Catherine Brown's Vision: Bluebirds, New Orleans, and the Harvest Nets

September 16, 2005

Catherine Brown's Vision: Bluebirds, New Orleans, and the Harvest Nets
Catherine Brown
One Million Hours of Praise
www.millionhoursofpraise.com
 

As I prayed recently for the United States of America, specifically for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, I had a vision of tiny blue birds carrying nets in their beaks as they flew towards the South in America. The Lord was directing their movements, as He spearheaded this Kingdom convoy.

One might ask, "What do blue birds and nets have to do with Hurricane Katrina?" It is a reasonable question. It is my belief that when the Lord desires for us to understand a divinely coded message, He speaks to us with signs and symbols that as individuals, we are able to interpret and comprehend. A blue bird represents the promise of happiness to me. A net speaks of harvest, and the blue birds are a sign of Jesus coming to visit the south with His beautiful, manifest presence to rebuild shattered lives and harvest many souls in the coming months and years. Help from Heaven is on its way.

I was once given a prophetic word about having a blue bird on my shoulder. I thought this quaint and wasn't too sure if this was really God speaking to me or not. As I pondered this word, I thought of the song lyrics "there's a blue bird on my shoulder" and started to smile quietly.

On returning home from receiving this word, our daughter Rebecca (7 at that time) handed me a little gift that our children had made for me during my day trip to Ireland. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the blue, cardboard bird mounted on a straw, stuck into a plastic cup! Just to be certain, I asked Rebecca, "What is it?" She replied gently, "Mummy, it's a blue bird of happiness."

God has not Forgotten You!

God really got hold of my heart that day, and I repented for not receiving the blue bird word! God has given me a gift to make people smile. I cherish that gift. The blue bird prophecy encouraged me so profoundly that day, when I realized God was confirming this as part of my call.

There have been so many words and prophecies about the situation in the South, but all I have today from Jesus, to share with you, is this: He will make you smile again because He loves you so much. He is near to the broken hearted and carries His lambs with exquisite tenderness through the storm. I personally understand that when tragedy strikes at the core of our beings, it is difficult to smile.

It seems as though one will never be able to smile again, but I want to say to the rescuers, the victims, and the families and friends of victims of the tragedy in the South: God has not forgotten you, and He walks with you through this valley of desperate times, carrying you into new beginnings, with healing in His wings. From the ashes of today, He will kiss your bruised souls and broken hearts and bring you through to victory in Him.

The bluebird is an American songbird. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, the states in the South have been extremely supportive in the global praise called ‘Million Hours of Praise,' and I believe there is an anointing of praise and worship in the southern states that God is calling forth again in this hour. A breaker-anointing is being released on the praise of the people of the South, which will harvest many souls. To praise Jesus through suffering is such an incredible and priceless gift of sacrificial love to Christ.


Nehemiah -- a Role Model to Inspire Us to Rebuild

In recent months, I have been studying Nehemiah, who was used by the Lord to rebuild the shattered walls and gates of Jerusalem. When Nehemiah first heard the news of the devastation in his nation, he wept and mourned, and his heart broke over what had happened. He spent time in God's presence, fasting and enquiring. He prayed from a posture of adoration. He prayed in confession. He prayed his petitions, and he interceded for his people and his nation. Ultimately, God released divine favor on Nehemiah, allowing him to present his prayer request to King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah gained favor, provision, and protection, as he embarked on his monumental, rebuilding mission.

Nehemiah was well organized, a Godly and humble leader with excellent motivational skills. He knew how to inspire faith in his people, and he was a man who listened to God for direction and inspiration. During a nighttime stealth mission, which Nehemiah undertook in Jerusalem, he gained a blue print for the way forward. Nehemiah encountered problems, overwhelming odds, and what may have seemed like insurmountable difficulties. He was pressed on all sides, and he and his co-workers were intimidated by the enemy, harassed, and ridiculed. Yet, Nehemiah found a place of hiddeness in the heart of God and led like a true warrior of God -- one who leads as a servant, laying down their lives for Christ, and preferring others in love.

He stayed focused on God; he kept his hand to the task he had been assigned to do, and he responded strategically when pressing needs arose that threatened the progress of the work. When things got really tough, Nehemiah put in place a 24-7 army to ensure the rebuilding work was completed.

