The Trip to Ninevah

 Today I was talking to my husband in the kitchen and we were talking about raising our children. We do this a lot, like any parents who really want to raise their children in the way they should go. We want to be careful that the tools we are using are the right ones. 

One “tool” that came up in discussion is the “first time obedience” tool. This is something we have always wanted our kids to excel at, I mean, who wouldn’t? I would love it if our kids immediately jumped up and did whatever it was they were asked to do, when they were asked to do it, without me having to repeat myself. Of course, while that does happen, it doesn’t always happen. We are still learning and when I say we, I mean Gary and I as well as the kids.

The question was asked, “Why do we want to teach our kids first time obedience?”

Without revealing who said what, here are a couple of our brutally honest answers:

Because I am in a hurry and I need them to move it!

Because then I can say I have children who obey right away. (Ugh, let’s deal with that pride)

Because I get frustrated when they don’t listen.

Next question, “ Do we practice first time obedience ourselves?”

This question was hard to answer. Mostly because we don’t want to say No. Also because we really do try. But while we may get it right, we also fail. We may not be sure we are hearing. We may hear “selectively”. We may let doubt and fear carry us in another direction. We maybe just plain don’t want to do it. 

“How do we respond to our kids when they do not obey right away, or worse, continue to not respond after we repeat ourselves?”

(Ok this is hard to admit, but I came all this way and We are going somewhere sweet so I won’t back down now!)

Well, I try to use choices to get them to move forward but when they don’t I usually end up just picking them up and moving them to where they need to be. I know, you probably can think of twenty better answers (please let me know what they are!) but like I said, brutally honest here. I get frustrated. I get angry. I am anxious about the time, etc. I physically move them.

“How does God deal with us when we do not respond to or obey what we do hear him say?”

Yikes. Well, for me, I know many times I have been given another chance, another opportunity time and time again. Does He get frustrated with me? I don’t think so. I never feel that from Him. And I don’t believe He gets angry either. I also don’t think he is worried about the time. He does, after all, have all eternity at His disposal. 

I don't think I have ever experienced God picking me up and moving me where I need to be. But experience is not To lead us, the Word of God is. I was just about to say that I cannot think of anytime in the Bible that God ever picked someone up and moved them into where they were supposed to be when I realized there is someone! 

Jonah. He was supposed to go to Ninevah. He didn’t just “not go”. He actually ran the other way. Hmmm..... sounds familiar - on so many levels. 

Next question, “How did God do it?” Because if the ultimate Father did it, then there is a right way to do it and He can show me how. I saw something that I don’t think I have ever seen before. God showed Jonah mercy. He took Jonah from where he shouldn’t be and there, in the midst of his disobedience, he moved him to where he should be. Rather than get angry and call down fire and judgement and strike him dead in his rebellion, God swallowed him up in His mercy and brought him to Ninevah. That whole book is about mercy, isn’t it? Check it out.

So, when my son isn’t coming right away to get his shoes on because he is assembling something spectacular with his legos and he is not quite finished and his little brain just can’t let it go, I have a choice. I can get frustrated with him and let my anxiety rise to new heights and disconnect and start yelling. I can put all his stuff in time-out and punish him, which in some cases, might be the answer, just saying. Or maybe, just maybe, this can be a moment when I can show him mercy. Not by grabbing him and pulling him away from his project and towards the door. But by coming along side of him, connecting with him, helping him get his creation to at least a good stopping place and then move him toward obedience. I think that is showing mercy. I think it takes putting my agenda down for two measly minutes and connecting with his heart, reminding him that our relationship is important and that so is he. Fill up his love tank, it only takes a minute, and then draw him into what we need to do.

I realize that every child is different and the way their little mind works is unique and not quite fully developed. As a parent I want to help them navigate life and learn all those important things, like, sometimes you just have to stop and do stuff because it has to be done even if you don’t want to do it. And I am still figuring out how to do that. First time obedience is something I want my children to learn, but I need the Holy Spirit to teach me that very thing and rely on Him to show me when it’s time for that lesson and when it’s time for mercy. Because even those hard lessons can and should be done in love, not frustration, in wisdom, not anxiety, and in peace, not anger and fear. 

It’s such a different approach than what I grew up with. I have to remind myself that I was raised by people from a different time in a different world and they used what they knew to raise me. Although many of those lessons and truths were and are important and good, my list of what I instill in my children cannot be formed only by my past experience because I do not know what the future holds for them. God does. And he made my kids. So He knows them and their future together along with all that they need to be and do all that He created them to be and to do. He gave us to them as parents and gives us everything we need to be the parents they need, if we will just look to Him. I must treat them like the royalty they are if I do not want to raise them as paupers. I must look to the King to show me how. Because my own ideas of royalty have been skewed by my upbringing, by my culture, and other influences. True sons and daughters of the king are strong, compassionate, powerful, champions, defenders, fighters, wise, righteous peace makers. As their parent, I want everything I do to instill that into them, to agree with God, to move with God as He raises them. 

And to do that, it must be my own reality first.

1/14/19

The Rose of Sharon

A few days ago I was listening to a podcast from Bethel. Bill Johnson was talking about having the presence of God on you and so much power that when you walk by people they are healed because your shadow falls on them.  Just like Paul in the Bible.  He said, "Your shadow will release whatever overshadows you."  This struck me so I wrote it down and it has been on my mirror all week.  It made me think about what overshadows me. What Am I immersed in? What am I putting myself under. Because that is what I am sharing with every person that I come into contact with.

Tonight I went t the first session of the Passion Conference at Life Church St Charles and saw Brian Simmons.  I have heard him speak before on the Song of Songs, which is what he was talking about tonight. He did say something that grabbed me by the heart and made my soul sit up. In the beginning of Chapter 2 the Shulamite says, I am the Rose of Sharon. Brian explained that the word used here for Rose has another meaning and that is, to be overshadowed! WOW! Then He said that Sharon meant, The Theme of His Song. So Basically, I am the theme of His song and He is singing over me, overshadowing me. Oh to hear this song! To hear His voice singing over me! 

