November 19, 2024 • 32 mins
On this week's episode, we welcome Darla Hightower, as she opens up about her life's work in nursing, ministry, and music. Darla's new book, "God's Love Song," forms the heart of our discussion, revealing how a single divinely inspired song became a source of spiritual healing and victory over life's struggles. We discuss the theme of redemption in her writing, which serves as a heartfelt daily devotional for anyone on the path to spiritual growth.
Join us as we recount Darla's mission trip to El Salvador, where faith guided her to a prison environment fraught with danger from MS-13 gangs. With a fearless heart and scripture from Isaiah 61:1-3 as her guide, Darla shares stories of unexpected compassion and connections made with young men behind bars. Witness how acts of love transcend physical barriers and offer eternal hope, leaving us all with inspired anticipation for what awaits in the hereafter.
Reflect on the serenity found in worship as we talk about the contrasts between personal and corporate experiences with God. Darla shares how a quiet moment led to the creation of a song and her book, offering a sanctuary of rest for those burdened by life's chaos. With wisdom and encouragement, we invite you to pursue the callings in your heart, recognizing that your obedience might just be the blessing someone else needs.
Visit us at our website for everything about the ministry of Rise Up and we pray you have a blessed week!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Kim McIntire (00:09):
Welcome to the it's Time to Rise Up podcast.
I'm your host, kim McIntyre.
I just want to thank you forjoining us this week.
If you're not familiar with ourshow, please check out our
website at itstimetoriseuporg.
There you will find our socialmedia links and for our podcast
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(00:31):
spotify or anywhere else thatyou find your podcast.
I would humbly ask you tosubscribe.
Leave a review.
Give us a five-star review onApple Podcasts.
We are so thankful that you'rejoining us today.
Today, I'm super excited tohave Darla Hightower in the
studio.
Welcome, darla.
Thank you, kim.
(00:51):
You're welcome.
Darla is a friend of Rise Up.
She has served at ourconference.
She recently published herfirst book entitled God's Love
Song.
Love the title, by the way.
Love the title.
I have read it personally andlet me tell you it was such an
encouragement and blessing to me.
Darla Hightower (01:12):
That's wonderful.
Kim McIntire (01:13):
There were several chapters that I reread because
I knew I was like there's toomuch here to just go to the next
chapter, you know.
So it took me longer than amonth to read it, because I love
that it's broken down by daysand that's how I did it.
But there were some days Irepeated.
But I would strongly recommendanyone to purchase this book and
(01:36):
we'll give you information onhow to find the book at the end
of this episode.
But I truly want to thank youagain for being here, darla.
So I kind of explained how Iknow you.
I know you through Rise Up.
You've served at our conference, your husband does our sound
and that's mostly how I know you.
You've come to my house forprayer group a couple of times,
(01:57):
so why don't you tell ouraudience a little bit about
yourself?
Darla Hightower (02:02):
Well, I grew up in many different places.
I lived in New York as a baby,in Texas, I've lived in Oklahoma
, kansas, missouri, severalplaces but spent about 34 years
of my life in Lamar.
I would say that's probablywhere I would say that I grew up
, from seventh grade or eighthgrade on and graduated high
(02:27):
school there.
And I am married, I have twosons and I have five grandbabies
and I am retired.
I had a nursing career of 34years, also as a registered
nurse, and worked in manydifferent area hospitals Mercy,
(02:50):
freeman, lamar Hospital, bartonCounty, carthage, Mercy, lots of
area hospitals and also havetaught at Crowder College, at
SBU and the nursing programs andat University of Missouri,
kansas City.
Kim McIntire (03:04):
Wow.
So yeah, that's a full life.
Yeah, for sure.
Tell me a little bit aboutministry, the ministry work that
you've done, because I knowthat's your heart.
Darla Hightower (03:13):
That's my heart and I've always done that.
In addition to the family andthe education and the jobs, I've
always been in ministry too,for most all of my life, and I
would say first of all we didyouth ministry and then we
accepted a pastorate and alwaysbeen involved in women's
(03:35):
ministries.
I've taught Sunday school, beenthe choir director, the church
pianist all different roles, youknow, but always enjoyed all of
it.
Kim McIntire (03:46):
And you're very musical.
Darla Hightower (03:48):
Musical.
Yes, I play a few instrumentsand sing, and God has blessed me
with many opportunities to dothat, and I'm thankful for that
too.
Kim McIntire (03:56):
And you're a songwriter.
Darla Hightower (03:58):
A songwriter.
Yes, and that's where this bookcame from.
It was based on a song that theLord gave me.
Kim McIntire (04:03):
Wow, well, I've listened.
I've had the joy of listeningto some of your music and I know
it's a blessing.
Where can people find yourmusic, darla?
Darla Hightower (04:12):
On YouTube.
Just look up Darla Hightower onYouTube and you'll find all of
my songs that I have posted atthis point in time.
Kim McIntire (04:19):
And they're original right.
Darla Hightower (04:20):
They're all original.
Yeah, the lyrics and the musicand everything is from the Lord.
Kim McIntire (04:34):
Oh, it's so good.
Well, let's dive into your book, okay, okay.
So what I discovered, aboutyour book is.
It has many layers and there'sjust a thread of the redemption
story and I think over thecourse of this podcast our
listeners are going to hear mesay the word redemption or
redeemed probably every singletime we do an interview because
I'm drawn to that story, theredemption story.
But that is the one thingthat's really stood out to me in
(04:56):
your book.
But there's also the layer ofvictory through struggle, the
layer of healing heart and mindand spirit.
Darla Hightower (05:07):
And body.
Kim McIntire (05:07):
And body.
Yes, yes, so healing on manylayers or levels.
There's a story of missions,the heart of missions that you
have.
Also praise and worship, just.
I love the many facets of thebook.
To me it was kind of adevotional format and that's how
(05:29):
I approached it, although Iknow some people would probably
pick it up and read it front toback at one setting and you
could.
But I would encourage peoplewhen you buy the book to read it
daily because it builds one ontop of another.
So when did you feel the callto write the book?
(05:50):
God's Love Song?
Darla Hightower (05:53):
It was shortly after he gave me this song that
it's based on.
I felt led of the Lord to writethe book and I started it and I
did a few chapters and I was ina marriage that lasted 34 years
and my husband left, and whenhe did, I put that down for a
(06:15):
time, and it wasn't untilrecently.
Actually last year I was takinga class Embassy Supernatural
School of Ministry, and one ofthe assignments that we had was
to write a list of 75 things,either goals that you have that
you haven't completed or thingsthat God had put in your heart.
You hadn't finished yet and Iwrote that list out and the
(06:39):
thing that jumped off the pageat me was the book and I said,
okay, god, I don't know how todo this.
I had a few chapters very fewwritten, maybe three or four, I
don't know something like thatand I didn't really know.