God is Raising Up Leaders to Rebuild the City

Nehemiah was a tremendous leader whom God had prepared and raised up for such a disastrous time in the history of the Israelites. Nehemiah cared for the poor and was a man of integrity. He was a hard worker and never asked anyone to do anything that he wasn't willing to do himself. He finished the job God gave him to do!

One heartbreaking quote from New Orleans is, "We advise people that this city has been destroyed, it has completely been destroyed."

As I think of New Orleans, Mississippi, Louisiana, and many other states now affected by Hurricane Katrina, I see a role model in Nehemiah from which we might take some encouragement. No odds are insurmountable, with Christ on our side.

As refugees head to Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, Missouri, Illinois, West Virginia, Minnesota, Michigan, and Texas, we stand in faith, declaring there are no odds that are insurmountable with Christ on our side and by our side, as we petition our Heavenly Father and receive His provision for homes, new jobs, and schooling for the half million displaced people of the hurricane.

I proclaim that God is raising up leaders, in like manner to Nehemiah, who will rebuild the cities devastated by Hurricane Katrina. God has been preparing men and women like Nehemiah to lead and rebuild cities, for such a time as this.


"Lord, Strengthen Our Hands"

There came a time when Nehemiah and the people were being ferociously pursued, as further opposition to the rebuilding work arose. "They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed." But Nehemiah prayed," Now strengthen my hands." Nehemiah 6:9

The enemy wants to convince us that the task is too big, that we don't have enough resources or energy or willpower or strength, and in some ways, he is right. We can do nothing apart from Christ, but in Him and through Him, all things are possible, and I prophesy in faith that the South will rise again to greet Jesus Christ as her coming King.

The people of the south will come together, and the Spirit of the Lord will release strategies for overcoming -- strategies for rebuilding in the natural and in the spiritual realm. I pray Father, strengthen the hands and heart of every willing worker in your Kingdom, in Jesus name!


Sir Winston Churchill Broadcast Extract, May 13, 1940: "Be Ye Men of Valor"

In 1940, Winston Churchill, as Prime Minister, spoke to the nation and said this, "In that supreme emergency, we shall not hesitate to take every step, even the most drastic, to call forth from our people, the last ounce and the last inch of effort they are capable of. The interests of property and the hours of labor are nothing compared to the struggle for life and honor, for right and freedom, to which we have vowed ourselves.

"Today is Trinity Sunday. Centuries ago, words were written to be a call and a spur to the faithful servants of Truth and Justice: 'Arm yourselves, and be ye men of valor, and be in readiness for the conflict; for it is better for us to perish in battle, than to look upon the outrage of our nation and our altar. As the Will of God is in Heaven, even so let it be.' " --Sir Winston Churchill, May 13, 1940

May we take courage today from the inspirational words of a tremendous leader, who was not afraid to speak of hard work and almost insurmountable circumstances, and who inspired others to work until the battle was won. The battle is on today for souls and for nations. Today, beloved America, know that millions stand with you throughout the earth for the restoration of the devastation that Hurricane Katrina has wrought in its wake.

Christ is King, and to Him we bow our hearts and posture ourselves for His perfect plans and solutions. He is our Mighty Redeemer and the One in whom we take refuge, in whom we find shade, and the One we can rely upon to be our shelter.

As a Scottish/Irish woman, my heart is entwined with the South, where so many of our ancestors migrated. As of September 5, there were still 130 Britons missing in the South. We are praying for y'all and for President George W Bush, Mayor Ray Nagin, Deputy Police Chief Warren Riley, and many more. I leave you with the words of promise concerning blue birds, penned during the 2nd world war:
 

"There'll be blue birds over
The white cliffs of Dover,
Tomorrow, just you wait and see.
There'll be love and laughter
And peace ever after
Tomorrow, when the world is free.
The shepherd will tend his sheep,
The valley will bloom again
And Jimmy will go to sleep,
In his own little room again.
There'll be blue birds over
The white cliffs of Dover,
Tomorrow, just you wait and see."
Words - Nat Burton
Melody - Walter Kent
Published - 1941

Yours in agape,


Catherine Brown
One Million Hours of Praise
www.millionhoursofpraise.com


 

September 23, 2005
Prophetic Roundtable
Elim Church
Glasgow, United Kingdom

September 30, 2005
Lydia Fellowship International Conference
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

October 14-15, 2005
Dr Joe Ibojie & Pietro Evangelista
Father's House
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

October 23
Catherine will be preaching in
her home church of St. Andrews
West Kilbride, United Kingdom