On the way home I was thinking about the Rose.  It's funny cause, as my husband can attest to, I do not like roses.  Don't get me wrong, they are beautiful and smell amazing. But in my experience, more often than not, tragedy always strikes.  The Rose begins beautifully as its bud begins to open and you get the faintest whiff of their soft fragrance.  Then, the stem begins to bend, just below said bud, and the Rose bows its head. The flower does not bloom. So sad.

People's hearts are like that.  We stand so tall and beautiful, gazing up at the Son and we begin to bloom and mature, opening up and offering our fragrance in worship. Then, for one reason or another, our heads become bowed. We bend to the artificial light and fake love around us. We become bowed down under the winds of change, stress, tension, business, circumstances. We see nothing but the ground. And we lose our bloom. We stop opening up to the sun. Our fragrance becomes foul.

So tragic.

But when we lift up our heads and see Him overshadowing us, we open to Him. 

This is Life. 

This is maturity. 

May my head be always lifted back to return His gaze, to hear His song over me, to bloom.

It Will Not Be Taken From Her

I  had an interesting thought today while reading to my son a children's version of the story of Mary and Martha. You know the one. Where Mary is sitting and listening to Jesus and Martha is working. Then Martha goes whining to Jesus (per the book) "make Mary help me". The words of Jesus I am sure can be quoted by many of us. Here's my thought:

So often I concern myself with how I can better be like Mary. Or I concern myself with how not to be like Martha but to instead choose to be like Mary. These are worthy pursuits. Here's the new thought - do I choose to not compare myself with others who seem to be just doing nothing? Do I elevate the direction God has me going and the things He has directed me to do in such a way that I use it as a standard to judge what others are doing or where they are at in their journey with God? I don't think it was wrong of Martha necessarily to be making lunch for everyone or whatever she was doing. I think the point was that she should not have wanted Mary to be deprived of the encounter she was having with Jesus just because Martha was busy. Sometimes we need to sacrifice our jealousy and haughty bitterness on the altar and instead see the treasure who is listening at the feet of Jesus becoming more like Him and bless them! And maybe even make them lunch.

Judgement

Let me pre-qual by officailly declaring that I do not claim to have the full truth on this nor do I know what the heck I am even talking about. But that this is where I am on the journey...

Without an understanding of God's Judgement you can swing many different wrong ways. These are two extreme pictures but hopefully you will see the picture I am trying to paint.

If you think God is still out to clobber us, his beloved, you will live in fear of a Holy God even though you have been adopted, grafted into the vivne, accepted in the beloved, etc. Your image of Him is that of a fierce, hard Father who's love is conditional, who is stingy when it comes to mercy and whose word is weak. His Mercy and forgiveness is, in your perception, conditional upon your behavior/ability - along with His provision, protection and other blessings. Your prayers sound more like a guilty beggar pleading with a distant powerful King whose heart is far from his people, than a bride speaking to her Loving Bridegroom. As a result of seeing yourself this way, you also see others this way. After all, doesn't God love everybody the same? This makes us all worms - vile sinners at the capricious mercy of a moody, angry God. If you know there is the judgement of a Holy God against His enemies, and you are still afraid of Him, you do not have a revelation of his love for you - in short, you think you are God's enemy.

If you think that there is 100% no judgement whatsoever you will not have a revelation of salvation. After all, if there is no judgement, what have we been saved from? Your answer to Paul's question "in light of God's grace, should we continue sinning?" is "Sure why not!" In extreme cases, your life spirals down a string of compromises and eventually you may begin to wonder what the point of your salvation was anyway. You don't feel alive but instead, feel distant from God and wonder why that could be if He really does love you and forgive you for everything. You have been lulled into a false sense of well-being. Sure you escaped hell, but do you know Him? You have only accepted a part of who God is and what He is like. Granted, the revelation of God's love and mercy for you is the most foundational part necessary for being able to embrace all of who He is, however, if you stop there, your perception of Him will become pretty much whatever you want it to be that will fit around your own brain. What you will have is a naked foundation with building materials scattered about that has not fulfilled its purpose or seen its potential. You will be like a house boasting of a door that you have no hinges to hang it upon.

Before I talk about judgement, I want to give a few of the parameters - to back up and look at the big picture.

God - He is Love. He is our Father. He is King over all and He is the Ultimate Just Judge. His desire is to Love and to be loved. When we love we display something of the character of God. This brings Him glory. To rightly love is to rightly display the character and attributes of God, Who is love. This is done by loving God, worshipping Him, and loving each other the way that God loves us. This is also done by receiving love from God - in other words, by allowing or embracing God's love for us. His love is so deep, so powerful and so unconditional. We can never fully comprehend it but what little we can grasp empowers us fully to love others in a way that we don't even have the capacity to understand. Many times this overwhelming love, this inconceivable way, causes us to display, or desire to dislplay the characteristics of God that our little heads can't understand. In these moments, we can either go with our notion of what is right and deserved and choose not to do what our heart is strangely suggesting - or we can abandon our own knowledge of love and let the strange crazy out-there powerful love of God flow through us in actions, deeds and words that defy our own perception of what is deserved or even appropriate.

Satan - There is an enemy of God who does not want lovers to exist. He hates love and will do all that he can to destroy it. After all, his enemy is love. Satan's goal is to destroy anything that gives his enemy love, glory, attention, pleasure, etc. If it makes God happy, he wants to destroy it. If it makes God look good and displays God's glory, he wants to discredit it and steal the honor. If it brings God worship and/or draws more lovers to God, he wants to kill it. If he cannot destory, steal or kill Love he will detroy steal or kill anything that loves. He is Hate - the anti-love. I will not give him the title "opposite" because for something to be opposite it would have to be as stong or at least competatively stong in power - but hate is completely powerless against love.

In the beginning Love created Lovers. He began to create a display of beauty that had never before been seen in this form. He wanted to display Himself. He wanted someone to love and to reveal Himself to. He gave the lovers attributes of Himself, of love. One of those attributes was choice. This is amazing to think of because it speaks of how it is God's choice to love us. For His love to be rightly displayed in the earth, love had to have a choice. Love had to be love in order to love and to be loved.

