Back in March of last year I remember finding myself setting in the graveyard and I wrote a blog titled Pruning & Grace. Little did I know that was just the beginning of the pruning process. I will share the link to that blog below, but I had no clue that 2024 would bring a complete unraveling of many things in my life. I have truly had to endure the season of crushing and to think that it's not even over with yet. 

The Reflection: The Father has had me in a time of reflection recently where I have sat and looked back on all the past few seasons that have led up to where I am currently at now. Not in a time of wanting to go back to the past but mostly in just reflecting back and seeing all the places where He was so very present along the way and to see just how far He has carried me. I am so thankful for even the hard things because it has helped me see the areas where I needed Him the most as well as grow me spiritually and be fully dependent on Him. Even though my heart is saddened about some things as I reminisce about the sweet memories of past family, friendships, and other connections that have been lost along the way or where they couldn't go where He has and is taking me and my family. It's a very bittersweet feeling and if I would have told myself years back that I would be where I am right now, I don't think I would have believed me and I'm sure I will say the same thing again down the road. One thing is for sure life has its way of throwing you curve balls and it pretty much never goes the way you think it's going to go. Ever. 

I've often times wondered why Jesus didn't start his ministry until he was about 30 years old. After all he was Jesus. But then it wasn't until recently that I understood why. In Ecclesiastes 3 it speaks of the different seasons of life but in verse one it says, 'There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven— '  I also go back to when he told his disciples in John 7:6 that he was not yet ready to be unveiled and even prior to that in John chapter 2 where he tells his mother, Mary, when she wanted him to do something about the wine running out at the wedding but then decides it was time to step into the next level of his ministry by performing a miracle and proceeds to turn the water into wine. He knew things would change from that day forward. He was going to his next level in his ministry. And he knew it was time to step into what he was being prepared for all along. And he knew from that day forward things would never be the same. 

*Before reading please know this is a collective word for the body as a whole and yes I am also speaking to myself lol*There are many of us who have stepped out of His rest. Some of the collective lessons being learned right now in the body is the power of our words and what it means to truly love one another and to be in unity. The church (collectively) is divided, and a house divided will fall (Matthew 12:25). The Father's heart has been grieved. We are also seeing a divine separating because just as the enemy divides so does the Lord. A separating from the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:30) and the sheep from the goats and in some cases the sheep from the sheep (Matthew 25:32). The enemy also has people being in a state of offense where he is twisting, manipulating, and making things out to be what it's not. This is why it is so important to take everything to the Lord in prayer. There are a lot of things that are going on underneath the surface that many cannot see in the carnal. One tactic the enemy has tried to use is lack in connection, community, and discipleship. As well as unhealed wounds. Therefore, causing a lack in trust. If we don't know our fellow brethren and take time to get to really know each other even outside of the four walls of the church and to support each other than how do we expect to flourish and grow as the body and as a family? Would you be in the same household with the same people for years and yet continue to act like strangers? Granted sadly there are some that do. But that is not God's intention. The Acts church was built on faith, love, discipleship, community, and connection and most importantly family with God being the foundation (the solid Rock). As I continue to witness life around me, I am seeing more and more of the love of many growing colder and colder. (Matthew 24:12)We are in a dismantling season church. Where the Lord is tearing down to rebuild. And we have to come to a place of complete surrender and learn to let go what we feel we know and choose to have faith and to rest in the Father despite what it may look like. If there is anything I do know, it's to hold firm to our faith, keep our eyes souly focused on Jesus, and be obedient to whatever it is that He has called us to do. You have got to silence the voice of the enemy and all other voices but the Father's and take time to seek Him in what it is that you should be doing in this season and not others. There are so many with so many amazing gifts and talents that the Father has given you that are just lying dormant that He wants to bring back to life. I keep hearing Him say tell them to pick it back up again! So many have laid things down because of hope deferred or because they listened to the wrong voices. Beloved, He is saying Now is the time! You were created for such a time as this. Some of you even have gifts that you have not even fully used because you have had trouble discerning them. He said don't worry the midwives are coming and some are already in place but He's about to activate them to help you birth what He put inside you to birth! Beloved, fear is a liar! Don't be afraid of the shifting that is currently taking place. Anger is a sign of fear. Proverbs 16:32 (TPT) Do you want to be a mighty warrior? It’s better to be known as one who is patient and slow to anger. Do you want to conquer a city? Rule over your temper before you attempt to rule a city. There are many in fear because they feel like they maybe being replaced or moved out or being dismissed and maybe even overlooked but the Lord says my child do not fear and have faith! Listen, He still has a place for everyone of His children. Now is the time to set with Him and ask Him, Father where do YOU want me to be in this season? Do I need to be in a different role or position? Do I need to take time to be still and know? Do I need to take a sabbath and spend time just getting refilled, restored, and being with family? Whatever the place He does have one for you to be in. Some are in fear due to change because He is removing your comfortability. DO NOT take what is happening around you at face value. DIG DEEPER and ask Holy Spirit to show you what is really going on beneath the surface in this season no matter where you are. He wants to take you Higher! He is getting ready to cut the umbilical cord for some where we have been in a time of nurturing, but you are about to be released because it's time to grow and mature! (1 Corinthians 13:11-12)This was a long word but I just feel it shut up in my bones and so much that I feel He wants released. As always take everything to Him in prayer! Test the spirit. It's vital we each personally know what season we are walking in because every person's season is different. Know who you are (Your His), Have Faith (Walk in it), Trust Him (Do not fear), Forgive & Love one another and be united! Rest in Him! Be blessed in the Lord! - Bridget

