Ever heard someone tell you they’ve got your back? Well today I heard Ruach (the Spirit) say He had my front; in other words since He knows what is going to happen before hand, a path has been provided for me and all that I need along that path. Let me give you a few examples from the Scripture. Jonah is a prime example, Abba knew that Jonah would run from the call and according to Jonah 1:17; He had prepared a fish to swallow him and it would incubate the vision till it would spew Jonah up in the right place. When the drought became great and the brook that Elijah was sitting by dried up 1 Ki 17:9 says that Abba told him to go to Zarepheth where He had commanded (appointed) a widow to feed him. Abba is not taken by surprise by our circumstances nor our choices and so we fall into what I see as future grace, grace which is working to bring about the right future for us before we even know there is a choice facing us. It’s nice when someone has our back, to keep us from unexpected things happening that we didn’t see coming, but to know that my future is being protected, is a great boon to me. While pondering this forward grace I realized that this is one reason why it is important to have the prophetic at work in our lives. True prophecy a word from Abba, given by the Spirit to us, gives us vision into what is happening or perhaps what is going to happen, if nothing else in the way He is leading us; though we may not have knowledge of the end result of our journey. I know for me the prophetic word given by Jentzen Franklin and my prophetic vision, along with other words which were given to me allowed me to walk through the time of illness with a lot more confidence that my front was indeed covered. It helped me to be able to hang on for the long haul, one which was much longer than I had anticipated but made not only bearable but greatly profitable for me even while still going through it. I did not have to struggle with will I get through this but with that settled I could face what was happening and learn as much as possible all along the way. My prayers could be much more diverse with the settling of things in my mind because of the forward grace of a word for the season. This forward grace also had the place picked out for my ‘party’ before I knew that I would be going anywhere. The plans were set, a place prepared and all I had to do was believe the word given me by my Big Brother, Yeshua and the dream would confirm where I was to go. So many times I think even as Christians that we fall into thinking things are left to chance, or we think how nice that worked out so well, instead of seeing that He had things prepared, He commanded people to be prepared for what was coming our way. We have free will choice, a gift that Abba gave us but we must realize that He is not taken by surprise by what we choose; hence He is able to prepare things for us. There are several reasons He will give a prophetic word ahead of time and I’m sure I will not come close to naming them all but a few I’ve seen in my own life. He gave the original prophetic word that I would go through something in order that the illness would not take me by surprise and I would not fall into the trap of thinking I had done something to bring this on myself. He gave me a vision to confirm how things would play out, that I would see things before they ‘hit’ me during this time. He confirmed the depth that I would fall by not only my vision where I looked like I was dead but someone else’s vision that I was very ill and thin. Hence the future grace gave vision to help and prepare me through a time of trouble.
A prophetic word embodying future grace may come in order that we can minister to others. Elijah was sent to a certain widow which even Yeshua mentions in Luke 4:26 that there were many widows but Elijah was sent to this particular one and his going would provide for her and her son through the drought. Abba put Kathy and me together to walk out two different illnesses; but walking it out together was greatly beneficial to both of us. We were and are able to encourage one another and our relationship is deep because of this shared journey. Many people have been sent into our lives to further the ministry that Abba has for us in particular places and it is to be a blessing to them as well.
Recently a young woman in another area has shared dreams she has had about our church. They came as confirmation of certain things and then as prophetic future grace that we even now see beginning. One of the dreams was that the church would be inside out; trees were seen inside the building…we had already gotten words that we would be a church doing work on the outside, more an outreach body so this seemed to come as confirmation. A couple of weeks ago Jose and Katherine got the unction to go and pray in the field in front of the church, they called up and asked is this was something we would do till Abba told us differently. We jumped on the bandwagon feeling that it was a good thing. Jose’s word from Ruach was that if we wanted to see signs we need to be willing to be signs; signs that prayer is out in the open and free to all. We’ve been doing this for nearly two weeks now and our number has grown to encompass others as we’ve gone along.
Dave suddenly got the opportunity to reach out to help someone who we might never have met had he not been helping someone else. An East Indian couple from the Bombay area was in need of help, they have a green card but no driver’s license and Ghandi needed a dentist. Dave went on the hunt but couldn’t find one who would take him so he decided that at least the Emeri-care place could give him an antibiotic and pain med. So off they went. While waiting to see a doc Ghandi told Dave that before Dave had walked into the hotel he had laid down because the pain was so bad and had prayed, ‘God help me, send someone to help me.’ He also said when he saw Dave he knew he was a good man. Outreach to someone we might never have reached but Abba knew Ghandi was going to be praying that prayer when Dave was going to be there! Last night as we were discussing the field prayer Kathy suddenly said ‘I knew we would be an inside out body because of the dream but I didn’t know it would be this soon’. I suddenly realized I had not thought of the dream given a month or so ago as beginning to be fulfilled by our ‘field prayers’. Woo-hoo! Abba sends future grace in prophetic dreams to confirm what we’re doing as part of the bigger plan for what we will be doing and to allow us to walk in more confidence the next time we get a ‘casual’ call, we will know we are already being prepared for such a time as this. We are on the move, we expect future grace to attend us and we rest that Abba has our backs and our fronts!
