I ask you to make things plain to me with regard to the direction I am going. Like Moses said, I want to say now, "if you're presence does not go with me, I don't want to go at all." Help me to seek you for every decision of my life that might make a true and noticeable impact on others.

I love you and want my life to make a difference. I want  to be a blessing. Let me feel your peace as I make decisions that are good. And convict my soul when a decision is not the best one for me. I am completely filled with joy that I have a beautiful & loving God who loves and leads me like a little precious lamb. Thank you Lord for hearing this prayer for discernment. Amen. 

******************************************************************************************

SCRIPTURES I THOUGHT OF WHEN WRITING THIS:

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Luke 12:7)

I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go. (Isaiah 48:17)

The LORD wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent
and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.
He makes the clouds his chariot  (An excerpt from Pslam 104)

Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. (Psalm 100:3)

"If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" (Exodus 33:15-16, NIV).

ANOTHER GREAT ARTICLE TO CONSIDER READING
(it's about seeking God's presence)


Hope the argument I had with myself today inspires you to seek God in the tiny decisions especially where your decision will make a strong impact on others.
All my love, michelle

Bella's Birthday Party 5/2/10

We are like Postmen...

  "I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. For complete scripture, click here.

Blessings! Michelle Gold here. 

Today I got an email from a friend or fan of mine in Germany who I look up to a great deal. I was so impressed by the words of wisdom and encouragement he shared regarding making a difference and sharing a message as a friend or even as an artist . musician with a message of hope.  Just HAD to share it with you. 

I feel what he said is applicable to our lives as we sing for the Lord and draw His people to Him during a song or even after a concert. ENJOY this brief word...


".....Two people thanked me yesterday after praying the salvation prayer... And I thought, we are really like postmen: delivering a special registered mail, that requires a signature of acceptance and receipt! 

We have not paid their sins, gone all the way, most often we have only interceded some spare minutes etc etc our works are light and futile, useless slaves. But HE, He has taken the unmeasurable burden of all generations...I find no words powerful enough to describe...He has in His great love given us this glorious task to convey that good news and hand out and explain that glorious mail letter. Some will take it and open it and some will grow into joyous servants of the King."

12-step / Overcomer's Perspective:

All this postman talk is another reminder of how valuable you and I are to our God, the Lord. Also a reminder of how the work is done THROUGH HIM, His love and power, and by His RUACH HA KODESH (His Holy Spirit) and not through our own strength alone. All we have to do is show up and LOVE God and love His people and open our mouths to share. We can also pray for love when we don't have it. We have been posted by God. 

Messianic Perspective:

Jerusalem, my Jewish people need postmen like you and me to knock on the doors of their walls, their hearts! Many teach that my Jewish people are hopeless because we have turned away. Not tue. God is married to his chosen people.& has not rejected us who do not yet believe in Yeshua (Romans 11:1) We have NOT stumbled so as to fall "beyond recovery" or beyond believing, as some might teach. 

In fact, Sharing your message of Messiah to my people will make you rich in spirit. Some even teach that my Jewish people have an auto. pass to heaven without Messiah. Not true. Messiah gave his life as atonement for us ALL. So why not share the good news with your Jewish friends in love and with confidence? Just be a postman! **

Let's Pray:

Yeshua, Lord, I want to be a postman for you delivering your most wonderful message of hope. Give me urgency and excitement. Help me to not be silent and to not close my eyes no matter how I feel. Make me your messenger and peace ambassador. Amen.


***Short note to you who wants to be a postman today to your Jewish friend: Please note that contrary to popular opinion, a Jewish person CAN still be Jewish and believe in Yeshua (Jesus in Hebrew) . Yeshua Himself was Jewish and all the first believers were too! It's great to know that we like to call Jesus, "Messiah" or "Yeshua" because years ago, in the Holocaust, some killed in the name of Jesus. 

Thankfully, we are very certain that those people were not real believers because real believers would never kill! But because of this great tragedy, some of my people prefer the Hebrew name for Jesus (Yeshua), and prefer "Messiah" instead of "Christ." Same meaning, but more truthful to use the Hebrew names I think. 

Hope you are inspired. So please Mr/Mrs. Postman.... LOL

Feeling De-Valued?

Hey! I LOVE " blogging with you." Because I can be real and I can be myself. No reason I have to act like I have it all together, right? I am human. Though I have become a very confident woman and blessed by the Lord, I also have struggles like everyone else. Surprise! LOL! I know you are shocked right? You thought I had it all together now. (I do a bad job at sarcastic joking, dont I?) Thank you for listening to my *"mish-e-gas." LOL get it? I am so glad you are in my life.