I'd never written a book.
I didn't know how to evenproceed.
But I had a friend who was anauthor, so I scheduled an
(07:02):
appointment with her and I saidwho was an author?
So I scheduled an appointmentwith her and I said I feel like
God wants me to write a book andshe said okay, and she took a
pencil out and she wrote downthe name of the man who does her
book covers, his phone numberand his email address.
And then she took another pieceof paper and she wrote down the
name of her editor, his phonenumber and his email address.
(07:22):
And so, and then we justvisited.
For the rest of the time that Isaw her, yeah, and within 24
hours I had hired both of them.
Within a week the book wasfinished and and in the editing
uh process that's amazing so,yeah, god did it, I.
I have to share this littlepiece yes um, the last trip.
(07:43):
I've taken a few mission tripsto El Salvador and I love the
country and I love the people.
My heart just connected withthem there and one of the
prophecies that was spoken overme I believe it was on the third
trip there was that there werebooks inside of me and that I
was to write a book on thestrategies of heaven.
(08:04):
And I thought, god, what doesthat even mean?
The strategies of heaven,that's a pretty deep topic, and
when I sat down to finish thisbook, as I was doing that, he
was pouring into me notes forthe first book on the strategies
of heaven.
So just one step of obedienceto do this one thing and he's
(08:28):
giving me notes for the nextbook that I haven't finished yet
at this point.
But I just have to say God'sgifts and callings are without
repentance.
He meant it the first time hetold me to write the book and
even though I laid it down for aperiod of time when I picked it
back up there, he was stillready to give me all the
information that he wanted inthe book.
And even though I laid it downfor a period of time when I
picked it back up there, he wasstill ready to give me all the
(08:48):
information that he wanted inthe book, and so I'm thankful
for that.
Kim McIntire (08:52):
He's so good, he is good, he's so good.
One thing that really struck meas I was reading your book it
really pours from the pages thatyou walk in intimacy with the
Lord and you can tell, just pageby page.
It's an everyday, moment bymoment, breath by breath,
(09:15):
relationship with the Lord and Iknow, you know, there are many
people who are believers, fewerpeople who are followers, and in
chapter 29, I feel this truthabout you is just so beautifully
expressed.
(09:35):
The title is If your Heart hasBeen Broken.
Could you share with us aboutthis chapter?
It's about a mission trip to ElSalvador and you are there on
assignment and you find out thatyou're going to be going to a
specific location and that wholejourney had me undone.
(09:56):
I mean, I was weeping throughthe chapter and when I concluded
the chapter I was like, okay,lord, do that in me, do that in
me, lord.
It's amazing that you know theword says those who love me obey
me.
Yes, and that's the evidence ofa true love.
Relationship with our fatherthrough Christ is obedience.
(10:17):
That's right.
So I'm going to.
I'm going to read a scripture,because you opened the chapter
with the scripture and it'spowerful.
It is the King James Versiontranslation.
I will tell everyone so it maynot sound familiar to everyone's
ears, but it's a beautifulscripture Isaiah 61, verses 1
through 3.
The Spirit of the Lord, god, isupon me because the Lord hath
(10:42):
anointed me to preach goodtidings unto the meek.
He hath sent me to bind up thebrokenhearted, to proclaim
liberty to the captives and theopening of the prison to them
that are bound to proclaim theacceptable year of the Lord and
the day of vengeance of our God,to comfort all that mourn, to
(11:05):
appoint unto them that mourn inZion, to give to them beauty for
ashes, the oil of joy formourning, the garment of praise
for the spirit of heaviness,that they might be called trees
of righteousness, the plantingof the Lord that he might be
(11:25):
glorified.
And I thought to myself anychapter that opens with that
scripture is a chapter I'm notskipping.
So just tell us about thismission trip to El Salvador and
that unexpected assignment thatyou received.
Darla Hightower (11:44):
Well, we weren't told our itinerary ahead
of time.
We were just to follow theleaders and believe that they
were following the Lord andtrust them.
So this particular morning wegot up and they said bring your
passport with you, we are goingto the prison.
Now this trip happened during atime when there were travel
(12:06):
advisories saying do not go toEl Salvador.
It's one of the most dangerousplaces in the world.
Ms-13 gangs were there andthere was a travel advisory.
People were saying are youcrazy?
You're going where you knowyou're not supposed to go there.
Did you not read the traveladvisory?
But we knew, because of the waythat God had opened doors for
us to go, that we were to go onthat trip and so I wasn't really
(12:29):
excited about going to prisonbecause it was kind of I'd never
been to a prison before, evenin our country, but in a foreign
country it was just a littlemore unnerving.
And they said bring yourpassport with you.
We have to have them to get in.
And they did.
They took our passports from usat the gate.
The guards did, they checkedeverything out and they kept
them.
While we were in the prison gate, the guards did they checked
(12:51):
everything out and they keptthem while we were in the prison
and we were given instructionsfrom our leader.
They said it was an all-menprison, it was a young-men
prison and they said they'vebeen here for years.
Don't touch them.
Stay close to a male on ourteam at all times, do not wander
away.
And it was a large prison.
So they divided us in two teams.
(13:11):
So my husband and I would beleading worship in one team, on
one half of the prison, andanother friend of ours and his
wife would be leading worship onthe other half of the prison.
So we got in there and westarted singing worship songs.
But my heart just broke forthose young men as I looked at
(13:31):
them and I remember I knewyou're not supposed to touch
them, you're not supposed to doanything like that.
But I went to the translatorand I said I am a mom and I am a
grandma and I just want to givethem a hug.
Could you just tell them I'mhere?
And I just spread my arms open.
I said I want to give you a hug.
(13:53):
If you want a hug, here I am.
And they got in line and theycame through and I just wept
over those young men and prayedover them.
I'm telling you, I'm the onethat came away blessed we go to
be a blessing, but I'm the onethat came away blessed we go to
(14:14):
be a blessing, but I'm the onewho came away blessed, and they
thanked me through thetranslator as we were leaving
for doing that.
Kim McIntire (14:21):
And it was just a hug, you know.
Darla Hightower (14:22):
But with the Lord little is much when God is
in it.
Kim McIntire (14:27):
That's so true.
That's so true.
Darla Hightower (14:29):
So we came out of the prison and I met up with
the other couple who were on theother side and I said, ashley,
you're never going to believewhat happened.
And I told her and I wasweeping, and she said, darla,
that's the same thing thathappened on our side.
She had done the very samething, and we hadn't planned it,
we hadn't talked about it.
It was the Lord.
(14:55):
He just wanted to love on thoseyoung men that day, and they
have been on my heart so manytimes since then.
I have prayed over them and Iknow, I truly believe, that God
impacted their lives somehowthat day through us, and I know
that they made an impact on meas well, for sure, and I'm
hoping to see them in heaven.