k
Friday, August 22, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Joy And Sorrow
In the midst of all our lives there are dual combinations that seem to never get too far from each other: Joy/Sorrow. It is hard to explain how in the midst of a great move that many are still in such need, that there comes loss and pain. Recently dear friends of ours lost their youngest son, we wept and mourned that loss with them and though no one can truly understand the shortness of some lives we can see that it is not something that does not affect God. Yeshua wept at the loss of Lazarus though He knew that he was going to be raised soon. He wept over Jerusalem for the coming desolation that they would suffer; though He knew that one day they would turn again to the Father and be restored. We live in a fallen world, yet we do not despair because there is not only hope but the knowledge that this physical life is not the end, it is not all that there is. I find many being confused by the sorrow of this world, the burdens we bear and the joy of the Lord and the promise of futures beyond our scope of imaginings. We tend to relate earthly sorrow with somehow having failed to have obtained the perfect walk with Abba since such a horrific thing has come our way, or we dismiss someone’s obvious sorrow for something that we see as temporal, admonishing them to look to the future and ‘get over it’. Truth is we are physical and spiritual beings and sometimes this middle ground we walk can seem confusing and wearisome. The only words I can utter at this time for those facing loss, in the midst of sorrow is we do not have to walk this middle ground alone. Yeshua came so that He could assure us that we are not alone till the redemption time comes and tears will be wiped away. We can have peace not because everything is going right but because peace is a person, Yeshua, Himself, it is found in relationship with Him as He leads us to the Father. We find hope because He overcame death, hell and the grave and offers that to us as well. We are not forsaken; we are not forgotten in those hard times. Weeping comes but so does joy in knowing that He who holds all things catches each tear and one day they will all be wiped away by that nail scarred hand and the joy will then be eternal for we will be with Him in the way that we long to be now.
k
k
Road Trip Part 2
After a bit we saw a lady being helped up the hill using a walker. She was not elderly, but had an injured foot. After she got settled I decided that I would go speak with her and share my testimony. She and her husband were very receptive and she shared how they had planned to go to another meeting earlier in the month but were turned away by the crowd being too large so they were determined to make it to this one. The day before the meeting her foot started swelling at work to the point that you couldn’t see her ankle and she had to go to the doctor. They wrapped it telling her to stay off of it but as I said they were determined. Later in the day when they decided that the chairs could move down to the stage area Dave and I grabbed our stuff and headed down, almost immediately I remembered the lady with the walker and was totally ticked at myself for not helping grab their stuff and getting them down as well. I looked around and they were not seated too far behind us so I went to confess and apologize. She assured me that it was not a problem since she had walked down, no walker, no pain. Woo-hoo, Abba is so faithful and He does not forget to do the good stuff. The sun was hot but thankfully there were clouds that covered up the sun for periods and soon it would be behind the building. Pastor Joyner shared the special ‘8’s’ of the day. It was 8/8/08, the numerical number for Yeshua is 888, it was 88 degrees outside, the wind was blowing at 8 miles an hour, and maybe more that I can’t remember. I now some of you say coincidence, maybe but cool ones that bring Yeshua to mind in any case. There were numerous healings that were of the type to be verified people seeing that couldn’t, a young boys leg grew about an inch and a half, deaf people reported hearing and a man who had part of the back of his brain removed and his spine fused was moving his neck and back in ways that fused spines don’t allow. I know it sounds perhaps caviler to mention such wonders in such a short sentence but most people don’t really receive an impact from descriptions, being there was what made it visibly real, otherwise you just have to take my word for it. At one point they had the pastors raise our hands and had the people around us pray for us. Dave shook under the power to the longest time and when one lady who was among the group praying for me said, ‘she has joy now give her peace.’ I would have hit the dirt except she wrapped me up in her arms and held on. It was a powerful word since Ruach had told me, ‘you will go down in joy and come back with peace.’ Beyond the personal touches and seeing the healings the testimonies of the young people were the most striking in my heart and mind. Some young guys had gone down to Lakeland and on the way back determined that their church could have what was happening there too. Morningstar has been in over 16 weeks of revival since the return of these teenagers with notable miracles and I do mean notable. We were and are greatly encouraged that the body of Christ is lifting Him high, proclaiming His works accomplished on the cross and at the resurrection are powerfully effective today and He is alive and well in the body of believers.
