The Battle

I look down at my combat gear and see the white dress dirty, tattered, torn, drenched in my tears and blood stains from the battle.  My boots are covered in mud and full of holes.  The soles are down to bear threads and my sword is dull from all of the hours and hours of yielding it against my enemies.

I am sitting bent over exhausted from the onslaught of one attack after another, realizing it has been days since I have had time to rest!  Yet, my soul cries out in deep anguish for those still in enemy territory unable to fight on their own.

Lord, renew my strength so I can return to the front lines, I pray!

He gently takes my hand in His and guides me to HIS resting place.  He reminds me that this battle is His and the assignment has gone to someone else today.  It is time for refreshing in order to return to the battle he has commanded me to fight.

I take off my boots and begin to gently clean my swollen, bloody feet.  I dip my hands in the stream beside me and watch blood and dirt trickle away into the stream.  I gently pat the deep gashes on my face with the cool water.  It is all so refreshing!

Thank you Lord for reminding me to rest and retreat from the battles that are not mine and to remember I need renewed and refreshed to keep fighting my assigned battles.

I am forever,

Your Beloved Warrior Bride

Why Beloved Warrior Bride!

Why Beloved Warrior Bride:

My Ezekiel 2 & 3 Calling!

Many many many years ago the Lord put the call of Ezekiel 2 and 3 on my heart.  He told me I was called to a stubborn and obstinate people.  Those not unlike the Israelites who, although experienced miracle after miracle, still continued to turn their face from the Lord.  I was called to a place of briers and thorns.( I moved to Tucson in 1999 from Ohio).  I quickly found that I was and can be stubborn and obstinate.  The Lord led me to learn more about myself during this transition while helping others like me in the process!

Upon my arrival in Tucson, I was immediately connected to a dynamic group of women who loved to pray and worship.  We became know as forerunners and watchman on the wall as we pounded the heavens in fasting and prayer on behalf of our families and other women!  We prayed, cried, laughed, had visions and dreams and waited upon the Lord! The Lord taught us to take putting on the Armor of God seriously!  We became Warriors !  We battled on behalf of those experiencing regret, loss, shame, brokenness and other lies of the enemy! This is where I became a Warrior Woman for the Lord!!! This season ended and a new one began.

LAMb International USA was birthed:  

Lambinternational.blogspot.com; www.Lambinternational.org or Lamb International USA on FB.)

 LAMb International was birthed in 2002 out of a desire to teach, train and assist lay leaders and pastors in the work of the ministry and help widows and orphans.  My husband Don, along with my sister Ruby and brother in law Lynn came together and began our teaching and training ministry.
LAMb International grew and today LAMb has charitable status in Canada and the United States.  LAMb has Ministered and Trained individuals in over 30 countries.

My Husband

My husband and I were actively involved in the ministry together.  We not only ministered together, but spent all of our time together aside from Ministry.   In May of 2013 he passed away and with him went a huge part of my identity. I walked around in a daze for over a year. Although we had talked about death many times and were as prepared as we could be for it, I still did not know how to be complete without him.  We were high school sweethearts and had been married for 33 years.  I found it hard to know who I was without him at my side.  I stayed with my kids and grandkids and traveled with our Ministry trying to distract myself with doing.  Finally, the Lord very firmly told me I needed to go home and deal with my grief.  Wow!  I was good at stuffing feelings, but when I got home all the grief and pain came flooding out like a tsunami.  I spent days crying and walking from one end of the house to the other in a fog.  Depression started to set in and loneliness like I had never felt before took over quickly and violently.  I slowly began to realize that the more I prayed, cried and worshipped, the more healing was coming!  I gave myself permission to grieve and grieve I did!

The ups and downs of my grief journey continued and the end of 2014 I journaled the following:

December 13, 2014:  Journal Entry

Proverbs 18:14-16(NIV)

"The Human Spirit can endure in sickness,
But a crushed spirit who can bear.
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,
the ears of the wise seek it out!
A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers
him into the presence of the great"

Make way for the Gift!!!  The Lord was telling me to make way for the gift, seek it out and allow myself to be ushered into HIS presence!

I wondered how I was going to make way for the gift and His presence when I was still struggling with who I was as a widowed women!

The answer began unfolding three days later:

December 16, 2014: Journal Entry

Hosea 2:16a : "And it shall be in that day, that you shall call me ISHI(my husband)"  The Lord went on to give me part of the Song of Solomon 3:4 that says, "I have found the one whom my soul loves."  I saw myself in a white dress as the Lord took my hand and began leading me as a  Bridegroom leads His beloved Bride. Wow, HIS Bride!

I spent a few months researching, praying and even purchasing a ring with the inscription on it in Hebrew and English, ""I am my beloved's and He is mine"!  

I have walked through many ups and downs since that day, but am here today to say, I am HIS Beloved Warrior Bride!


Thus the name of the blog!


His Beloved Warrior Bride,

Johanna