Kim McIntire (15:10):
Well, and I was thinking that even on the drive
over to meet you, I was thinkingabout the impact for eternity.
And will you in fact see someof those prisoners that you
ministered to, really that theentire group was ministering to?
(15:31):
What a gift.
Darla Hightower (15:32):
Well, and my prayer is that, the way that God
touched their heart, what theycould do and how many lives they
could touch throughout theirlife, yeah, exactly the
exponential growth that couldcome just from a hug in a prison
one day, you know.
Kim McIntire (15:48):
Yeah, which the hug was obedience Right, and
that's, I think, a place wheregrace empowers us to obey in
ways we could never obey throughself-will.
Darla Hightower (16:05):
Right.
Kim McIntire (16:05):
Because there are some things we can do just by
sheer will, like I am going todo this, but then there are
other things where, if it's nota supernatural empowerment of
grace, it's not happening.
So it's really deeper watersbecause there has to be an
element of surrender there.
Darla Hightower (16:24):
Right.
Kim McIntire (16:24):
You know I mean when I was putting myself in
your shoes, because I do thatwhen I read, I try to put myself
in the author's shoes if it's anonfiction book and I was
asking myself would I have hadthe courage and the obedience to
do what Darla did and her team?
And I would hope that I wouldsurrender in order to receive
(16:46):
that empowerment of grace.
But that I just wanted you toknow, because we haven't had a
chance to talk face to face.
That was really the chapterthat I just took hold of and I
literally was like Lord, do thatin me, do that in me to where?
No matter where I am or where Igo or what assignment you give
me.
My answer is yes, and you talkabout in that chapter that
(17:10):
there's just this supernaturalcompassion welling up in you.
Yes, and I feel like for theissues that we're facing as a
nation, as a city, and the needsthat are all around us, oh Lord
, jesus, fill us with yourcompassion.
There are so many hurting andbroken people.
I want to ask you this question.
(17:33):
I said earlier that it's veryevident that you walk intimately
with the Lord, just through thepages of the book.
Was there something significantin your life that you can look
back on, that you're like.
This marked me and this wasreally a pivotal time of
(17:54):
shifting and moving from abeliever in Jesus to a follower
of Jesus, because there's adifference.
Darla Hightower (18:01):
There is a difference.
Kim McIntire (18:02):
And you know, for some people I feel like there's
a marked season, and then Ithink for others it's more a
process of growth andsanctification.
So how would you explain thatto our listeners?
Darla Hightower (18:11):
Yeah, I agree.
I think it's a process, likeyou said, growth and there was a
time in my life when I reallystarted seriously studying the
Bible out for myself.
Back then we had the Strong'sConcordance and I would get a
verse and I would look everyword up in the Strong's and it
was real tiny font, you had toalmost have a magnifying glass
(18:34):
to read it.
But back then we didn't haveall of this electronic apps on
our phone where we could lookthose things up.
But I dug and dug and dug intothe scriptures and God just
revealed Himself to me, studyingthings and thinking, why do I
believe what I believe?
Is it because I was told thatin church all my life, or is it
because I see that in the Wordmyself?
(18:55):
And I learned a lot just bydigging into His Word.
And then there was a book, aresource that was given to me,
called Biblical Foundations ofFreedom.
It's written by a Messianic Jewnamed Art Matthias and it was
on really on the topic ofdeliverance and I feel like that
(19:18):
could be taught a lot morethese days than I hear it being
taught, and it's a topic thatreally I'm passionate about.
I'm passionate about it becauseI received deliverance in so
many areas of my life, usingthat book as a resource.
I didn't even know that Ineeded in those areas and just
(19:43):
by asking God to show me myheart.
And there's so many times thatif I don't understand what's
going on or something'shappening and I say, I just say
God, show me my heart.
If you are sincere when youpray that prayer, he will show
you.
But I think you know what aboutthe people who never ask Him to
(20:05):
show them their heart, and whatabout the people who he has
shown their heart and they'renot yielding or they're not
obeying, because knowing andobeying are two different things
.
So I just think it's importantthat we listen and obey.
There's a scripture that talksabout that.
You listen and obey.
You can't do one without theother and get that intimacy that
(20:30):
you're talking about.
Kim McIntire (20:31):
Yeah, it's really foundational.
Darla Hightower (20:32):
It is.
Kim McIntire (20:33):
As well as the fear of the Lord.
Right, we talked about thatbefore we went on the air, that
just living in the fear of theLord and the fear of the Lord,
my whole life I've believed isto reverence and worship the
Lord with awe and wonder, justat who he is and recognizing how
(20:54):
majestic he is and lifted upand exalted far above humanity.
And I'm learning that there'smore to it than that and it's
recognizing that our Father Godis loving and kind, gracious,
generous, merciful and forgiving.
But Jesus says in the Gospelsfear him, who can cast your soul
(21:18):
into hell.
And it's a truth about God thatI feel like culturally we've
just ignored, and so it's ahealthy fear that actually
deepens your intimacy becauseyou recognize, I recognize not
just sinning against a person,right, I'm sinning against my
(21:40):
creator, whom I will give anaccount for my life.
Darla Hightower (21:45):
Right.
Kim McIntire (21:46):
And so you know, because intimacy to me is such a
theme of your book I reallywanted I'm glad you shared about
that because the obedience andthe fear of the Lord, as we
talked earlier, it'sfoundational.
So if there's someone listeningand you know you believe in the
Lord and you're in church andyou have a desire to draw closer
(22:09):
to God, go to the Lord inprayer and ask Lord, help me,
obey, I need your Holy Spirit.
I want to live in obedience, Iwant to live in response to your
word and I want to live in thefear of the Lord.
And the fear of the Lord is awonderful, wonderful journey.
And even I feel like and I'vebeen following Jesus for a long
(22:33):
time, but I almost feel like I'mjust beginning to understand
that other side of the fear ofthe Lord Thanks to a book I'm
reading by John Bevere.
I'll just give a shout out forthe Awe of God by John Bevere.
You mentioned a great authorand book as well, so you know,
learning more about God includesreading His Word first, but
(22:53):
also other great authors thathave walked with the Lord a long
time and have learned.
Yes, and we can glean from them.
So let's shift to anotherdirection now.
What would you say was the mostchallenging part of writing
your book?
I know it didn't take you verylong, but can you identify a
(23:14):
challenge that was just you lookback and you're like I'm glad I
pushed through.
Darla Hightower (23:20):
Well, actually the challenge was, you know, I
told you I'd put it down forseveral years when I decided
that's what God wants me to doat this moment, when I was doing
that assignment, just makingthat decision to do it.
Once I did that, it just flowed.
(23:41):
I mean, I don't know how elseto say it.
He just gave it to me, I justmade you know.
