Four Voices

Aug 1

When was the last time that you talked to God?

Perhaps you spoke with Him this morning … or last Sunday … or maybe just a minute or two ago.

For some folks, it’s been years since they took the time to talk with the One who created them and loves them enough to die for them.

I hope that you are in the wonderful habit of conversing with the Father on a daily … or hourly … or even on a continual basis!

I can guarantee you that He is longing to hear your voice and that He hangs on every single word that you speak in His presence.

I was thinking about the intimate yet powerful conversations that I have had with the Father over the years – and I realized that I have four voices in which I speak with Him.

Four voices.

Four distinct manners in which I approach His loving arms.

Perhaps as I share with you the four tones of my intentional prayer life – you will find your voice as well.

First of all – I often find myself whispering to Him.

I whisper.

I whisper when I am broken and when I am weak.

I whisper when I am in awe and when I am in wonder of who He is.

I whisper when my love for Him is so deep that I am overwhelmed in His presence.

“Jesus,” – the whisper is pure and heartfelt.

The whisper is sincere.

“O Lord, they sought You in distress; they could only whisper a prayer.” – Isaiah 26:16

Isn’t it wonderful to know that He hears even a whisper?!

I whisper.

Secondly – I come to Him with a song.

I sing my way into His presence.

The joy in my heart just can’t be contained and the sound that rises up from deep within me is a certain melody.

I sing my praises and I sing my questions.

I sing my thanks and I sing my wonderings.

I sing my requests and I sing His Word back to Him.

I sing other places but there is no place where my song is so sure, so beautiful and so unforgettable as in His presence.

“I will sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with me.” – Psalm 13:6

I sing.

The third manner in which I come to Him is with a roar!

A loud … intentional … hard to ignore … relentless … consuming ROAR!

I roar when I am angry with the enemy of my soul

I roar when I am outraged by the injustice in the world.

I roar when I am viciously fighting for someone I love.

I roar so that every power and principality in darkness will be intimidated by the power that resides within me.

I roar to remind myself that the Lion of Judah goes before me and that I follow in His footsteps.

“The young lions roar after their prey and seek their food from God.” – Psalm 104:21

I roar.

And finally, I shout!

I shout aloud with the voice of victory!

I shout the praise of the Father!

I shout in admiration of those who have gone before me and have faithfully served the One who shed His blood.

I shout for joy at the possibilities that a new day brings.

I shout in celebration of the life I have been given!

I shout in anticipation of the goodness that is coming my way!

I shout in the storm and I shout in the fire!

I shout in the spring and I shout in the winter!

I shout in lack and I shout in plenty!

“Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shoutfor joy, all you who are upright in heart.” – Psalm 32:11

I shout!!

Thanks for listening to my heart this week. As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me. And, it continues to be a heart that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is!

Carol McLeod

Carol says, “I am just a girl who is head over heels in love with Jesus ... passionately addicted to His Word ... and find all of the joy that I need in time spent in His presence." Carol is a Christmas-aholic, loves ACC basketball and the beach! Like all menopausal women, she is overly fond of chocolate and enjoys a good read. She doesn't like cleaning her house and is an expert in carry-out dinners. She hates to shop … loves to jog … and somehow finds time in her busy life to hang out with small children. She is the kind of woman that you could laugh with over lunch, cry with over disappointment and shout with over a victory! But … if you need her official bio … read on! Carol is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. She also hosts highly successful Just Joy! outreaches. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN. A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers. Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain. She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY. Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren! Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN. A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers. Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain. She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY. Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren!

Four Voices

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