But everything He created, hate tried to destroy. Hate deceived the lovers into thinking that love was not trustworthy, that love had not given them a choice. Hate told the lovers that Love had lied to them in order to trick them into loving only Him. Hate wanted them to believe that Love had made love-slaves, not objects of affection. Hate said - God is not love. And the lovers believed hate. Hate was not looking for lovers for himself. His only thought was to kill Love. His deceit had tricked the lovers into thinking that a selfish, self-focused life was what love was, not a giving sharing engaging life. He told them that Love was selfish and thought only of His own desires and that they could and should be selfish lovers of themselves too. The problem is that you cannot love if you don't have someone to love. The Enemy, Hate, found a way to get the lovers to love anything but Love Himself. And whatever display of love was left, he began to twist and pervert so that the lovers would equate love with pain, betrayal and evil perversions instead of purity, safety, comfort, peace and life.

Now they had given the whole world over to Hate. From that moment on, the first thing a lover would feel would be suspicion and distrust. Their ability to freely love and to be loved was stifled and destroyed. Their hearts would always carry the scar of this choice and they would pass it on to their children. Hate's plan worked - or it seemed to, for the moment. Hate had discredited Love - but there was something Hate had forgotten about Love.

Lovers became proud and envious, impatient, cruel, selfish, short-tempered, bitter and flighty. Lovers began to enjoy the sorrows and pains of others, and the joys of others only made them even more envious. Lovers could not trust. Lovers could not hope. Lovers would only look out for themselves. The Lovers could not see what they had become. They no longer knew what God was and were suspicious of His character. They would try to love but without receiving True Love, they failed. And the seeds of Hatred were planted in the heart of every lover from that time on because they had chosen Hate and they now belonged to him.

But God did not abandon them. They were His creation and they were a part of Him. Each one was made in His image. The enemy was destroying that image and every perversion, every lie, every deceit, every distrust and despair was an affront to God and a mockery of Love. The enemy had spent centuries trying to re-write the DNA of the lovers. If it wasn't for the mercy of God - the true, real, strong, generous mercy of God on behalf of the lovers, His created ones - the enemy would have suceeded. But the creative power of God and the nature of love turned the hearts of men toward their maker. With hearts turned toward God, He could, right in the middle of enemy territory, display His Glory. And His glory revealed His character. And His character is Love. So He delivered, gave light, brought hope, fulfilled promises proving Himself trustworthy, and He did all this even when it was not merited showing the lovers even more of His love for them. Through the centuries He continuously declared Who He was and passionately wooed back the lovers.

But they were in bondage and they belonged to Hate. Love had only one way to set them free. Hate had captured them by telling lies. Love would set them free by showing them the truth. When the world was created, it belonged to love. Love gave Himself and the world to the lovers. The lovers surrendered the world and themselves to Hate. Hate held the world and the lovers captive. The only way Love could have them back was to redeem them. Love had to make the ultimate display in the earth. Otherwise the lovers would belong to Hate forever.

Love is Pure. It is completely Holy and Righteous. Love defines what is right and seperates what is right from what is wrong. That which is right or righteous is seperated and becomes Holy or set apart. These words are more than ideas and definitions. They are the fabric of our very existence. That is why no matter how hard anyone tries they will never be able to re-define life without some principle of right and wrong. People who try to create an environment where no one can tell anyone what is wrong and what is right will end up with chaos because invariably someone will determine that some thing is "inappropriate" or "offensive". They will always end up using some sort of guidelines or structure. Whoever defines that structure will invariably place a footprint of sorts, of their own character or personality, on that environment. God, when He created the world and the lovers, put His character and personality in the very fabric of this plane of existence. The very order of nature and elements bears testimony to His attributes and the truth of Who He is. This is why Romans 1:20 says "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Since God is the One who created this world and everything in it, it is only right, fitting and it automatically results, that the rules which apply were not just made by Him but are what they are because that is what He is - who He is. When Love redeemed us, we were brought out of the domain of darkness and were translated back into the Kingdom of Love. Before we were redeemed we were doomed to walk in the domain of darkness, stumbling about, never trusting love, living in despair and suspicion. Now we are in the Kingdom of Love but our perception of God and of Love must be corrected and that is something that only God can do.

So God continues to show us the truth and reveal true Love in all its glory. Everytime He reveals Himself we are shocked at how different He is than what we thought. He has many lies to dispell and many truths to reveal. As we are delivered, set free from bondage and healed we begin to trust Him more. As we begin to trust Him, a hope rises in our hearts that there could be more - that God really might actually like us and that we will be able to one day love freely and without fear. The more we realize that we belong to Love and that He will not let us go, the more secure we are in His love, the more able we are to enjoy Him, His blessings, His life - we are able to receive His Love. As we receive His love, we are able to love Him back. After all, unless He loves us, we do not know the first thing about what love is. All we have are twisted impure images that may resemble something like love but are self-based and full of self-preservation, fear and pride.



Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude. It is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (I Cor 13)

What is your Treasure?

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:21

This has always been taught in my hearing as wherever your money is that is where your heart will be and conversely wherever your heart is that is where you will put your money.  What you spend your money on reveals something about your heart.

Sounds pretty right.  And there is great validity and proof to back that up.  But let me propose another angle.  What is your treasure?

Thinking about this released me from being tied to money as the great definer of who I am and what I love or consider important.  No longer is money to be what judges me and deems my heart worthy.  No, money is a tool and it has no life.  

If I say my treasure is my family, the people that I love, and if this is true then you will find that this is where my heart will be.  If my heart is always with my husband then guess what, He must be my treasure.

Your treasure doesn’t have to be money and money doesn’t define what your heart is after - UNLESS of course your treasure IS money and your heart is after riches or seeks security from it.  Then there is a whole other heart issue that needs to be dealt with.  

So there is truth that money and your use of it can indicate where your heart is at, but let’s not limit our understanding to it just being money.  Otherwise we may not only miss seeing the real treasure in our lives and realizing the state of our heart but we may also be a slave to the money mentality.