Sometimes, when he gives mesongs, it's when I sit down and
make time for Him, when I sitdown to the piano and I just I'm
just there to worship Him andthen a song will come out of
that.
You know.
So it's kind of like that Ithere to worship Him and then a
song will come out of that.
You know.
So it's kind of like that.
I made time for the book and Ijust said Holy Spirit, I want
(24:02):
this book to touch people'shearts and lives and change them
.
You know, I want them to seeyou as healer, I want them to
see you as all these things likeyou were saying, and maybe they
don't know you as that.
But that's what I want thisbook to do and I've prayed over
it.
I'm telling you, if you buy one, just be warned, it's anointed,
because I've prayed over it.
That's right.
It'll be what you need it to be.
(24:23):
He will reveal himself to youthrough it.
So that's my heart in this book.
Kim McIntire (24:28):
I remember the day you came to Rise Up Prayer
Group at my house and you had acopy and we all put our hands on
it and we just prayed over youand over the book and I know
it's already impacted lives, butwe will never know this side of
heaven, will we?
Darla Hightower (24:45):
That's right.
Kim McIntire (24:45):
How many lives are touched by that writing that
God put his hand on.
But I know there will be many.
And what was the most?
What has been the mostrewarding part of writing the
book so far and I know it's onlybeen out for a few months?
Darla Hightower (24:58):
right.
Yeah, it came out in July.
Well, it's something that heput on my heart to do, and just
seeing it finished, you know,that's pretty rewarding and
being able to know that mychildren, my grandchildren, can
read this, mygreat-grandchildren and then
their children, and it's goingto be here.
You know, after I'm gone toheaven, it's going to be here,
(25:20):
and I like that to think, that Ihave that to leave.
You know, in the Old Testamentthey said build these monuments
and put these stones here, sowhen your children ask, you can
say, well, this is where thishappened or this is where that
happened, and there's so manythings.
You know.
It said teach your childrenwhen they're coming in, when
they're going out, when they'resitting down, when they're
rising up, and I want to be ableto leave something like that
(25:43):
for my future generations to seeyou know who is God, who is
this God and what is he like,and so that's part of what I
wanted to do.
Kim McIntire (25:54):
A legacy and a memorial stone yes, right For
the future generations to come.
I know the Lord will honor it.
I want to read a little excerptfrom your book.
Okay, I had a hard timechoosing between chapter 11 and
chapter 29, but I just reallywanted to point out like my
favorite chapter, to let youknow partly why it stood out.
(26:16):
And this one is called it'schapter 11, sit at my feet and
you will find rest.
And you open with Luke 10,verse 41 and 42.
Martha, martha, thou artcareful and troubled about many
things, but one thing is.
And then you go on to Matthew11, verse 28.
(26:40):
And I tend to be busier than Ishould be.
(27:01):
I don't even work outside ofthe home.
A friend of mine years ago,who's my cousin as well, said
Kim, you need to be still andknow that he is God.
And you know, 15 years ago Iwasn't as teachable and got a
little offended.
But this chapter spoke to mebecause you talked about how
(27:23):
worship is rest.
So do you want to talk aboutthat a little bit?
Darla Hightower (27:28):
Well, it's hard because I have a personality
like you.
I have type A personality and Ilike to be busy and about, you
know, doing things for peopleand all of that and um, and
doing as much as I can for theLord and all of those things,
and I have to purposely makemyself be still before him.
And when I'm um really tryingto hear from the Lord on a
(27:54):
specific topic, I might go to aroom and shut the door and put
earplugs in and close my eyesand just say, lord, I don't want
there to be any distractionsand just say, lord, what do you
want to say to me today?
Or Lord, what about this orwhat about that?
And just wait for thatspontaneous thought to come into
(28:18):
my mind that I know didn't comefrom me because of the wisdom
that it's brought in.
So there's different ways thatI do that, but sometimes I just
go to the piano and startplaying and close my eyes and he
may give me a song, some songshe gives me in the middle of the
night.
He'll wake me up with melodiesor lyrics and the song that this
(28:40):
book is based on.
I woke up one morning and I didjust that.
I closed my eyes.
I pictured myself on a warm,sunny beach, because that's one
of my favorite places to be, andJesus was there.
And then I saw him go out of myline of vision.
He came back carrying a guitarand I hadn't played a guitar
since I was young, really youngand he sat on a boulder and
(29:02):
started strumming and I couldhear the melody for this song.
Then lyrics started coming in.
The first four lines came and Iwrote it on an index card
because I kept them on mynightstand.
I didn't want to miss, you know, if God had given me a dream or
spoken something to me, I wantto capture it.
So I had that stack of indexcards and I wrote those four
lines down.
And I just started thanking himfor thank you for speaking to
(29:24):
me today, thank you for takingtime, you know just to speak to
me.
And then more lyrics came and15 index cards later I had, when
the flow stopped, you know.
Then I had to run to the pianoand find the chords and try to
capture the song.
I didn't want to lose it, andso that's what this book is
based on.
The lines for the song are thetitles for the chapters.
Kim McIntire (29:47):
That's so good.
The part that I loved in thischapter says it's at the end of
the first page says corporateworship is wonderful, but the
most intimate worship times Ihave are at home, with me, my
keyboard and the Lord.
Yes, and that resonated with me.
I love church and I love toworship.
(30:08):
I'm in a really enthusiasticchurch and so I enjoy clapping
and raising my hands and dancingin the spirit, but nothing is
better than just me at home inmy prayer room worshiping before
the Lord and he's my audienceof one.
Darla Hightower (30:30):
Yes you're right.
Kim McIntire (30:31):
There's no better place to be than with an
audience of one, Althoughcorporate worship certainly.
The Lord ordains that and wedon't want to neglect that.
But I love that we have that incommon it's a place to rest.
Darla Hightower (30:45):
It is.
Kim McIntire (30:46):
Yeah, worship is a place to rest, and so I
appreciated that as well in yourbook, darla.
What spiritual encouragementwould you like to share with
those who have been listeningtoday?
Is there anything the Lord hason your heart today that you
feel would just really buildsomeone up?
Darla Hightower (31:08):
Well, I would just say I think I've already
said this that His gifts andcallings are without repentance.
If there's anything that he'sput in your heart to do and that
you haven't completed which iswhere I was when I finished this
book I would just encourage youto step out and do that.
He didn't forget about it andhe has a purpose and a plan, and
(31:31):
your obedience could be someoneelse's blessing.
Kim McIntire (31:34):
That's so true.
Well, I know your obedience wasa blessing to me, thank you,
and so I've just been honored tohave you with us for this
episode.
I am excited to see what Goddoes with your book and with
your music.
I know he's just gettingstarted, darla.
Well, thank you.
I just believe that with all myheart.
So, darla, why don't you tellour listeners how they can find
(31:58):
your book?