As I spent time with Abba this morning on my front porch, I noticed how silent it was. All of a sudden, the birds began to sing what seemed to be all at once in beautiful alignment and I heard the Lord say I am giving my children a new song, I am placing a new song inside of you and it will be as sweet as honey is to your lips. And my focus was attentive to the birds and their singing. Then I heard Him say, " I am doing a new thing! Tell my children!"

The counterfeit is produced when our actions come from a place of just wanting to be seen and heard and seek validation and acceptance from others when Jesus says I am enough, and I am all that you need. He hears and sees you. It is produced when the unhealed wounds from our past try to speak shame and condemnation and then become our persona. We begin to wear a mask of steal refusing to show any vulnerability and truth to others. Or in some cases we wear masks of pride, arrogance, being full of wisdom or knowledge, and always wanting to be right. We tend to look like we got it all together when others may continuously wear a mask of pain. If our heart is not in connection with His but continuously placed on self and trying to remain hidden behind the mask than it becomes "strange fire".

It has been a while since I last posted a blog. Every time I would set down to write, it would be hard for me to get anything out. But recently I have felt a major shifting in direction and for the first time in a long time I felt like I needed to document it. So here it goes...

Just wanted to take some time to share some of what's recently been on my heart. I have used social media as a ministering and communication tool for the last 12 years or maybe longer. In the beginning I didn't always do that and tended to share more so out of my flesh but then as I grew in my relationship with the Father I was more led to keep my posts more focused on Him and the Kingdom. But here recently I have felt a shifting in this area. I can't help but feel that God is changing some things not just for myself but for the bride of Christ as a whole. I know that God can use any and all things for our good and for His Glory (Especially social media because it can reach millions and it is a great way to stay connected) BUT I do think He is calling His Bride higher in this season so we can rise above all the noise and chaos the enemy has been creating. In doing so I believe this is a call to pull back from the distractions and to be more present with Him and with our families and the people that He has aligned us with in this season. He wants us more present and, in the moment, even in the church. I have actually felt this for a while now and it wasn't until recently through others that I felt the further confirmation but have had the hardest time pulling back because I think it's the feelings of not remaining in the loop or feeling disconnected or better yet the people pleasing guilt that I still need deliverance from. And because I have struggled in this area the most, I know then that I am hearing right. Covid caused many of us to run to livestreams and staying more behind a screen. I feel God wants us to break free from that. He wants us to be more in person. I also believe He is changing some of the ways many of us have ministered over the years. I believe He is drawing many of us to more intimate gatherings where He is the soul focus of the meetings as well as doing communion together. It is in those places that I like to call "around the table" (figure of speech) where new revelation is being poured out as well as being in the secret place with Him in our personal one on one times with Him. The enemy has used social media/media in general to steal time, to use others who have monitoring spirits attached to them to monitor others even unintentionally to report back to the enemy, it has caused added extra spiritual warfare that was just unnecessary for us, it has caused us to lack in growth of wisdom, it has caused wounds or anxiety that create open doors for the enemy to come in leaving us vulnerable and the time we can take to heal from those wounds to be set free, it has caused many of us to get a distorted view of things and even others at times. It has even allowed us to have a spirit of fear when it comes to listening to all the wrong things. Just because it was released by a popular minister or ministry doesn't mean it was truly released by God. This is why it is so important that we come to know our Father's heart, His true character, and who we are as His children and not have the orphan mindset. I hear the Lord saying stop listening to all the noise and just keep your focus set on me. It's very vital. 