I want to announce to you, my beloved friends and fans that during this Spring Season, more times than once, twice, etc, I ACTUALLY THOUGHT OF GIVING UP SINGING LIVE FOREVER! Planning to never minister live/ do another concert every again was something I was highly considering. I said it out loud numerous times and this seemed to be a REAL and heartfelt option. What should I say from here? I suffered with this decision as I prayed and asked my God, Does my voice really matter? Didn't I say or sing enough already? Is it over? My passion for singing left me.

But the more I pray today, the more I think of all the people I know and the people I don't know who are suffering. I remember now that God uses music and that music can be a very powerful tool to bring a message of hope, of healing and of salvation in ways that the spoken word is limited. I recall now "the meeting" I had with the Lord when I was just 8 years old and had thought about ending my life. A voice I heard in my head said, Michelle Gold, you cannot die. I have have a purpose for your life to sing and bring a message of hope to the world. I knew the thoughts were too mature to have come from my own heart. these words MUST have been from our God who loves us and has a plan for our lives.

Today, I ask God to renew the joy of my salvation. I ask Him to restore the joy of sharing the message which I have so passionately shared for over 11 years (just counting my years singing Spiritual music alone) in the U.S., El Salvador, Denmark and all over Europe and Israel.

So what happened? Being in Nashville, where everyone wants to be a star and everyone sings like Celine Dion and Ce Ce Winans, I got jaded. Beginning to unappreciate my gifts, I began to cast them aside. How am I valuable in this world?, I would ask myself. There are 90,000 other singers who sing about God's greatness so why me?

Today I know that I am valuable in God's Eyes. We must look at our lives, our selves, our gifts our beings THROUGH HEAVEN'S EYES! (Check out my favorite song from Prince of Egypt called Heaven's Eyes for the full message) I once had a vision of a candy store FILLED with chocolate bars! ooh! My favorite! It was revealed to me in a dream how all of those chocolates were so important. If we only had one, we would be sick of it soon. The variety of taste and richness fulfills us. So our gifts and talents also are important NO MATTER HOW MANY OTHERS EXIST! This vision I remember now and I realize how my existence matters.

12-Step Perspective or "spin": Just for today, I shall know that I am valuable to my God or higher power.  God does not make junk. We are His handywork. I will look at myself thru the eyes of a LOVING Father. I will speak to my spirit the way I speak to my little baby girl- with love, gentleness and great faith in her abilities.

Messianic Spin: the prophet Isaiah said to God's people like you and me:  (Chapter 62)

You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah (my delight is in her)
and your land Beulah (married or beautiful)
for the LORD will take delight in you...

PRAYER OF RESPONSE:
Oh my Adonai, my mighty God and loving Father, please imprint these words onto my heart- that I am loved by you, that I am your royal diadem and that you delight in me.
Remove the ugly words in my head that I say toward myself and help me to see myself and my gifts through heaven's eyes. May I NEVER throw away the gifts you have given me. That would be aweful and it would hurt your heart as much as seeing those I love throw their gifts and lives away. Fill me with your sense of purpose and restore the joy of my salvation. Amen.

* *Mi-she-gas. n. (pronounced mish-eh-GOSS). Also spelled mishegoss or mishegaas. Once again, Jewish people can’t agree on how to spell anything, such as Hannukah or Chanukah. Mishegas is a Yiddish word that literally means insanity or madness, but is more often used in a playful description of a wacky, kooky state of being. For example, "Mishegas of Motherhood" is intended to describe how children drive their parents crazy.

American Idol's "Big Mike" got saved, How about you?

Last night, on American Idol, one of the top contestants, Big Mike, who has a voice like Luther Vandross got booted off. (temporally, that is) With his great talent & his winning personality, you just knew he was bound to win. But there he was, in the bottom 3, the one how received the least amount of votes.

Did America forget to vote? It left us all feeling lost. Was all of his talent and personality worthless? I don’t think so!!!! We all knew he was born to win. He has class; he has heart and smooth vocals that can tame a lion. LOL!

Bottom line, the judges then gave him a free pass, which overruled all of America's votes or lack of. AND BIG MIKE WAS SAVED!!!!! You’ll see him on the show next week and he's bound to be a winner or at least make great music for us all.

A guy with a powerful voice- a new Dad, a man with a beautiful wife who cries for joy on TV when he wins and probably cries with love for him when he loses.

But what about you? Are you like Big Mike? Have you been overlooked by the world? Have you been unfairly forgotten? Has all the work you've been doing gone totally un-noticed? Do you feel scared about your future and family's security in this crazy economy? Do you feel lost?

Well, I was once like you. Then, Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah, came along and just like Big Mike, I GOT SAVED! Saved out of being sick and tired of my life, saved out of sorrow, saved from fear of my future (anxiety). And I was saved out of my biggest fear of all- the fear that God was far away.