Darla Hightower (31:59):
They can get it digitally or paperback on
Amazon, okay, and then I havecopies, if they happen to be
local.
Kim McIntire (32:06):
Okay, okay.
And what would be a good way toreach you locally?
Do you have an email orsomething you want to share?
Darla Hightower (32:14):
So it's HightowerMinistries Joplin at
gmailcom.
Kim McIntire (32:18):
Okay, thank you so much, welcome.
Thank you everyone forlistening today.
Be sure to check us out on ourwebsite at itstimedoriseuporg,
our Facebook page or Instagramat the official underscore rise
underscore up.
May God's grace and peace bewith you in Jesus' mighty name.
Welcome to the it's Time to Rise Up podcast.
I'm your host, kim McIntyre.
I just want to thank you forjoining us this week.
If you're not familiar with ourshow, please check out our
website at itstimetoriseuporg.
There you will find our socialmedia links and for our podcast
platforms, please check us outon YouTube, apple Podcasts,
(00:31):
spotify or anywhere else thatyou find your podcast.
I would humbly ask you tosubscribe.
Leave a review.
Give us a five-star review onApple Podcasts.
We are so thankful that you'rejoining us today.
Today, I'm super excited tohave Darla Hightower in the
studio.
Welcome, darla.
Thank you, kim.
(00:51):
You're welcome.
Darla is a friend of Rise Up.
She has served at ourconference.
She recently published herfirst book entitled God's Love
Song.
Love the title, by the way.
Love the title.
I have read it personally andlet me tell you it was such an
encouragement and blessing to me.
Darla Hightower (01:12):
That's wonderful.
Kim McIntire (01:13):
There were several chapters that I reread because
I knew I was like there's toomuch here to just go to the next
chapter, you know.
So it took me longer than amonth to read it, because I love
that it's broken down by daysand that's how I did it.
But there were some days Irepeated.
But I would strongly recommendanyone to purchase this book and
(01:36):
we'll give you information onhow to find the book at the end
of this episode.
But I truly want to thank youagain for being here, darla.
So I kind of explained how Iknow you.
I know you through Rise Up.
You've served at our conference, your husband does our sound
and that's mostly how I know you.
You've come to my house forprayer group a couple of times,
(01:57):
so why don't you tell ouraudience a little bit about
yourself?
Darla Hightower (02:02):
Well, I grew up in many different places.
I lived in New York as a baby,in Texas, I've lived in Oklahoma
, kansas, missouri, severalplaces but spent about 34 years
of my life in Lamar.
I would say that's probablywhere I would say that I grew up
, from seventh grade or eighthgrade on and graduated high
(02:27):
school there.
And I am married, I have twosons and I have five grandbabies
and I am retired.
I had a nursing career of 34years, also as a registered
nurse, and worked in manydifferent area hospitals Mercy,
(02:50):
freeman, lamar Hospital, bartonCounty, carthage, Mercy, lots of
area hospitals and also havetaught at Crowder College, at
SBU and the nursing programs andat University of Missouri,
kansas City.
Kim McIntire (03:04):
Wow.
So yeah, that's a full life.
Yeah, for sure.
Tell me a little bit aboutministry, the ministry work that
you've done, because I knowthat's your heart.
Darla Hightower (03:13):
That's my heart and I've always done that.
In addition to the family andthe education and the jobs, I've
always been in ministry too,for most all of my life, and I
would say first of all we didyouth ministry and then we
accepted a pastorate and alwaysbeen involved in women's
(03:35):
ministries.
I've taught Sunday school, beenthe choir director, the church
pianist all different roles, youknow, but always enjoyed all of
it.
Kim McIntire (03:46):
And you're very musical.
Darla Hightower (03:48):
Musical.
Yes, I play a few instrumentsand sing, and God has blessed me
with many opportunities to dothat, and I'm thankful for that
too.
Kim McIntire (03:56):
And you're a songwriter.
Darla Hightower (03:58):
A songwriter.
Yes, and that's where this bookcame from.
It was based on a song that theLord gave me.
Kim McIntire (04:03):
Wow, well, I've listened.
I've had the joy of listeningto some of your music and I know
it's a blessing.
Where can people find yourmusic, darla?
Darla Hightower (04:12):
On YouTube.
Just look up Darla Hightower onYouTube and you'll find all of
my songs that I have posted atthis point in time.
Kim McIntire (04:19):
And they're original right.
Darla Hightower (04:20):
They're all original.
Yeah, the lyrics and the musicand everything is from the Lord.
Kim McIntire (04:34):
Oh, it's so good.
Well, let's dive into your book, okay, okay.
So what I discovered, aboutyour book is.
It has many layers and there'sjust a thread of the redemption
story and I think over thecourse of this podcast our
listeners are going to hear mesay the word redemption or
redeemed probably every singletime we do an interview because
I'm drawn to that story, theredemption story.
But that is the one thingthat's really stood out to me in
(04:56):
your book.
But there's also the layer ofvictory through struggle, the
layer of healing heart and mindand spirit.
Darla Hightower (05:07):
And body.
Kim McIntire (05:07):
And body.
Yes, yes, so healing on manylayers or levels.
There's a story of missions,the heart of missions that you
have.
Also praise and worship, just.
I love the many facets of thebook.
To me it was kind of adevotional format and that's how
(05:29):
I approached it, although Iknow some people would probably
pick it up and read it front toback at one setting and you
could.
But I would encourage peoplewhen you buy the book to read it
daily because it builds one ontop of another.
So when did you feel the callto write the book?
(05:50):
God's Love Song?
Darla Hightower (05:53):
It was shortly after he gave me this song that
it's based on.
I felt led of the Lord to writethe book and I started it and I
did a few chapters and I was ina marriage that lasted 34 years
and my husband left, and whenhe did, I put that down for a
(06:15):
time, and it wasn't untilrecently.
Actually last year I was takinga class Embassy Supernatural
School of Ministry, and one ofthe assignments that we had was
to write a list of 75 things,either goals that you have that
you haven't completed or thingsthat God had put in your heart.
You hadn't finished yet and Iwrote that list out and the
(06:39):
thing that jumped off the pageat me was the book and I said,
okay, god, I don't know how todo this.
I had a few chapters very fewwritten, maybe three or four, I
don't know something like thatand I didn't really know.
I'd never written a book.
I didn't know how to evenproceed.
But I had a friend who was anauthor, so I scheduled an
(07:02):
appointment with her and I saidwho was an author?
So I scheduled an appointmentwith her and I said I feel like
God wants me to write a book andshe said okay, and she took a
pencil out and she wrote downthe name of the man who does her
book covers, his phone numberand his email address.
And then she took another pieceof paper and she wrote down the
name of her editor, his phonenumber and his email address.
(07:22):
And so, and then we justvisited.
For the rest of the time that Isaw her, yeah, and within 24
hours I had hired both of them.