k
k
Monday, August 18, 2008
Road Trip
How many of you love a great party that gets extended? It’s not like those selling household item parties that you get pressured into booking one so you can invite the same people from the last party and everyone feels obligated to buy or at least host a party. No way, this party that our Big Brother Yeshua is throwing is not contingent upon spending lots of money or signing up for hostess duty; it’s a matter of receiving what is being freely given in this season. With this in mind Dave and I headed out last Thursday to Fort Mills, South Carolina for a meeting held by Morning Star ministries. I was excited that Dave would be able to partake of the excitement, the anticipation of a crowd of people who had come for healing, for impartation and maybe some just had come to check it out. More than that going together would give us common memory, shared experience, two points of view to revel in the glory of the Spirit’s move. Aren’t you glad that there are four accounts of the Gospel, so that we can see it from the eyes of those with a different view point? Abba was gracious as always on the trip, though it rained which made driving a bit more difficult, we did not complain because rain is much needed. We arrived at our hotel around 3 and decided to go for a swim, we had the pool to ourselves and the sun was peeking in and out of the clouds. We next decided to go and get a bite to eat so we walked to the Shoney’s next to the hotel. We had a great meal. (update on my eating: pizza, taco salad, fried shrimp, fried okra, steak, fruit salad…) Dave wanted some Blue Bell since we are far enough South for the stores to carry it but we really didn’t want to hunt down a grocery store so we decided to walk over to some stations and see if they had any. They didn’t but we had spotted a place called Fiesta Plaza and decided it looked worth walking over just to see what all it had. It was like a breath of home, little shops with stuff from Mexico and other types of shops as well. The food courts had various Mexican foods available and guess what; a Blue Bell cream shop where you could buy by the scoop, perfect. Dave got his ice cream and then we were shopping around and found a place that sold the Mexican shirts that he likes so we got one for him. I had wanted some new black sandals for a while and when we had walked in there was a Bass shop that said all sandals 70% off. I not only got sandals but a purse as well one that I had been looking for. The music was great, indoor fountains, like I said a breath of Tex-Mex in the middle of our trip. Walking out of the mall Dave comments that it could really start raining and then what were we going to do. I said, ‘get wet’! We walked back to the hotel and just as we were on the sidewalk a couple of splats hit us, by the time we were up the stairs it was pouring, we of course had made it all right in time.
Next day we were up and running ready to get to the site and get our chairs set in a ‘good’ place. I had pushed away trepidation the night before that the crowed might be so big that we would not be able to keep up with each other. They had mentioned shuttles to and from parking lots so it sounded like we might not have easy access to the car through out the day and we were taking a cooler with drinks. As I said, however, I pushed these thoughts away and said, ‘Yeshua, this is an extension of Your party, so You work out the logistics.’ We got to what was the old Heritage USA facility a bit after nine, the service was to start at 5 that evening. We were directed in the farthest parking area which proved my fretting unfounded as it was not that far and only those needing assistance in walking would need a shuttle. We walked to the stage area (this meeting was to be held outside) and found that hose with chairs were to sit on the hill where a big screen had been placed, the stage area would be standing room only. No problem we were able to with other early arrivals to situate our chairs where we could see the stage and the screen. There was a wonderful breeze blowing and the day was bright with sunshine and promise. I was interviewed by a gentleman who was doing a documentary on the Lakeland revival and was able to give an overview of what Abba had done for me. Shortly after another gentleman walked up and apologized for having stood and listened as I was being filmed so I was able to give him an even more in depth account. He shared with us what the Lord had been saying to him. We agreed that it was patience and love that allowed people to come to the maturity and access the right time, right place for the right reasons. It was a very enjoyable time. Dave and I then decided to walk around and check out the booths. We saw several food booths, one which promised Brisket sandwiches for a reasonable price, we decided that they would get our business for lunch. We stepped inside the building (where the PTL shops had been. Dave and I had never been there when PTL was going on but recognized parts of the building from having seen it on TV from time to time) into the bookstore. I had not planned on buying any books, I know those of you who know me are saying ‘yeah right’. Really, I had decided just to scope out any and right down titles and I would get what wanted later when the ‘wow’ book factor was not in play. I was glancing over the shelves when I came upon the prophetic display and suddenly I was rocked by a wave of the Spirit. I’ve never in my life had books expel a wave of the Spirit before. I thought, okay, maybe there’s something here I’m supposed to get but Oy, which one? I picked up a few and didn’t feel any compelling so I walked away to look some more. Who knows maybe I was reacting to something other than the books but found myself there again and again the rocking back on my heels happened. I then got into a discussion with one gentleman about a couple of the books we had read and I was able to point him toward a new one that was just coming out. It was after that discussion I decided there must be a book to buy from that lot. Then I saw on the bottom row, two books that I knew the authors and trusted their ministries, now the dilemma, which one? Dave settled it by handing me money for one of the books and saying, ‘get them both.’ (It was greatly fitting in that on the way home I read over half of one of the books to Dave and we were greatly blessed.)
(more later)
k
Next day we were up and running ready to get to the site and get our chairs set in a ‘good’ place. I had pushed away trepidation the night before that the crowed might be so big that we would not be able to keep up with each other. They had mentioned shuttles to and from parking lots so it sounded like we might not have easy access to the car through out the day and we were taking a cooler with drinks. As I said, however, I pushed these thoughts away and said, ‘Yeshua, this is an extension of Your party, so You work out the logistics.’ We got to what was the old Heritage USA facility a bit after nine, the service was to start at 5 that evening. We were directed in the farthest parking area which proved my fretting unfounded as it was not that far and only those needing assistance in walking would need a shuttle. We walked to the stage area (this meeting was to be held outside) and found that hose with chairs were to sit on the hill where a big screen had been placed, the stage area would be standing room only. No problem we were able to with other early arrivals to situate our chairs where we could see the stage and the screen. There was a wonderful breeze blowing and the day was bright with sunshine and promise. I was interviewed by a gentleman who was doing a documentary on the Lakeland revival and was able to give an overview of what Abba had done for me. Shortly after another gentleman walked up and apologized for having stood and listened as I was being filmed so I was able to give him an even more in depth account. He shared with us what the Lord had been saying to him. We agreed that it was patience and love that allowed people to come to the maturity and access the right time, right place for the right reasons. It was a very enjoyable time. Dave and I then decided to walk around and check out the booths. We saw several food booths, one which promised Brisket sandwiches for a reasonable price, we decided that they would get our business for lunch. We stepped inside the building (where the PTL shops had been. Dave and I had never been there when PTL was going on but recognized parts of the building from having seen it on TV from time to time) into the bookstore. I had not planned on buying any books, I know those of you who know me are saying ‘yeah right’. Really, I had decided just to scope out any and right down titles and I would get what wanted later when the ‘wow’ book factor was not in play. I was glancing over the shelves when I came upon the prophetic display and suddenly I was rocked by a wave of the Spirit. I’ve never in my life had books expel a wave of the Spirit before. I thought, okay, maybe there’s something here I’m supposed to get but Oy, which one? I picked up a few and didn’t feel any compelling so I walked away to look some more. Who knows maybe I was reacting to something other than the books but found myself there again and again the rocking back on my heels happened. I then got into a discussion with one gentleman about a couple of the books we had read and I was able to point him toward a new one that was just coming out. It was after that discussion I decided there must be a book to buy from that lot. Then I saw on the bottom row, two books that I knew the authors and trusted their ministries, now the dilemma, which one? Dave settled it by handing me money for one of the books and saying, ‘get them both.’ (It was greatly fitting in that on the way home I read over half of one of the books to Dave and we were greatly blessed.)