But that’s for another blog entirely.....

Let’s look at the context.

This verse is something that Jesus said - about five minutes after he taught us how to pray.  He was talking about how we shouldn’t make big impressive speeches for those around who may hear but to pray directly to God as a Father and even in secret.  He gives instruction that when you fast not to let everybody know in order to gain recognition and impress others. He says people who do this have already received their reward. Then He say to instead, “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...” 

So what does Jesus define as the Treasure?  Well, for certain he is not even talking here about money at all.  He is talking about a personal interaction between you and Father God.  He’s is talking about a relationship.  He is talking about recognition and reward from our Daddy.  He says store it up because if you do this, guess what happens to your heart??!?!?  

Do you mean to tell me that all that striving to keep my mind focused on godly principles wont‘ be what attaches my heart to God?  That all my giving and time spent working is not going to make me fall in love with Him?  That doing miracles and preaching to the world and giving and other good works are not storing up treasure in Heaven?  Do you mean that treasure is not a chest full of gold and a mountain of pearls with large trophy looking chalices of silver encrusted with jewels??

Yup.

So, what is your treasure?  Jesus gave a sweet picture of what true everlasting treasure is - the one thing that we can pursue that will be eternal and beyond earthly value.  It’s our relationship with the Father.  And the more we pursue intimacy and communication with Him, the more we invest our hearts in the eternal.  And a natural result of that , by the way, is that the things of earth won’t seem to have the same hold and control over us that they used to.  Because our home is becoming more there than here.

And that is a beautiful thing.

Feeling Like Cinderella

 “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

And if worry cannot accomplish a little thing like that,

what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?”

Luke 12:25-26 NLT

Do you remember that one part in Cinderella when the Step-Mother has told Cinderella that she can go to the ball?  She is so elated and so very thankful until Step-Mother finishes her sentence - IF you finish your chores.  Cinderella being a good manager of her time and knowing well her tasks assures her that she will be able to do all and still attend in “something suitable to wear”.  Of course we know what happens, those few chores suddenly get put by due to the step-sisters and then Step-Mom adds on the Tapestries!!!! (but I just...Do them again!!) 

Ever have a day like that? That was my day today.  I was fixing to go home early because the boss said - if you finish up you can leave early.  I was very excited with the holiday ahead of me and knowing that my husband was at home with the day off, I was “elated and so very thankful”. Even with the IF in place I was sure I could make it to an early train.  I had everything wrapped up with a bow thirty minutes ahead of time and was doing a little extra interruptible work just waiting for the half-hour to fly by when all of a sudden step-sisters came creeping in out of nowhere.  A pile of tasks materialized in my inbox each one screaming for immediate attention and none of them willing to wait until I returned from the holiday.  As my colleague likes to say “TISNF” (That Is So Not Fair)! 

So now what? Cinderella is completely deflated.  She knows there is no way she is going to make that train...ahem...to the ball and even if she could, she has noting to wear. If Cinderella was not a fairy-tale character she probably would have thrown down her broom and declared the injustice of it all.  Or perhaps she would have continued working but all the while grudgingly and muttering distasteful things under her breath.  After all was finally finished, she would find the mice with a new dress for her and perhaps feel a little bad about the foul atmosphere she had created for herself as she sweated away at the tapestries - but what a foul mood she would have been in. I doubt the Prince would have found her very charming or lovely. Oh wait, that would have been MY reaction!  

Yes, I muttered and as much as I wanted to have a good attitude, I found myself getting more and more cranky.  Woah! What are you doing? Stop everything!  I heard that little voice say - you know the one - the Holy Spirit, whose voice sounds like a little voice but when He speaks and we listen is more like a rushing wind tearing through barriers and bindings setting us free.  And that was what he was about to do - set me free.

“Who is the Lord of All Time? Can He not, care for you?” 

Yes. Yes He can.

“Calm down.  Everything will work out. Do it for me.”

How does He do that - He knows just what to say.  Calm Down.  I was getting myself worked up into a tizzy and losing my ability to focus, concentrate and produce with excellence. Everything will work out.  So what if I miss this train.  Theres another in an hour that is still earlier than normal. And isn’t it a blessing and a gift to leave early (not a privilege or a right)?  Yes. Do it for me. That shifted my focus from the unjust creatures who had waited until the last minute to blast me with urgency and place it on my Friend - the One who helps me. The very best Friend.

So, as my sister and I like to say, the mice came.  I worked calmly through each task and a few actually ended up being delayed until after the holiday so it turned out to NOT be as bad as first thought.  Now here I am on a train which is a bit later than originally planned but earlier than usual. The work is done and I am on my way home to see my Prince.

An even deeper truth is this...

 I am clothed not is the rags that my own self efforts made but in a glorious incorruptible robe of righteousness that my Heavenly Father (not little mice or even a fairy Godmother) made for me.  And I am on my way to the Wedding feast to be with the Bridegroom! 

Animal Instincts

Jude 10 “ But these people scoff at things they do not understand.  Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction.”

OK so My dog just spent a good part of the day chasing a fly around the house - and loving every minute of it.  He can’t help it.  No matter how we try to help him remain calm when there is a fly in the house, he goes bizerk. The only way to stop him is to either distract him with his first love, food, or throw him in the bathroom and close the door.

If we are honest with ourselves I think most of us can say that when something is driving us crazy, at times it is almost desireable.  Saying that it rained during our vacation isn’t enough, it had to have poured - and if we were lucky, there was a tornado.  We can’t just have a lot to do this weekend before company comes, we must have a thousand things to do and company must not only be coming early but be the difficult kind that are hard to please.  A co-worker may tell a story similar to our own experience but for some reason ours is always worse.  Why is that?  Why do we feel the need sometimes to “out-suffer”?  Do we think it makes us seem stronger than we are?  Is is because we want so much to impress our audience?  Do we do it for the sympathy?

I once very clearly heard this question in my heart, 

“Why do you want sympathy - you already have my Compassion.”