Within a week the book wasfinished and and in the editing
uh process that's amazing so,yeah, god did it, I.
I have to share this littlepiece yes um, the last trip.
(07:43):
I've taken a few mission tripsto El Salvador and I love the
country and I love the people.
My heart just connected withthem there and one of the
prophecies that was spoken overme I believe it was on the third
trip there was that there werebooks inside of me and that I
was to write a book on thestrategies of heaven.
(08:04):
And I thought, god, what doesthat even mean?
The strategies of heaven,that's a pretty deep topic, and
when I sat down to finish thisbook, as I was doing that, he
was pouring into me notes forthe first book on the strategies
of heaven.
So just one step of obedienceto do this one thing and he's
(08:28):
giving me notes for the nextbook that I haven't finished yet
at this point.
But I just have to say God'sgifts and callings are without
repentance.
He meant it the first time hetold me to write the book and
even though I laid it down for aperiod of time when I picked it
back up there, he was stillready to give me all the
information that he wanted inthe book.
And even though I laid it downfor a period of time when I
picked it back up there, he wasstill ready to give me all the
(08:48):
information that he wanted inthe book, and so I'm thankful
for that.
Kim McIntire (08:52):
He's so good, he is good, he's so good.
One thing that really struck meas I was reading your book it
really pours from the pages thatyou walk in intimacy with the
Lord and you can tell, just pageby page.
It's an everyday, moment bymoment, breath by breath,
(09:15):
relationship with the Lord and Iknow, you know, there are many
people who are believers, fewerpeople who are followers, and in
chapter 29, I feel this truthabout you is just so beautifully
expressed.
(09:35):
The title is If your Heart hasBeen Broken.
Could you share with us aboutthis chapter?
It's about a mission trip to ElSalvador and you are there on
assignment and you find out thatyou're going to be going to a
specific location and that wholejourney had me undone.
(09:56):
I mean, I was weeping throughthe chapter and when I concluded
the chapter I was like, okay,lord, do that in me, do that in
me, lord.
It's amazing that you know theword says those who love me obey
me.
Yes, and that's the evidence ofa true love.
Relationship with our fatherthrough Christ is obedience.
(10:17):
That's right.
So I'm going to.
I'm going to read a scripture,because you opened the chapter
with the scripture and it'spowerful.
It is the King James Versiontranslation.
I will tell everyone so it maynot sound familiar to everyone's
ears, but it's a beautifulscripture Isaiah 61, verses 1
through 3.
The Spirit of the Lord, god, isupon me because the Lord hath
(10:42):
anointed me to preach goodtidings unto the meek.
He hath sent me to bind up thebrokenhearted, to proclaim
liberty to the captives and theopening of the prison to them
that are bound to proclaim theacceptable year of the Lord and
the day of vengeance of our God,to comfort all that mourn, to
(11:05):
appoint unto them that mourn inZion, to give to them beauty for
ashes, the oil of joy formourning, the garment of praise
for the spirit of heaviness,that they might be called trees
of righteousness, the plantingof the Lord that he might be
(11:25):
glorified.
And I thought to myself anychapter that opens with that
scripture is a chapter I'm notskipping.
So just tell us about thismission trip to El Salvador and
that unexpected assignment thatyou received.
Darla Hightower (11:44):
Well, we weren't told our itinerary ahead
of time.
We were just to follow theleaders and believe that they
were following the Lord andtrust them.
So this particular morning wegot up and they said bring your
passport with you, we are goingto the prison.
Now this trip happened during atime when there were travel
(12:06):
advisories saying do not go toEl Salvador.
It's one of the most dangerousplaces in the world.
Ms-13 gangs were there andthere was a travel advisory.
People were saying are youcrazy?
You're going where you knowyou're not supposed to go there.
Did you not read the traveladvisory?
But we knew, because of the waythat God had opened doors for
us to go, that we were to go onthat trip and so I wasn't really
(12:29):
excited about going to prisonbecause it was kind of I'd never
been to a prison before, evenin our country, but in a foreign
country it was just a littlemore unnerving.
And they said bring yourpassport with you.
We have to have them to get in.
And they did.
They took our passports from usat the gate.
The guards did, they checkedeverything out and they kept
them.
While we were in the prison gate, the guards did they checked
(12:51):
everything out and they keptthem while we were in the prison
and we were given instructionsfrom our leader.
They said it was an all-menprison, it was a young-men
prison and they said they'vebeen here for years.
Don't touch them.
Stay close to a male on ourteam at all times, do not wander
away.
And it was a large prison.
So they divided us in two teams.
(13:11):
So my husband and I would beleading worship in one team, on
one half of the prison, andanother friend of ours and his
wife would be leading worship onthe other half of the prison.
So we got in there and westarted singing worship songs.
But my heart just broke forthose young men as I looked at
(13:31):
them and I remember I knewyou're not supposed to touch
them, you're not supposed to doanything like that.
But I went to the translatorand I said I am a mom and I am a
grandma and I just want to givethem a hug.
Could you just tell them I'mhere?
And I just spread my arms open.
I said I want to give you a hug.
(13:53):
If you want a hug, here I am.
And they got in line and theycame through and I just wept
over those young men and prayedover them.
I'm telling you, I'm the onethat came away blessed we go to
be a blessing, but I'm the onethat came away blessed we go to
(14:14):
be a blessing, but I'm the onewho came away blessed, and they
thanked me through thetranslator as we were leaving
for doing that.
Kim McIntire (14:21):
And it was just a hug, you know.
Darla Hightower (14:22):
But with the Lord little is much when God is
in it.
Kim McIntire (14:27):
That's so true.
That's so true.
Darla Hightower (14:29):
So we came out of the prison and I met up with
the other couple who were on theother side and I said, ashley,
you're never going to believewhat happened.
And I told her and I wasweeping, and she said, darla,
that's the same thing thathappened on our side.
She had done the very samething, and we hadn't planned it,
we hadn't talked about it.
It was the Lord.
(14:55):
He just wanted to love on thoseyoung men that day, and they
have been on my heart so manytimes since then.
I have prayed over them and Iknow, I truly believe, that God
impacted their lives somehowthat day through us, and I know
that they made an impact on meas well, for sure, and I'm
hoping to see them in heaven.
Kim McIntire (15:10):
Well, and I was thinking that even on the drive
over to meet you, I was thinkingabout the impact for eternity.
And will you in fact see someof those prisoners that you
ministered to, really that theentire group was ministering to?
(15:31):
What a gift.
Darla Hightower (15:32):
Well, and my prayer is that, the way that God
touched their heart, what theycould do and how many lives they
could touch throughout theirlife, yeah, exactly the
exponential growth that couldcome just from a hug in a prison
one day, you know.
Kim McIntire (15:48):
Yeah, which the hug was obedience Right, and
that's, I think, a place wheregrace empowers us to obey in
ways we could never obey throughself-will.