I know now that Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah, gave his life for me and for you as an atonement for our wrongs, our sin our shame. He is never far away but lives in our hearts when we invite Him in. Believing in Him, the Jewish Savior of the world and of MY HEART, I have never been more happy. And as for my Judaism, I have never been more Jewish in my life than I am now by believing in the Jewish Messiah. I just prayed a simple humble prayer sincerely to allow him to lead my life.

Do you want to be saved? I want you to be saved. God is proposing to you. Will you say yes?

PRAY WITH ME:

Avinu Malchenu, my Father and King. I admit to you that I am lost without your love. I need to be saved. Come into my heart and be my leader and my friend. Be my Messiah. Replace my fear of the future with hope for tomorrow, replace my sorrow with joy and dancing. Thank you for writing my name in your book of life, heaven, forever. There is no greater joy than YOU.

Amen.

Further Reading for Believers:

Messianic Spin: Yeshua (Jesus in Hebrew) was born the Jewish Messiah and has come for His Jewish people and for every man world-wide. There is nothing more Jewish we can do that to believe. His mother's name (whom we call Mary) is really Miriam and He, the anointed One celebrated the Jewish Holidays and came to fulfill the law. Mathew, Mark, Luke and John were all Jewish believers and the first thousands of believers were all Jewish too! Cool! Huh?

12 Step / Over-comer's Spin: Without a higher power, we are all lost and live in fear. We do not need to live in fear. we can trust our higher power to care for us and to make us successful or to help us heal in times of failure or unrest. Step 2 talks about believing that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity. 

Seeking for our higher power to SAVE US from life's insanity or self-produced insanity iS WHAT HEALS US. When all others have let you down, why not let God save you? He is not a man that He should lie or cheat or steal hearts. He is awesome and loving and wants what is best for you.

WHY NOT MAKE MUSIC TOGETHER?

You have turned my sorrow into joyful dancing.

No longer am I sad and wearing sackcloth.

 I thank you from my heart, and I will never stop singing your praises,

 My LORD and my God. (Psalm 30:11-12)

It’s 4:40pm at the Gold-Franco house and Bella and I share something extremely special. Besides hugs and kisses and the regular day’s grueling schedule of being a Mom,  we STOP and MAKE MUSIC TOGETHER!!!           

Shaking the shakers in the air, Bella joins in by clicking her sticks. A few seconds later I hand her the my two blocks showing her the awesome rhythm they make. Then, the harmonica makes its sounds and before you know it, Bella and I are marching around the room singing and playing. I say to myself, “I cant believe I am marching around the room with a sinus infection and a headache the size of Brooklyn!" But we laugh and sing and supernatural strength comes over me when I see her joy!

This is the joy of music together. I’ll be teaching  a class this April in Nashville at the Green Hills Mall in TN. (Thursday afternoons) The class comes with 2 cds (one for the car, one for the house) jammed with phenomenal LIVE music for children with exotic tempos &  interesting melodies from all over the world, major and minor, and even some songs we all grew up with. It’s fascinating music to share.

12-STEP / OVERCOMER’S PERSCPECTIVE:

I sit on the couch now playing footsies with Bella. I wish every moment was like this. But it’s not. Sometimes she just cries and cries and wants to be held when I want a break. She tickles my toes and kisses one saying MMMMMMMMMMWA! LOL!  I am learning to ASK GOD FOR WHAT I NEED.  I need His SUPERNATURAL Power. 

Why not read the proverbs and psalms or scriptures everyday? His love and His word refresh us like a fountain pouring over us. Since becoming a Mom, I consider the Word of God medicine to my soul. I sit in bed with my coffee and my Bible. Without it, I tire, I have compassion fatigue and nothing within me sparkles with joy.

JEWISH AND MESSIANIC PERSPECTIVE:

I’m reminded of what I love most about my Jewish culture. When you are Jewish, it’s unheard of to have a celebration without a song and a dance. Davidic dancing, or dancing in a circle is something we do for fun and rejoicing. We sing and dance at weddings and at Shabbat Service on Saturdays. It is tasteful dancing, praising the creator of the universe and giving thanks.  (To check out FREE or affordable Israeli dance classes in your area, check out http://www.israelidance.com)

Though there are many bills to pay and miracles that I am awaiting, I forget all my worries and cares and remember what it means to come to the Lord like a child. Let’s learn to sing and dance and thank God even when things are not perfect.

LET'S PRAY:

Lord, I ask you for strength. Give me a heart of gratitude. Help me to sing and dance like a child. Let me experience your joy!!!

TO JOIN MY MUSIC TOGETHER CLASS THIS APRIL  (UNDER DIRECTOR,  KYM JOHNSON) 

OR GET MORE INFO, CLICK HERE: http://musiccitymusictogether.com.

New classes begin before April. Registration OPEN NOW! J see you there!