(more later)
k
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Family Matters
August 3rd the TCC family honored us for seven years of serving with them in the Kingdom. What a wonderful time we had. The bulletin board was full of encouraging words, never underestimate the power of words for good or evil, they are the building blocks of our psyche. The Scripture speaks about words in season being like apples of gold in pitchers of silver, in other words they are precious and worth displaying. Not only were there gracious written words but other expressions of love. The offering received was truly above what we could have expected and was immediately put to good use for a trip we were to take at the end of the week (next blog will discuss the trip). There was a cake, for those who didn’t see it you would have to have a great imagination to picture what I will describe. It was the pastor in confection glory. The cake was a small man sitting upright, holding a Bible. He was bald with glasses and looked amazingly like my hubby, mmm I always knew he was yummy! There was great mirth in the thought of taking the Pastor’s head off in order to cut the cake and it was quite a ceremony. However before the cake, beyond the words these wonderful family members did something that I will never forget; one-by-one they came forward to wash our feet, from the elder to the younger. I was greatly humbled and blessed as these each took a turn washing and praying over us. This is one of those moments in time when you can’t express in the natural what took place in the spiritual. I believe they washed our feet in preparation for the journey ahead, a journey into new beginnings that will take us all places in the spiritual realm that we have only dreamed and imagined. A mere thanks would not suffice, but the days ahead we pledge to journey on together into this great future, sharing all that this journey will bring. We are family and we are blessed.
k
k
Monday, August 4, 2008
Here Comes The Family
I’ve noticed something for quite awhile now and decided that I needed to get some light on the subject. I was on the treadmill asking Abba about this issue and suddenly I got a powerful vision of what I knew to be the way it should be. For several years now I’ve mentioned that I felt that the kids were going to be a powerful force behind the coming revival (which is now manifesting.) I noticed then, and still do now, that some people get this knee jerk reaction. Hmm, what’s up with that? Recently I’ve noticed that any time a word is given about women taking their place there seems to be a similar reaction. I personally have steered clear of doing anything more about this than quote what some guys have said, saying nothing from my own leadings since I am a lady and I would not want it to appear that I’m pushing for room for myself. In fact when I first read one prophetic word by a notable ministry guy that women would birth this next move I got rather ticked thinking, ‘Yeah, leave it to us, no pressure right?’ I know bad attitude.
I realized that some people when hearing a group other than their own might be involved in what perhaps is something that they want to do; that this somehow equates in their minds to exclusion. This of course is not the case for there have always been Scriptural exceptions to many situations. Joshua and Caleb were ‘too old’ to fit the blanket age of going into the Promise Land but Joshua led them in and Caleb was out fighting and claiming mountains when he was much too old for such doings. Abraham and Sarah were too old to have a son as was Elizabeth, John’s mom. If you check out the Gospels you will find women on the forefront of Yeshua’s ministry. Paul was indebted to many women and several sponsored churches in their homes. Yet we don’t find Yeshua or Paul being bothered that the ladies were a part of the mix.
I had a personal experience a couple of days ago of being allowed a privilege to which I was excluded by age or at least was supposed to be. Dave and I had been shopping in Kohl’s, he sent me to check out while he went outside to make a phone call. The nice young (very young) lady at the register asked me my age and quickly said it was seniors discount day. I replied 52. She told me that I didn’t qualify, and then proceeded to sweetly tell me that I didn’t look my age. We chatted on a bit about how her dad was often mistaken for her brother and I told her a recent story of a guy who told me he knew my dad (guess who he was talking about?) I noticed the manager had been standing close by and thought, I hope he doesn’t yell at her for chatting to me for so long but there was no one waiting to be checked out so….When I got home I started thinking that the amount really should have been more for what I purchased so I got the ticket out and began to see if the sale items I bought had been discounted further. I was amazed to see the 15% senior discount on my ticket which amounted to $10. What’s up with that, I know I didn’t qualify but somehow I had been allowed the privilege of a senior. Was it the manager that gave the nod? I suppose I won’t ever find out but that doesn’t keep me from appreciating the discount that I was given.
