A few hours ago this earth said goodbye to Jill Austin, a very special lady, author, teacher, scholar, potter, spiritual leader, and a very good friend to those who knew her.
I met Jill last July, and was privileged to spend a few days with her and then to talk and correspond with her a few times since. Not only was she looking for advice on the latest gadgets and gismos such as the iPhone and digital camcorders, she was also interested in learning more about blogging and Twitter and other great ways of keeping more in touch with the people she served.
I was also amazed at how she sought to include others in what God was doing through her. I won’t forget the first night of Godstock 2008 when she leaned over before going up to speak and asked for my input about what she was about to say. That just blew me away.
Jill was also incredibly full of life and joy, and continuously spread her love of life to those around her. As one of the breaks from the time spent serving at the conference, we spent an afternoon together tubing on a friend’s lake. At her respectable age, she threw caution to the wind and climbed onto a tube, laughing her head off as we raced around, whipping her through the corners and sending waves and spray everywhere.
After she left Michigan, we’d talked about meeting in California to work through some more ideas. However, she was very busy working on finishing yet another book, and I had myself eyeball deep in a few too many projects than was probably good for me. I wish we’d had more time together, but I’m so thankful for what we had.
I won’t forget her or the last words she sent my way… “love ya.”
Thanks so much, Jill; I love you too! I’m gonna miss you but I’m glad you made it home, and I’m looking forward to seeing you again soon!
Has Jill made an impact on your life? I’d love it if you chimed in and shared a story or two here about Jill.
Jill was a friend of Michele and mine. We loved having her in our home and she will remain one of our most favorite speakers. We miss her.
Six years ago I read an article that Jill Austin had written. It ended with the following prayer that caused me to fall before my Heavenly Father and cry out the same words even to this day: “Lord, let Your prophecies fill my mouth. Let me speak boldly bringing others to repentence, healing, and blessing. God, I ask for the breaker anointing. Like Marie Woodworth Etter let me be a healing evangelist that I would be such a friend of the Holy Spirit that a glory cloud would go with me with signs and wonders following. I want my life to carry a breaker anointing, break out and touch people at their point of need that they can experience break through in their own life.” That was Jill Austin’s life. She will always be an inspiration to me.
One special lady! Thank you for posting this lovely tribute!
I shared my thoughts on my blog: http://instrengths.wordpress.com
“Has Jill made an impact on your life? I’d love it if you chimed in and shared a story or two here about Jill”
Well, I received Matt Sorgers newsletter today – which I rarely read to be honest – with the news about her death. I only saw her once on God TV in a service which was the oddest one I ever saw, but it was so obvious the was a person living and walking as close to God as I imagine a person can be.
I wish so much I would live like that. I found your blog looking for more info on Jill and her life. I’m crying because I so much would like to have what she had (or has more than ever where she is now), be as bold and full of love and compassion and certainly I want to live a long life completing the tasks God has given me.
shes gone straight to HELL HELL where every false prophet will be going