I am one blessed mama to be given the privilege to see my oldest (Will) growing in His relationship with the Lord. I am not a perfect parent and don't claim to be. I always pray that God will help me in the areas I need help in when parenting my children and I tend to doubt myself a lot but when moments like these happen it reminds me of just how faithful our God is and that we serve a good good Father that we can trust Him especially even in the areas where I may lack and to know that they are in good hands and that He has them. We worshipped all the way to church this morning and he (Will) was the one that led it even if it was in the car. There have been times where I would lack in faith but my children did not and they would speak life right back into me when it was needed. I am so thankful for my boys and I look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for them but more importantly how much they will have an impact on the world and those around them for the Kingdom #blessed #beautifulreminders

I was standing, as a child, in a garden that had a cut pathway. Up ahead on the pathway I could see Jesus but his back was turned to me as He was tending to the flowers in the garden but He knew I was there. He turned around as quickly as I saw Him He faced me and opened His arms with the biggest smile. We exchanged conversation without saying a physical word. I took off running in excitement to see my Abba! As I ran to Him down the pathway I grew from being a child to an adult and He rapped His arms around me. I was home again. It was the best feeling in the world. He reminded me who I was. I am His!

Holy Spirit has given me this to share. So here it goes..... That spirit of religion is causing so many to wear garments that isn't even theirs to wear and it is also not only causing others to wear them but it's causing fellow brothers and sisters to place these garments on others unintentionally. Garments of shame, garments of unworthiness, garments of unrighteousness, garments of confusion, garments of heaviness, garments of condemnation, and garments of strife. God has shown this to me and has had me to walk through it for myself to learn this valuable hard lesson. And I'm still learning. It's time people learn to quit receiving these garments as well as wearing them. Not only that but to stop placing them onto others. Until we are healed and we step fully into sonship and knowing our true identities as a child of God and allow God to help us walk out from under that spirit of religion and unravel us as well as to continue to let our wounds go unhealed and undealt with than we will continue to wear these old robes and we will continue to place these old robes onto others. I will say it again old wineskins will not be able to carry the new wine. And sooo many refuse to allow God to deal with the mess and the pain in their own lives and in doing so continue to wear these masks having that underlining spirit of pride and control. It's ok to show yourself broken not only infront of Yahweh but infront of others especially your brothers and sisters. I don't care who you are or how long you've been in ministry or what your title is. Or even how long you have been a Christian. I don't care what anyone says people are not always strong or unbreakable. I feel like so many try so hard to do things from a place of self even unintentionally at times (including myself) instead of letting God be God. They try to control and manipulate others in the process. We try to do His job for Him. I hate to break it to you but God doesn't need our help. He never has. It's because of the love He has for us that he does include us and wants to. There are so many that are preaching messages that don't even realize that the messages they have been given are specifically messages given to them personally by God and not even meant to even be preached to a congregation. Sometimes they feel if they preach it to the congregation, it makes them feel a little better about themselves. I feel led to share that some need to quit going into the quiet place just to receive a word or a message for their church. Instead go in only having the goal to just spend time with your Father! Go vulnerable and broken before Him and let Him heal you in the areas that need to be healed, let Him pour into you, and the rest will follow. There will be overflow. I feel led to share that some of you God has brought you to a place where you need to sit down from being in ministry and take time to just be in the secret place with Him to rest and to heal and allow God to do a work in and through you but you refuse to do so by forcing yourself in places you have no business being in still. Doing so, you are now operating out from under His covering. Because of that there is no grace and things will feel forced and even dead. Some of you He has also spoken things to you that have been so clear but you refuse to accept it or receive it because you don't like change or transition because it's uncomfortable. No matter what the old door will close whether you are ready for it or not.

As we close the door to 2023 and prepare to step over the threshold into 2024 I feel led to tell everyone to get ready. We are about to go into something we've never experienced before in previous years. 2024 will be a turbulent year for many. One filled with acceleration and anticipation. Jesus is on the threshing floor. He is preparing His bride. What we will experience individually will have a lot to do with how we have positioned ourselves in the previous year(s). Knowing the Father's heart and being able to hear His voice will matter tremendously. We are about to come into a time of chaos but He will be the peace in the chaos. It will be a time of the good mixed in with the bad. The spirit of religion won't stand. He will tear down all of the idols in each person's life and anything that was not built by Him will not be left standing. If it can be shaken it will be shaken. For those who are rooted in Him, seeking Him, established on the Rock, and who have learned how to rest IN Him will not be shaken and will not be moved by the dismantling. The remnant will shine with a light so bright that it can't and won't be hidden. Make no mistake about it He will pour out heaven's treasures that have been stored up for His children for such a time as this to help them in the midst of what is to come. I sat the last 2 days and have cried feeling an overwhelming sense of love the Father has for His children and yet grieving for everyone at the same time for what is to come. Some will come back to the fold while others will continue to reject Him following in their own ways.