I had been going through a really hard time (not just a hard time - a really hard time) and would not be consoled.  I wanted my anger.  I needed my pain.  I refused to loosen my grip on my sorrow.  If I told you what had happened you would have agreed with me.  I had a right to be angry, a reason for sorrow and of course I should be in pain.

When our loved ones are in these deep dark places.  We want to crawl in with them and console them.  Not because we ourselves want to be in the hole too but because - if we really love them - we want to help them come out of it.  How much more our Wonderful Father.  He loves us deeply and as good as it feels to have someone validate our pain and frustration, He is not about leaving us in the hole.

I am not saying that we shouldn’t validate someone’s feelings.  Feelings are very real.  But friend, I have no desire to heap more mud on you just because your stuck in the mud.  I am about helping you out.  Yes, you are  full of mud and it looks smells and feels horrible!  But all the sympathy in the world will not get you out of the mud.

Sympathy can help the “outsider” relate to the “victim” and connect in a way that can equip the outsider to help the victim.  But that is all.  It says, “I see you and you need help”. Sympathy does not deliver.

Compassion on the other hand is action. It says, “I see you and I am going to help you.” Compassion is harder to swallow sometimes. Compassion reaches a hand out with intent to rescue.  When that hand is God, there is no way rescue will not happen unless the victim refuses to be rescued.  What keeps a victim from receiving help?

Fear. 

The Army of the Lord

Here’s another term I have heard many times that I have to wonder about.  “The Army of the Lord”.  Do you know where this comes from?  The first place I found was in Joel chapter two.  It describes this great and terrible army of horse-like creatures whose very appearance causes even the strongest man to pale in terror. Yikes.  Then in 2 Kings chapter 6 we see the story of Elisha asking the Lord to open the eyes of his servant to see “those who are with us”. This army was a multitude of horses and chariots of fire.  

Many times God is referred to in the old testament as the Lord of Hosts.  I like to think about those hosts as described above and realize how great an army He commands!  Huge, terrifying, powerful, numerous, and kind of freaky looking.  

Let it sink in a little.  The Commander of the Hosts of Heaven is the lover of your soul.  

I think that if I was under some kind of attack the army of the United States would not likely come to my aid.  Of course if the whole country were under attack they would, its what they are there for.  But if it was just me - nope.  But that is because the power of even the US military is limited and they are hindered as well as empowered by their mission and purpose.

The mission and purpose of Heaven is another thing entirely.  If I am under attack and the enemy of His Love is invading, The Commander of Heaven rises to rescue and save me!  He is my defender and look at the arsenal at His disposal!! Wow.  And yes, he will come and rescue even if it is just little ol’ me because I am His beloved!  The Bride of Christ! And His heart is toward me.  

Contemplate this - this is the creator of the universe coming to your aid:

“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry for help before Him came into His ears.

Then the earth shook and quaked; and the foundations of the mountains were trembling and were shaken, because He was angry.

Smoke went up out of His nostrils, and fire from His mouth devoured; coals were kindled by it.

He bowed the heavens also and came down with thick darkness under His feet........

From the brightness before Him passed His thick clouds, hailstones and coals of fire.

The Lord thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered His voice.

He sent out His arrows, and scattered them, and in flashes in abundance, and routed them.

Then the channels of water appeared, and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke Oh Lord, at the breath of your nostrils.

..He took me. He drew me up...He delivered me from my strong enemy.”

Psalm 18

And that’s just Him - didn’t even need the army for that one ;)

I think somewhere along the line we got this crazy idea in our head that we were His army.  I really don’t see it.  I know there is the whole analogy of wearing the armor of God and Paul talks about doing battle with spiritual weapons.  I believe that.  But I don’t want to forget that He has an army that I cannot see that is great and terrible and He is more than willing to wield it in my defense.  

I understand the whole - we have the authority on earth - principle and what He wants to be done here needs to be declared by us as the authority in this world.  but are we the army?  If so, I would imagine we are captains.  Captains are over the troops but under the commander.  Wait, you may say, there are an awful lot of us, how can we all be captains? If you let yourself think about that question for a  while you may begin to feel overwhelmed.

If one of us can put a thousand to flight - you’ve heard this - how many are under our command?  and if two of us increase the number exponentially, again, how many are under our command?  I have never heard of anyone’s battle being delayed because the Host of heaven was busy elsewhere so I am inclined to think that “host” is a bigger number than I can fathom.

So we can command the Host - but wait, we are under the Commander.  This means that we only do what He commands.  So we don’t go dreaming up battle plans and whipping out our epaulettes whenever we feel like it.  No, we submit ourselves to the Master and Commander and seek His directives.  We listen to hear what He is saying - and say that.  We watch and see what He is doing and follow. We wait. 

Who is the Army of the Lord? 

We are - and then there is the rest of the army.....

A City and a Bride?

The Bride of Christ.  Its a phrase we have heard many times - or perhaps very few depending on your circle of friends.  The most well known reference is probably the one in the book of Revelation. But today I read one in the book of Isaiah.  Yes, Isaiah.  I am one of those people who love to read the old prophets.  Don’t get me wrong, I bathe myself in the New Testament frequently but still I dip back into the old.  Its full of rich stuff and lots of promises - all of which Jesus came to fulfill.  Its constantly talking about Him and although the references can be hidden, He reveals Himself and His relationship with us to the seeking ones even in the old prophets.  Such was the case today.

“Never Again will you be called “The Forsaken City” or “The Desolate Land” Your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight” and “The Bride of God” for the Lord Delights in you and will claim you as His bride.  .... Then God will rejoice over you as a Bridegroom rejoices over His Bride.” (Isaiah 62:5 NLT)

I love the imagery of the City.  I know this was spoken originally to a people of an actual city but it was also a prophetic word given by the Holy Spirit to the people of God.  As you know, the Word of God is incredibly full and multifaceted. So when David talks about being poured out like water he may be speaking of his own self during a terrible season of his life but prophetically he was speaking of the Messiah Who would pour out His life like a drink offering.  When Kills a lamb to clothe Adam and Eve, it was also a prophetic act which spoke of the Lamb of God who would be sacrificed for us.  So when I see this reference to a city when God is prophetically speaking to HIs people.  Its easy to see He is talking about me, about us, His people.  Because His Words are eternal. 