Truth is we all have a place, Abba has a plan for all of us and you can be a Caleb who asked for mountains with giants on them or Zelophehad’s daughters who petitioned to inherit their dad’s inheritance and Moshe was told by Abba, Himself that it was to be given to them. Personally I think I’ve found a solution that works for me, I’m nearly a senior and since my healing Dave says I’m acting like a kid and hey I was born a girl, I’m pretty covered.
Seriously now, the vision I had was of strong mighty guys dressed for battle, they stood shoulder to shoulder covering a ridge as far as my eye could see. Then the line shifted just a bit and the women stepped up next to them, they were armed but with different weapons then the men. The kids took their places next. All sorts of kids, little dinks with big smiles and wide eyes. Then I saw one of the dinks pull on his mom’s sleeve and asked pointing forward, ‘is that the enemy?’ Sure enough a horde stood opposite. ‘Yes, that’s them’, the mom replied. ‘They don’t look so big to me.’ The dink remarked. Since almost everything is bigger than a small child ‘big’ is very relative to them and these kids weren’t just any dinks, they are His. Smiling the mom replied, ‘You’re right, they aren’t so big.’ Next I saw the women lift their faces to the sky and begin to sing, it was a song extolling His goodness, His grace and glory, the dinks began to dance and whirl to the song, the men began to beat their swords on their shields and stomp their feet, it was a powerful noise, that pulsed to His heartbeat. The enemy was stricken with confusion and dismay. Then I heard this phrase ringing out loud and clear.
WATCH OUT, HERE COMES THE FAMILY!
k
I realized that some people when hearing a group other than their own might be involved in what perhaps is something that they want to do; that this somehow equates in their minds to exclusion. This of course is not the case for there have always been Scriptural exceptions to many situations. Joshua and Caleb were ‘too old’ to fit the blanket age of going into the Promise Land but Joshua led them in and Caleb was out fighting and claiming mountains when he was much too old for such doings. Abraham and Sarah were too old to have a son as was Elizabeth, John’s mom. If you check out the Gospels you will find women on the forefront of Yeshua’s ministry. Paul was indebted to many women and several sponsored churches in their homes. Yet we don’t find Yeshua or Paul being bothered that the ladies were a part of the mix.
I had a personal experience a couple of days ago of being allowed a privilege to which I was excluded by age or at least was supposed to be. Dave and I had been shopping in Kohl’s, he sent me to check out while he went outside to make a phone call. The nice young (very young) lady at the register asked me my age and quickly said it was seniors discount day. I replied 52. She told me that I didn’t qualify, and then proceeded to sweetly tell me that I didn’t look my age. We chatted on a bit about how her dad was often mistaken for her brother and I told her a recent story of a guy who told me he knew my dad (guess who he was talking about?) I noticed the manager had been standing close by and thought, I hope he doesn’t yell at her for chatting to me for so long but there was no one waiting to be checked out so….When I got home I started thinking that the amount really should have been more for what I purchased so I got the ticket out and began to see if the sale items I bought had been discounted further. I was amazed to see the 15% senior discount on my ticket which amounted to $10. What’s up with that, I know I didn’t qualify but somehow I had been allowed the privilege of a senior. Was it the manager that gave the nod? I suppose I won’t ever find out but that doesn’t keep me from appreciating the discount that I was given.
Truth is we all have a place, Abba has a plan for all of us and you can be a Caleb who asked for mountains with giants on them or Zelophehad’s daughters who petitioned to inherit their dad’s inheritance and Moshe was told by Abba, Himself that it was to be given to them. Personally I think I’ve found a solution that works for me, I’m nearly a senior and since my healing Dave says I’m acting like a kid and hey I was born a girl, I’m pretty covered.
Seriously now, the vision I had was of strong mighty guys dressed for battle, they stood shoulder to shoulder covering a ridge as far as my eye could see. Then the line shifted just a bit and the women stepped up next to them, they were armed but with different weapons then the men. The kids took their places next. All sorts of kids, little dinks with big smiles and wide eyes. Then I saw one of the dinks pull on his mom’s sleeve and asked pointing forward, ‘is that the enemy?’ Sure enough a horde stood opposite. ‘Yes, that’s them’, the mom replied. ‘They don’t look so big to me.’ The dink remarked. Since almost everything is bigger than a small child ‘big’ is very relative to them and these kids weren’t just any dinks, they are His. Smiling the mom replied, ‘You’re right, they aren’t so big.’ Next I saw the women lift their faces to the sky and begin to sing, it was a song extolling His goodness, His grace and glory, the dinks began to dance and whirl to the song, the men began to beat their swords on their shields and stomp their feet, it was a powerful noise, that pulsed to His heartbeat. The enemy was stricken with confusion and dismay. Then I heard this phrase ringing out loud and clear.
WATCH OUT, HERE COMES THE FAMILY!
k
Friday, August 1, 2008
Retrospection
Speaking with James in Ms. today who had just read about my healing the statement was made, ‘this should show people never to give up’, the reference was to the length that we’ve been praying for my deliverance. This reminded me of how many people are still waiting for deliverance; many have also been in their struggle for years. I have a great writing on The Family’ ready to post which was unctioned by a vision I received yesterday; however today while looking for some blank space in a notebook (yes I have a computer and a laptop but sometimes still like to use pen and paper) I came upon a writing that I had done in the very depth of my illness. Reading over it I found seeds (thoughts) that are now bearing fruits, so I’d like to share that writing and then explain how this brought me to greater relationship and understanding of Abba and His love.