Darla Hightower (16:05):
Right.
Kim McIntire (16:05):
Because there are some things we can do just by
sheer will, like I am going todo this, but then there are
other things where, if it's nota supernatural empowerment of
grace, it's not happening.
So it's really deeper watersbecause there has to be an
element of surrender there.
Darla Hightower (16:24):
Right.
Kim McIntire (16:24):
You know I mean when I was putting myself in
your shoes, because I do thatwhen I read, I try to put myself
in the author's shoes if it's anonfiction book and I was
asking myself would I have hadthe courage and the obedience to
do what Darla did and her team?
And I would hope that I wouldsurrender in order to receive
(16:46):
that empowerment of grace.
But that I just wanted you toknow, because we haven't had a
chance to talk face to face.
That was really the chapterthat I just took hold of and I
literally was like Lord, do thatin me, do that in me to where?
No matter where I am or where Igo or what assignment you give
me.
My answer is yes, and you talkabout in that chapter that
(17:10):
there's just this supernaturalcompassion welling up in you.
Yes, and I feel like for theissues that we're facing as a
nation, as a city, and the needsthat are all around us, oh Lord
, jesus, fill us with yourcompassion.
There are so many hurting andbroken people.
I want to ask you this question.
(17:33):
I said earlier that it's veryevident that you walk intimately
with the Lord, just through thepages of the book.
Was there something significantin your life that you can look
back on, that you're like.
This marked me and this wasreally a pivotal time of
(17:54):
shifting and moving from abeliever in Jesus to a follower
of Jesus, because there's adifference.
Darla Hightower (18:01):
There is a difference.
Kim McIntire (18:02):
And you know, for some people I feel like there's
a marked season, and then Ithink for others it's more a
process of growth andsanctification.
So how would you explain thatto our listeners?
Darla Hightower (18:11):
Yeah, I agree.
I think it's a process, likeyou said, growth and there was a
time in my life when I reallystarted seriously studying the
Bible out for myself.
Back then we had the Strong'sConcordance and I would get a
verse and I would look everyword up in the Strong's and it
was real tiny font, you had toalmost have a magnifying glass
(18:34):
to read it.
But back then we didn't haveall of this electronic apps on
our phone where we could lookthose things up.
But I dug and dug and dug intothe scriptures and God just
revealed Himself to me, studyingthings and thinking, why do I
believe what I believe?
Is it because I was told thatin church all my life, or is it
because I see that in the Wordmyself?
(18:55):
And I learned a lot just bydigging into His Word.
And then there was a book, aresource that was given to me,
called Biblical Foundations ofFreedom.
It's written by a Messianic Jewnamed Art Matthias and it was
on really on the topic ofdeliverance and I feel like that
(19:18):
could be taught a lot morethese days than I hear it being
taught, and it's a topic thatreally I'm passionate about.
I'm passionate about it becauseI received deliverance in so
many areas of my life, usingthat book as a resource.
I didn't even know that Ineeded in those areas and just
(19:43):
by asking God to show me myheart.
And there's so many times thatif I don't understand what's
going on or something'shappening and I say, I just say
God, show me my heart.
If you are sincere when youpray that prayer, he will show
you.
But I think you know what aboutthe people who never ask Him to
(20:05):
show them their heart, and whatabout the people who he has
shown their heart and they'renot yielding or they're not
obeying, because knowing andobeying are two different things
.
So I just think it's importantthat we listen and obey.
There's a scripture that talksabout that.
You listen and obey.
You can't do one without theother and get that intimacy that
(20:30):
you're talking about.
Kim McIntire (20:31):
Yeah, it's really foundational.
Darla Hightower (20:32):
It is.
Kim McIntire (20:33):
As well as the fear of the Lord.
Right, we talked about thatbefore we went on the air, that
just living in the fear of theLord and the fear of the Lord,
my whole life I've believed isto reverence and worship the
Lord with awe and wonder, justat who he is and recognizing how
(20:54):
majestic he is and lifted upand exalted far above humanity.
And I'm learning that there'smore to it than that and it's
recognizing that our Father Godis loving and kind, gracious,
generous, merciful and forgiving.
But Jesus says in the Gospelsfear him, who can cast your soul
(21:18):
into hell.
And it's a truth about God thatI feel like culturally we've
just ignored, and so it's ahealthy fear that actually
deepens your intimacy becauseyou recognize, I recognize not
just sinning against a person,right, I'm sinning against my
(21:40):
creator, whom I will give anaccount for my life.
Darla Hightower (21:45):
Right.
Kim McIntire (21:46):
And so you know, because intimacy to me is such a
theme of your book I reallywanted I'm glad you shared about
that because the obedience andthe fear of the Lord, as we
talked earlier, it'sfoundational.
So if there's someone listeningand you know you believe in the
Lord and you're in church andyou have a desire to draw closer
(22:09):
to God, go to the Lord inprayer and ask Lord, help me,
obey, I need your Holy Spirit.
I want to live in obedience, Iwant to live in response to your
word and I want to live in thefear of the Lord.
And the fear of the Lord is awonderful, wonderful journey.
And even I feel like and I'vebeen following Jesus for a long
(22:33):
time, but I almost feel like I'mjust beginning to understand
that other side of the fear ofthe Lord Thanks to a book I'm
reading by John Bevere.
I'll just give a shout out forthe Awe of God by John Bevere.
You mentioned a great authorand book as well, so you know,
learning more about God includesreading His Word first, but
(22:53):
also other great authors thathave walked with the Lord a long
time and have learned.
Yes, and we can glean from them.
So let's shift to anotherdirection now.
What would you say was the mostchallenging part of writing
your book?
I know it didn't take you verylong, but can you identify a
(23:14):
challenge that was just you lookback and you're like I'm glad I
pushed through.
Darla Hightower (23:20):
Well, actually the challenge was, you know, I
told you I'd put it down forseveral years when I decided
that's what God wants me to doat this moment, when I was doing
that assignment, just makingthat decision to do it.
Once I did that, it just flowed.
(23:41):
I mean, I don't know how elseto say it.
He just gave it to me, I justmade you know.
Sometimes, when he gives mesongs, it's when I sit down and
make time for Him, when I sitdown to the piano and I just I'm
just there to worship Him andthen a song will come out of
that.
You know.
So it's kind of like that Ithere to worship Him and then a
song will come out of that.
You know.
So it's kind of like that.
I made time for the book and Ijust said Holy Spirit, I want
(24:02):
this book to touch people'shearts and lives and change them
.
You know, I want them to seeyou as healer, I want them to
see you as all these things likeyou were saying, and maybe they
don't know you as that.
But that's what I want thisbook to do and I've prayed over
it.
I'm telling you, if you buy one, just be warned, it's anointed,
because I've prayed over it.