I love the imagery of the city because it seems a more comprehensive portrayal of us as people.  Imagine if you will, any major city in America with its diverse population - diverse not only in ethnicity but even from person to person. No one is the same, we are all unique.  Given that His City - His people - are the people of God, those who bear His name, it is intriguing to me to think about.  “From every tribe and tongue and people and nation you have made us a kingdom of priests unto our God.”  What an amazing people!  

Then theres the personal level - Its like it includes me in all of my daily context. My weaknesses, my failures, my strengths, my worship, my hidden alleys of filth, my sparkling capital steps, the railway of my mental meandering,  my storage houses of memories and pain, my factory of offense, my soup kitchen of acceptance and my orphanage of random things.  When I say all that I am, I imagine a city. 

And He loves me - all that I am.  He “takes great delight in me”. He calls me His bride - his very own.  I belong to Him. Wow.

Down by the Riverside

(My husband is on the Mississippi with the IL Army National Guard
This is an excerpt from a letter to him.)


I know it is probably little comfort to tell you that your presence there (as a unit) is probably giving a lot of people peace of mind. The more I think if it, another effect presents itself in my mind.

Remember when I told you that I liked it when you wore your hat (or uniform) in public and people could see that you are a veteran? Remember why? Because it gives people the opportunity to direct their gratitude and appreciation, but also to remind them that our guys are still out there defending freedom, fighting for liberty. This, when people rise to the occasion, can instill in them a sense of honor and patriotism and even gratefulness. When I think of the fact that there are IL National Guard troops on the Mississippi there to help, prepared to do what they can to help no matter what does or does not happen, I get that same kind of feeling. I wonder if there are folks up and down the river right now thinking, "we are not alone in this".

Even the faintest echo of unity can inspire hope. Hands united to work together, to be there for each other, can strengthen a resolve, give determination a boost and affirm in us the value of life, liberty and the pursuit. I can determine to work hard and build a home for my family. I can do all that I can to strengthen the defense of that home and insure that it will be there for years to come. But when my neighbor or better yet, a stranger, comes to my aid when that home is threatened, I believe there is a bond that forms. Your neighbor, that stranger, becomes your brother, part of your family. He will stand beside you and toil and fight to defend you. And when it is his home that is threatened, you will stand with him, not because you owe him, although you do, but because he is your brother.

When the National Guard comes to places like the tiny town you are in and, strangers that you are, you stand hand in hand with the people there, or even in their stead, against the threat - be it man made or not, something happens. These folks cannot repay you by coming up here and piling sandbags or building and maintaining levees in these land locked areas. But one day, inspired by the actions that saved their homes, they may answer the call to be like their heroes, to be a Guardsman.

I hope you enjoyed this contemplation. I hope that while patrolling in the middle of the night and your mind wanders to comforting thoughts of home, that you also take a minute and think of the Citizen Soldiers to come, who may become heroes because you guys are there now.

Coming Home

When she was a little girl

and daddy went away

She would anticipate his return

each and every day

and when from window, door or stoop

she would see him from afar

out she would run to greet him

as he stepped out of the car

deep in his pockets her little hands

would search until she found

the treasure he would bring her

that he bought while traveling around

Then up in his arms he would sweep her

and a kiss she would plant on his face

and there was no sweeter thing to him

then returning to that place



Year after year as time would fly

on trip after trip he would go

every time she was there to greet him

inch upon inch she would grow


(to be continued)

Muir Woods, Caifornia

When God made the tallest living things on the planet ....

...He made trees.

Finding the Secret Place

Intimacy with God
by Ray Watson
Article printed in ICFM Faith Report - August 2001

Turn us Lord

In 1997 God spoke to me and said, "I want to use you to turn the hearts of My people back to Myself." I said, "Why, Lord?" and He said, "Because their hearts are everywhere."
The heart needs to be captured. We need a fresh encounter with love. We need to experience God in such a way that our hearts are captivated by Him. Only then will we turn to Him with hearts that are passionate, worshiping in spirit and in truth. The Psalmist prayed, "Turn us Lord, and our hearts will be turned." I believe God gave us music as one of the means to awaken our hearts toward Himself. There is power in music to ignite the heart in worship. That is its created purpose.
I think the church is ready for a fresh emphasis on worship. I sense a hunger for reality in worship that goes far beyond what we have become accustomed to. The deepest part of God is calling to us to be with Him, and our songs must reflect this. If a song doesn't move us deeply in some way then deep isn't calling to deep. Only songs birthed in His presence can bring that presence to us. Only songs birthed in heaven will leave us feeling like we have been there. Songs written out of passion will bring that passion into our worship services. I can't think of a worship song I've written that hasn't reduced me to tears in the process. There is surrender in tears. When tears can flow freely the heart is yielded and is easily touched. If we don't have intimate moments in our corporate worship services where people cry silently as their hearts are yielded to Him, then their hearts are not being touched.
There is a new sound coming into the earth today.- it is the sound of heaven. What does this "heavenly sound" sound like? There is glory on the voice of someone who has been there. You can tell if they have been there or if they haven't. I personally believe there are two elements that will identify this fresh wind of God's spirit in our worship, and those two elements are spontaneity and intimacy. Both these elements release the glory of God's presence in our midst in a way that a song constructed any other way just cannot. The new sound will carry an element of spontaneous worship - songs that are birthed from hearts so captivated with God, that the human vessel simply becomes a conduit of His presence. There is something about the human voice and its capacity to carry the sense of God's presence - it is hard to explain, but I'm sure we have all experienced it. There is a hunger in the heart of God's people for more intimacy in worship, and I believe this cry is birthed in the heart of God Himself. The Lord is calling us to greater intimacy as part of our preparation for the day when both the Spirit and the Bride will say, "Come." I believe the return of Jesus will be ushered in by a church that has found her way into the bridal chambers of heaven and whose passion demands a consummation of the marriage. "There will be no more delay." The Bride has made herself ready.
I think the challenge for the modern day psalmist is to find the presence of God, live there, and write songs that come from a heart that is obviously experiencing what the song is about. This will in turn allow the congregation to share corporately in the moment of intimacy that gave birth to the song. The congregational worship will rarely rise above the personal love walk of the song leader, or of the worship circumstances in which the song was birthed. Moses' own personal meeting place with God became the place where God met with the people. Our responsibility to the people is to have our own walk with God. We cannot lead the congregation into places we ourselves have not been. As a songwriter, your intimacy with the Lord becomes a place of intimacy for others when you put it in a song. Songs received in the presence of God carry God's presence. We must first eat of the holy things before we can minister the holy things. We must partake of the altar before we can serve from the altar. David went into the house of God and ate the Presence Bread. Then he was able to feed those who were with him. When our heart is touched with the presence of God we carry that presence with us wherever we go. Our place of meeting with God becomes the place where others too can meet with Him. It is an awesome privilege and responsibility.
There is a cry today in the hearts of God's people for greater intimacy in worship - for songs that are God-breathed, songs that are birthed in another world and can bring that world to us, songs that are so touched by His presence that they capture every heart for Him. There, in the secret place, we are captivated by His love and consumed with His purpose for our lives. There, in the intimacy of worship, we will lay down our brief lives in pursuit of the greatest privilege ever offered to man - to be lovers of God.