Retro writing:
What is the cost of being a child found in the image of Abba? Whatever the cost or suffering involved the price is not too great to be paid.
Suffering impales us to this earth yet once planted deep roots take hold and that dead dry branch buds with the promise of joy to come. Hence the suffering now becomes joy for though the fruit has not yet matured the promise is retrospective and we taste now the joy that is to come. Anticipation turns into participation, our two worlds collide; the temporal and eternal are woven as one. While the body remains Terra bound and oft in deep pain, my spirit is lifted on high, not merely by eagle’s wings for they too belong to the seen world but His very hand bears me aloft lifting me close. I feel His breath sweeping across my spirit playing a melody of love and grace. I dance in the palm of His hand.
Does this spirit dance stop the physical pain? Not always but it does redeem it making it bearable for though my body bears the pain, He who is all cradles me and I am comforted. All things do work for Abba’s intended purpose once we submit ourselves to His hand. Many times it is our greatest struggles which bring to light things, mindsets…which have and would continue to bind us for years. Does Abba want us to suffer? No, but there is temporal suffering and there is a kind of demonically induced deception which would cause us to suffer for eternity, these are often broken by what appears at the time to be inexplicable; however, time and the Spirit cause us to see these circumstances for what they really are. What does the Lord require of us; to love Him above all. How do I spend my love for Abba? By being me, the best me, the me recreated in His image, by Yeshua’s sacrifice and my acceptance of that sacrifice, by the Spirit’s work within, I am restored, renewed, freed from the bonds of sin that which has altered self beyond recognition, free not only to call Him, God but to call Him Abba. How do I spend my love by focusing on relationship with the One I love, I spend that love by refusing to allow the physical circumstances to manipulate me causing me to abdicate my position as a child of the Most High. I further spend my love for Abba by loving the world as He so loved, by being willing to be His hand extended. I freely give myself to see mankind redeemed from the curse by living before them as an example of one freed by greater love, one freed now to love. I spend my love by refusing to be dehumanized by a society that seems bent on eradicating the very essence of why we were created to love Abba and serve Him by loving Him in returning and by extending love to everyone I meet disregarding any promise of reward or return affection. I love for His sake as He has loved me. I spend my love freely to show those bound by addictions that freedom comes by the acceptance of that greater love which Abba bestows.
How do I spend my love for Abba? By acquiescing to His will in every facet of my life; by longing to be filled with His presence at the cost of personal pleasure and gain. I spend it to fill up the cup of suffering in order to join in fellowship with Yeshua. I spend my love by giving my life wholly unreservedly to Abba.
We are not merely to be good but to receive an entirely new nature, reworking in some areas of our personalities, a birth of inner joy. This joy reaches flood stage erupting into rapture which paints a smile on the face of one who suffers; a gaze that sees beyond failing flesh into heavenly scenes; brought again to Terra and the breath of Abba is again inhaled in flesh. Life is transported into the physical dimension again that gives off the luminescence of eternity. The humdrum life becomes extraordinary, weakness dances on legs supported by wonder and light penetrates the darkest corner of the soul dispelling fear; rays of hope sing a melody as old as time and as new as a sparrows first song of the morning. Ecstasy is transformed into worship Here in this secret place of joy we extol His worth, a value beyond mere mortal capacity to express; it is drawn from the inmost place of our being by the Spirit who alone could express His greatness.
The church has often waited for what we’ve understood as The Rapture, the catching away, the bride joining the Bridegroom, truly a culmination of our hopes and dreams; yet does the Spirit not entice us to be one with Yeshua now, one in spirit united with Him now; to dwell in His now, dwelling in joy, His joy, our strength.
I walk in a place of physical disintegration during this season of my life. Some would see it as a valley even as the valley overshadowed by death, yet I see the Spirit brooding over me just as He did over creation calling me to come up higher to a new life in Him, A longed for union of flesh and Spirit, me in Him and Him in me. I walk now with Him in heavenly places that He might be fully seen to walk with me through this light affliction of the flesh here on earth.
Suffering is assuaged by the joy experienced when one is caught up in worship; joy, the inexplicable joy which sits like a rainbow over every trial that we endure glimmering in contrast of color to the dark clouds of sorrow at the infinitesimal penetration of the Spirit’s light. It’s the promise of cessation of the flood of pain that threatens my horizon of well being from whence hope springs in a myriad of colorful images assuring me I am loved. My eyes are drawn not to the sign given but to the One giving the sign for He controls the winds of the storm turning what first appeared to be imminent destruction into a song of hope and love swirling on breezes that caress my spirit instead of the buffeting blast intended by the enemy. I am awash in the gentle light of His presence buoyed up by the joy of knowing I am sheltered in the palm of Abba’s hand. The unknowing questions of tomorrow are put to rest by finding myself alive in the now of His presence, the nearness of His heartbeat a gentle thunder in my ears brings comfort found when I a abandon self into His care. My weakness becomes instead a resting place devoid of struggle for I am comforted by love that bars confusion of my present circumstances. Cradled in that love I am surrounded by His grace learning to trust Him more even as the storm rages beyond that cleft of society that His love chiseled amid the hard place in my life And for just a moment my eyes are lifted even higher than rainbow of joy and for a brief moment I glimpse His smile.