That's right.
It'll be what you need it to be.
(24:23):
He will reveal himself to youthrough it.
So that's my heart in this book.
Kim McIntire (24:28):
I remember the day you came to Rise Up Prayer
Group at my house and you had acopy and we all put our hands on
it and we just prayed over youand over the book and I know
it's already impacted lives, butwe will never know this side of
heaven, will we?
Darla Hightower (24:45):
That's right.
Kim McIntire (24:45):
How many lives are touched by that writing that
God put his hand on.
But I know there will be many.
And what was the most?
What has been the mostrewarding part of writing the
book so far and I know it's onlybeen out for a few months?
Darla Hightower (24:58):
right.
Yeah, it came out in July.
Well, it's something that heput on my heart to do, and just
seeing it finished, you know,that's pretty rewarding and
being able to know that mychildren, my grandchildren, can
read this, mygreat-grandchildren and then
their children, and it's goingto be here.
You know, after I'm gone toheaven, it's going to be here,
(25:20):
and I like that to think, that Ihave that to leave.
You know, in the Old Testamentthey said build these monuments
and put these stones here, sowhen your children ask, you can
say, well, this is where thishappened or this is where that
happened, and there's so manythings.
You know.
It said teach your childrenwhen they're coming in, when
they're going out, when they'resitting down, when they're
rising up, and I want to be ableto leave something like that
(25:43):
for my future generations to seeyou know who is God, who is
this God and what is he like,and so that's part of what I
wanted to do.
Kim McIntire (25:54):
A legacy and a memorial stone yes, right For
the future generations to come.
I know the Lord will honor it.
I want to read a little excerptfrom your book.
Okay, I had a hard timechoosing between chapter 11 and
chapter 29, but I just reallywanted to point out like my
favorite chapter, to let youknow partly why it stood out.
(26:16):
And this one is called it'schapter 11, sit at my feet and
you will find rest.
And you open with Luke 10,verse 41 and 42.
Martha, martha, thou artcareful and troubled about many
things, but one thing is.
And then you go on to Matthew11, verse 28.
(26:40):
And I tend to be busier than Ishould be.
(27:01):
I don't even work outside ofthe home.
A friend of mine years ago,who's my cousin as well, said
Kim, you need to be still andknow that he is God.
And you know, 15 years ago Iwasn't as teachable and got a
little offended.
But this chapter spoke to mebecause you talked about how
(27:23):
worship is rest.
So do you want to talk aboutthat a little bit?
Darla Hightower (27:28):
Well, it's hard because I have a personality
like you.
I have type A personality and Ilike to be busy and about, you
know, doing things for peopleand all of that and um, and
doing as much as I can for theLord and all of those things,
and I have to purposely makemyself be still before him.
And when I'm um really tryingto hear from the Lord on a
(27:54):
specific topic, I might go to aroom and shut the door and put
earplugs in and close my eyesand just say, lord, I don't want
there to be any distractionsand just say, lord, what do you
want to say to me today?
Or Lord, what about this orwhat about that?
And just wait for thatspontaneous thought to come into
(28:18):
my mind that I know didn't comefrom me because of the wisdom
that it's brought in.
So there's different ways thatI do that, but sometimes I just
go to the piano and startplaying and close my eyes and he
may give me a song, some songshe gives me in the middle of the
night.
He'll wake me up with melodiesor lyrics and the song that this
(28:40):
book is based on.
I woke up one morning and I didjust that.
I closed my eyes.
I pictured myself on a warm,sunny beach, because that's one
of my favorite places to be, andJesus was there.
And then I saw him go out of myline of vision.
He came back carrying a guitarand I hadn't played a guitar
since I was young, really youngand he sat on a boulder and
(29:02):
started strumming and I couldhear the melody for this song.
Then lyrics started coming in.
The first four lines came and Iwrote it on an index card
because I kept them on mynightstand.
I didn't want to miss, you know, if God had given me a dream or
spoken something to me, I wantto capture it.
So I had that stack of indexcards and I wrote those four
lines down.
And I just started thanking himfor thank you for speaking to
(29:24):
me today, thank you for takingtime, you know just to speak to
me.
And then more lyrics came and15 index cards later I had, when
the flow stopped, you know.
Then I had to run to the pianoand find the chords and try to
capture the song.
I didn't want to lose it, andso that's what this book is
based on.
The lines for the song are thetitles for the chapters.
Kim McIntire (29:47):
That's so good.
The part that I loved in thischapter says it's at the end of
the first page says corporateworship is wonderful, but the
most intimate worship times Ihave are at home, with me, my
keyboard and the Lord.
Yes, and that resonated with me.
I love church and I love toworship.
(30:08):
I'm in a really enthusiasticchurch and so I enjoy clapping
and raising my hands and dancingin the spirit, but nothing is
better than just me at home inmy prayer room worshiping before
the Lord and he's my audienceof one.
Darla Hightower (30:30):
Yes you're right.
Kim McIntire (30:31):
There's no better place to be than with an
audience of one, Althoughcorporate worship certainly.
The Lord ordains that and wedon't want to neglect that.
But I love that we have that incommon it's a place to rest.
Darla Hightower (30:45):
It is.
Kim McIntire (30:46):
Yeah, worship is a place to rest, and so I
appreciated that as well in yourbook, darla.
What spiritual encouragementwould you like to share with
those who have been listeningtoday?
Is there anything the Lord hason your heart today that you
feel would just really buildsomeone up?
Darla Hightower (31:08):
Well, I would just say I think I've already
said this that His gifts andcallings are without repentance.
If there's anything that he'sput in your heart to do and that
you haven't completed which iswhere I was when I finished this
book I would just encourage youto step out and do that.
He didn't forget about it andhe has a purpose and a plan, and
(31:31):
your obedience could be someoneelse's blessing.
Kim McIntire (31:34):
That's so true.
Well, I know your obedience wasa blessing to me, thank you,
and so I've just been honored tohave you with us for this
episode.
I am excited to see what Goddoes with your book and with
your music.
I know he's just gettingstarted, darla.
Well, thank you.
I just believe that with all myheart.
So, darla, why don't you tellour listeners how they can find
(31:58):
your book?
Darla Hightower (31:59):
They can get it digitally or paperback on
Amazon, okay, and then I havecopies, if they happen to be
local.
Kim McIntire (32:06):
Okay, okay.
And what would be a good way toreach you locally?
Do you have an email orsomething you want to share?
Darla Hightower (32:14):
So it's HightowerMinistries Joplin at
gmailcom.
Kim McIntire (32:18):
Okay, thank you so much, welcome.
Thank you everyone forlistening today.
Be sure to check us out on ourwebsite at itstimedoriseuporg,
our Facebook page or Instagramat the official underscore rise
underscore up.
May God's grace and peace bewith you in Jesus' mighty name.
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