Copyright 2001 Ray Watson Secret Place Ministries
P.O. Box 27 077, Mt. Roskill, Auckland, New Zealand.
All rights reserved.

Soaking in His Presence - John Arnott

Ever since the Holy Spirit fell on us in January of ‘94, we have been “soaking” in the presence of God. As people have soaked in God’s presence, they have experienced profound heart changes. Their marriages have been healed, their fears dispelled, depressions and sicknesses have left and lives have been transformed. Our ministry teams continue “soaking” people to this day, nearly ten years later, as they pray for folks waiting for prayer on our prayer lines.
But What Is “Soaking”? During previous revivals people referred to it as “waiting on the Lord” or “tarrying” as they lingered expecting God’s revival blessings. Although “soaking” includes waiting on the Lord, in this present move of the Spirit it means much more than that. To “soak” in God’s presence is to rest in His love rather than to “strive” in prayer. As the person receiving a touch from God begins to connect with the reality of the Holy Spirit’s presence, he often responds by falling or simply lying on the floor. As he rests expectantly in God’s presence, often the Holy Spirit hovers over the person to reveal more of God’s love and to renew and repair areas of a person’s life.
As the believer soaks in God’s presence, the Lord takes control and begins to draw his attention to God’s word either in the scriptures or through internal audible impressions or pictures he sees in his mind’s eye.
Carol likes to compare soaking to making pickles. A few years ago, I found a classical Greek word study on the Greek words bapto, meaning to dip, and baptidzo, meaning to immerse. The article used the illustration of making pickles. The recipe called for the raw fruit to be dipped in boiling water to blanch or sterilize the cucumber, using the word bapto which means “to dip in and out quickly.” Then it called for the cucumber to be immersed, using the word baptidzo, and soaked in the brine and the pickling solution for several weeks.
What happens during this soaking time is that the marinade or the pickling solution soaks deep into the flesh of the cucumber until it takes on the flavor of the pickling solution so that it no longer tastes like a raw cucumber. This is what we mean by soaking. May you be so marinated in the presence of the Holy Spirit, soaking in the River of God, that you no longer “taste” like your old, raw nature any longer, but you have taken on the flavor of the Holy Spirit. “Pickle us, Lord, in the marinade of the Holy Spirit. Soak us in your wonderful presence until we become more and more like You.”
Why Do I Need To Soak? There is a deep need in every one of us to be close to God. Experiencing God is something to be sought after and not avoided. While we base our theology on God’s Word, our experiences with God make it all come alive. The Bible is a book of experiences of men and women of God throughout history, whose lives were changed through divine encounter. Your life will be changed as well as you encounter Him.
Where Can I Soak? In Toronto, we conclude every meeting with a time of soaking prayer. People stand for prayer on our prayer lines and our ministry team will come and minister to them, praying such things as “Lord, come and give them more of your presence; more of Your love.” They may stand there or often rest in the Spirit as they fall in God’s presence. Because of the many people who experience this phenomenon in our meetings, we assign every prayer team member a “catcher” to assist the person receiving prayer by standing behind them as the prayer team member prays for him.
This allows the person receiving prayer to relax and be less anxious about what might happen if he falls. Soaking prayer is something that you can also do in your own home. You can be alone, or just with your spouse or children, or you can invite several friends over who can take turns praying for one another. Steve Long, one of our pastors at TACF, was one of the first on our staff to begin soaking at home by himself. He would put on a CD, lie down on the floor and let the intimate worship draw him into a beautiful refreshing time with the Lord. Jeff Metzger, a pastor from Akron Ohio, was one of the first to have group “soaking prayer” going on in his home, and he’s been doing it for over seven years.
People are free to come and go as they please, yet they are encouraged to enter quietly, lie down on the floor and experience a restful revitalizing time with the Lord. Many changed lives have resulted from attending the soaking times at Jeff’s home. Recently I met a man from Germany who started inviting friends over to his house just to soak in the presence of God. He has been doing it for years, because he couldn’t find a church near him that was flowing in the River.
So How Do I Soak? Although you don’t have to lie down, you may sit in a chair or lie on your bed, the main thing is to be in a safe place so you can be vulnerable. Set your affection on Jesus. I like to soak while listening to intimate worship music with meaningful words that quiet my soul and help me draw near to God. As you reflect on the cross and all that Jesus has lovingly purchased for you, begin confessing your sins to Him and longing to be close to Him. After a few moments, you will become aware of the Holy Spirit’s unseen presence. People experience Him in many ways: a weight upon your body, an electric tingling upon your hands or face, or a warm sensation of love going through your heart which connects you to Him.
This is how you grow to love anyone, by a series of several encounters that bond you together. It is not only a rational process; your heart must be engaged. Experiencing God’s presence is what will cause you to love the Lord with all your heart and soul. (Matthew 22:37) Humble yourself before Him. Give all your worries and cares to the Lord talking to Him about them. Pray a prayer like this. “Lord Jesus, I invite You to come and search my heart. Come close and let me know Your love.” Let worship rise up inside you and give yourself to the Lord. If you become distracted, then re-focus on Jesus. Remind yourself why you are soaking and listen to the worship music.
Can I Trust That It Is The Holy Spirit Working? Yes you can. Remember, everything we receive from God we receive by faith. Faith must be positive and focused on God. (Not negative and fearful, focused on the enemy.) Jesus said in Luke 11:11- 13, “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” The key is intimacy. It is not a program to be run and managed, but a relationship to be maintained,
How Long Do I Continue Soaking? It usually takes me fifteen minutes to quiet the business of life and enter into rest. But Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath, and He wants you to enter into His rest. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy and peace, so we need to take quality time with Him. You cannot force or hurry this. The idea is not to “get” something but to “be” with someone. Take time just to be with Him; to love Him and let Him love you. If you fall asleep, that’s OK. If you are interrupted, you can always come back for more. You will know when your time is finished. You will feel a satisfaction in your heart and a release to go and get on with life.
Occasionally people can become quite emotional during soaking prayer. God may want to touch deep places in the heart. There are often areas of past wounding where we are very reluctant to go. That is often the very place that the Lord wants you to revisit so that He can bring freedom and healing to areas of fear and pain. It is helpful to have friends and even experienced ministry people in the room so they can love you through this and help reassure you to go ahead in faith in order to, so as to bring closure to these areas.
Is “Soaking” In The Bible? Here’s some of what the Bible has to say. (NKJV) Psalm 23:1-3 — “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul…” Psalm 131:2 — “Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Psalm 4:4 — “Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.” Psalm 37:7 — “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him.” Matthew 11:28-30 — “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Hebrews 4:9-11 — “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest.” Isaiah 40:29-31 — “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Psalm 27:14 — “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Proverbs 1:33 — “But whoever listens to Me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.” Luke 10:39 — “And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.” Hosea 2:14 — “Therefore, behold, I will allure her. I will bring her into the wilderness and speak comfort to her.”
Starting A Home Soaking Center I want to see hundreds of Catch the Fire “Soaking Prayer Centers” springing up around North America and the world. This is an opportunity for those who are hungry for the River and for more of the Lord’s presence to link with us and draw deeper into intimacy with God. This is about spending quality time with God without having a program to maintain. It is a time to focus on a relationship with the Lord where lives are truly changed.