Today:
Whoa I am blown away that I foresaw and foretasted what I am now experiencing in a fuller measure than I have ever before. The suffering tempered me to be able to do something that I had never had in my life. No, not that I wasn’t saved before, I had a great relationship with Abba and always from the time I could remember I stated to one and all that I had a brother, Yeshua (I come from a family in the natural with all girls), I knew of Ruach’s (the Spirit’s) guidance and the voice of God from a very young age. What I’ve never really been able to do since a child was feel. I’ve known and understood (on whatever limited basis it may have been) Abba’s goodness and seen it in work in my life, but to be struck with overwhelming feeling that goodness had not been my experience. I’ve watched as so many were overcome with the power and seen their manifestations always thinking I was missing out on the ‘feelings’ department. I tried to examine if I was too mentally caught up to allow myself to feel but try as I might that didn’t seem to work for me. I’ve known beyond a doubt that Abba loved me and felt that love often but not with the intensity that I’ve had recently. Now the really cool thing is I began feeling, experiencing all this before I was physically healed, I think (no doctrinal statement here) that the inner scar healing that I had prayed for over my physical healing was manifest before the physical manifestation during the times of intense knowing of His goodness and being overwhelmed with His love. It’s as though the enemy had unloaded all his bag of tricks, trying to lie, steal and kill me in various ways and when by Abba’s grace I had been able to stand and gain understanding through it all, Yeshua having led the way and Ruach holding my hand through it all, the floodgate of feeling His presence not just knowing it was meshed, knowledge and feeling, now there’s a great combo. He had told me after returning from Louisville, ‘snuggle, don’t struggle’ which I learned to do when the body was too weak to struggle if I’d wanted to, I learned it was okay not to fast, to pray long hours, to work so hard at getting it right all because my body could not tolerate that kind of work, so now I know the power of snuggling even when the body is up and raring to go, can’t beat the snuggling with Him for impartation. The love I experienced caused hope to spring forth afresh and faith then became sight. I was touched, am being touched, by a love stronger than death. No matter your internal struggle, your physical illness or lacking, no matter how long your journey had been or will be, You can dance now in anticipation of the dance to come. During the illness I learned how to dance more in my spirit than on my feet due again to the physical lack, now I dance where ever I am whether in spirit or in the flesh (been doing a lot of the in the flesh since I have the strength to) either way I’m with Him, dancing to the eternal music of grace, the song which He sings over us was heard very clearly by me when I was too weak to do anything but listen. Now I can still the inner self and hear it having learned the secret to the song. Don’t give up hope, love finds a way and it is a way worth waiting for. If I could impart anything to you right now through this writing it would not necessarily be healing or deliverance though I pray that if you need it but I would impart to you the knowledge of His goodness and just how much He loves you, the rest follows easily after that.
k
Retro writing:
What is the cost of being a child found in the image of Abba? Whatever the cost or suffering involved the price is not too great to be paid.
Suffering impales us to this earth yet once planted deep roots take hold and that dead dry branch buds with the promise of joy to come. Hence the suffering now becomes joy for though the fruit has not yet matured the promise is retrospective and we taste now the joy that is to come. Anticipation turns into participation, our two worlds collide; the temporal and eternal are woven as one. While the body remains Terra bound and oft in deep pain, my spirit is lifted on high, not merely by eagle’s wings for they too belong to the seen world but His very hand bears me aloft lifting me close. I feel His breath sweeping across my spirit playing a melody of love and grace. I dance in the palm of His hand.
Does this spirit dance stop the physical pain? Not always but it does redeem it making it bearable for though my body bears the pain, He who is all cradles me and I am comforted. All things do work for Abba’s intended purpose once we submit ourselves to His hand. Many times it is our greatest struggles which bring to light things, mindsets…which have and would continue to bind us for years. Does Abba want us to suffer? No, but there is temporal suffering and there is a kind of demonically induced deception which would cause us to suffer for eternity, these are often broken by what appears at the time to be inexplicable; however, time and the Spirit cause us to see these circumstances for what they really are. What does the Lord require of us; to love Him above all. How do I spend my love for Abba? By being me, the best me, the me recreated in His image, by Yeshua’s sacrifice and my acceptance of that sacrifice, by the Spirit’s work within, I am restored, renewed, freed from the bonds of sin that which has altered self beyond recognition, free not only to call Him, God but to call Him Abba. How do I spend my love by focusing on relationship with the One I love, I spend that love by refusing to allow the physical circumstances to manipulate me causing me to abdicate my position as a child of the Most High. I further spend my love for Abba by loving the world as He so loved, by being willing to be His hand extended. I freely give myself to see mankind redeemed from the curse by living before them as an example of one freed by greater love, one freed now to love. I spend my love by refusing to be dehumanized by a society that seems bent on eradicating the very essence of why we were created to love Abba and serve Him by loving Him in returning and by extending love to everyone I meet disregarding any promise of reward or return affection. I love for His sake as He has loved me. I spend my love freely to show those bound by addictions that freedom comes by the acceptance of that greater love which Abba bestows.