If you are interested in finding out how you and your friends can start a Catch the Fire Soaking Prayer Center in your home, office or church, email us at mail@ctfministries.com. We are offering a starter kit to get you going right away. We also offer a one week training course in Toronto where we can train you and pray for an impartation of the Holy Spirit so you can begin. May you be filled with all the fullness of God.

John Arnott is the senior pastor of Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship. He and his wife Carol are the hosts of the daily “Catch The Fire” television program. They travel extensively around the world spreading the fires of revival.

Happenings

Just because something good RESULTS from something bad does not mean

that the good thing was the REASON for the bad thing.

Father causes good things to come out of every situation we find ourselves in - good or bad.

Some things do happen SO THAT other things will happen.

but sometimes, things just happen.

Then there is the Enemy that is always looking to

steal, kill and destroy.

No matter what, we can count on God to work things out for good.

Be careful what you lay at the door of God.

Quote of the day

“You can work without praying, but that is a rather bad plan.
You will, however, never be able to pray seriously without working.”
- Hudson Taylor

Getting Romantical

Here is an article I found from last year - thought it was interesting:

February 13, 2007

For many men today is already too late. For some, there is still time. For women everywhere tomorrow could either be the most romantic day of the year or the most depressing day of the year and any point in between. Here are a few things I have learned:

Valentines Day is about a martyr who befriended a young girl and ultimately showed her the love of God and a commitment that even death could not shake.


Men give and do things that they perceive as tokens of love and displays of affections. Women receive those things and cherish them. That’s why you will always find a woman who still has the very first letter he even sent her or the ribbon from her first bouquet. That’s why when a man finds a perfect gift and his wife completely melts and keeps it forever he feels like a real man, a hunter who has conquered a most elusive prey.

Women look forward to Valentine’s Day depending on how successful their husband is at romanticizing. Men dread it to the same degree that they try to figure out what the woman wants.

Here is a tip: don’t try to shop for her like you would on her birthday or Christmas. Think instead of your most romantic times together. Think about the things you like best about her and the things you prize and appreciate the most. Then, and here’s the big challenge, try to find a way to express that appreciation.
For those who have not been married long this is difficult because you are just coming into really knowing your spouse. For those who have been married for a while this can be difficult because you may feel as though your appreciation has already been expressed or that you do not have any confidence in your own creativity. Remember men, she married you for some reason! There was – and still is – something wonderful about you in her eyes. It wasn’t because you were nice. It wasn’t because you were practical. It was because you were exciting and passionate and lit up every time she walked into the room. Go back to when you were first both crazy in love (that may not be very far back). Valentines Day is about celebrating love. Your Love for each other is a gift. Pull it out dust it off and turn up the heat.

This is an action that says, “I want my wife. And I shall have her to myself”. You know what you need to do. No need to go out. No need to spend a ridiculous amount of money. You could even plan a babysitting swap with another couple and have the whole night to yourselves. Just make sure you dedicate the evening to each other and avoid the temptation to be trapped into doing other things that you never have time for. After all, the love of your life is more important than fixing that squeaky door or organizing your home office. Allow yourselves to be lost in the moment. On this night - nothing else matters.

There is one gift a man truly wants – his wife all to himself, devoted to him, loving him.
And a woman wants the affection and devotion of her husband....

Merry Christmas!

Here is a little Christmas cheer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8

As You Wish

"That day, she was amazed to discover that when he was saying "As you wish", what he meant was, "I love you." And even more amazing was the day she realized she truly loved him back."

A New Sign

Here is the new sign - I miss the old one (see 8/24/07 blog)