How do I spend my love for Abba? By acquiescing to His will in every facet of my life; by longing to be filled with His presence at the cost of personal pleasure and gain. I spend it to fill up the cup of suffering in order to join in fellowship with Yeshua. I spend my love by giving my life wholly unreservedly to Abba.
We are not merely to be good but to receive an entirely new nature, reworking in some areas of our personalities, a birth of inner joy. This joy reaches flood stage erupting into rapture which paints a smile on the face of one who suffers; a gaze that sees beyond failing flesh into heavenly scenes; brought again to Terra and the breath of Abba is again inhaled in flesh. Life is transported into the physical dimension again that gives off the luminescence of eternity. The humdrum life becomes extraordinary, weakness dances on legs supported by wonder and light penetrates the darkest corner of the soul dispelling fear; rays of hope sing a melody as old as time and as new as a sparrows first song of the morning. Ecstasy is transformed into worship Here in this secret place of joy we extol His worth, a value beyond mere mortal capacity to express; it is drawn from the inmost place of our being by the Spirit who alone could express His greatness.
The church has often waited for what we’ve understood as The Rapture, the catching away, the bride joining the Bridegroom, truly a culmination of our hopes and dreams; yet does the Spirit not entice us to be one with Yeshua now, one in spirit united with Him now; to dwell in His now, dwelling in joy, His joy, our strength.
I walk in a place of physical disintegration during this season of my life. Some would see it as a valley even as the valley overshadowed by death, yet I see the Spirit brooding over me just as He did over creation calling me to come up higher to a new life in Him, A longed for union of flesh and Spirit, me in Him and Him in me. I walk now with Him in heavenly places that He might be fully seen to walk with me through this light affliction of the flesh here on earth.
Suffering is assuaged by the joy experienced when one is caught up in worship; joy, the inexplicable joy which sits like a rainbow over every trial that we endure glimmering in contrast of color to the dark clouds of sorrow at the infinitesimal penetration of the Spirit’s light. It’s the promise of cessation of the flood of pain that threatens my horizon of well being from whence hope springs in a myriad of colorful images assuring me I am loved. My eyes are drawn not to the sign given but to the One giving the sign for He controls the winds of the storm turning what first appeared to be imminent destruction into a song of hope and love swirling on breezes that caress my spirit instead of the buffeting blast intended by the enemy. I am awash in the gentle light of His presence buoyed up by the joy of knowing I am sheltered in the palm of Abba’s hand. The unknowing questions of tomorrow are put to rest by finding myself alive in the now of His presence, the nearness of His heartbeat a gentle thunder in my ears brings comfort found when I a abandon self into His care. My weakness becomes instead a resting place devoid of struggle for I am comforted by love that bars confusion of my present circumstances. Cradled in that love I am surrounded by His grace learning to trust Him more even as the storm rages beyond that cleft of society that His love chiseled amid the hard place in my life And for just a moment my eyes are lifted even higher than rainbow of joy and for a brief moment I glimpse His smile.
Today:
Whoa I am blown away that I foresaw and foretasted what I am now experiencing in a fuller measure than I have ever before. The suffering tempered me to be able to do something that I had never had in my life. No, not that I wasn’t saved before, I had a great relationship with Abba and always from the time I could remember I stated to one and all that I had a brother, Yeshua (I come from a family in the natural with all girls), I knew of Ruach’s (the Spirit’s) guidance and the voice of God from a very young age. What I’ve never really been able to do since a child was feel. I’ve known and understood (on whatever limited basis it may have been) Abba’s goodness and seen it in work in my life, but to be struck with overwhelming feeling that goodness had not been my experience. I’ve watched as so many were overcome with the power and seen their manifestations always thinking I was missing out on the ‘feelings’ department. I tried to examine if I was too mentally caught up to allow myself to feel but try as I might that didn’t seem to work for me. I’ve known beyond a doubt that Abba loved me and felt that love often but not with the intensity that I’ve had recently. Now the really cool thing is I began feeling, experiencing all this before I was physically healed, I think (no doctrinal statement here) that the inner scar healing that I had prayed for over my physical healing was manifest before the physical manifestation during the times of intense knowing of His goodness and being overwhelmed with His love. It’s as though the enemy had unloaded all his bag of tricks, trying to lie, steal and kill me in various ways and when by Abba’s grace I had been able to stand and gain understanding through it all, Yeshua having led the way and Ruach holding my hand through it all, the floodgate of feeling His presence not just knowing it was meshed, knowledge and feeling, now there’s a great combo. He had told me after returning from Louisville, ‘snuggle, don’t struggle’ which I learned to do when the body was too weak to struggle if I’d wanted to, I learned it was okay not to fast, to pray long hours, to work so hard at getting it right all because my body could not tolerate that kind of work, so now I know the power of snuggling even when the body is up and raring to go, can’t beat the snuggling with Him for impartation. The love I experienced caused hope to spring forth afresh and faith then became sight. I was touched, am being touched, by a love stronger than death. No matter your internal struggle, your physical illness or lacking, no matter how long your journey had been or will be, You can dance now in anticipation of the dance to come. During the illness I learned how to dance more in my spirit than on my feet due again to the physical lack, now I dance where ever I am whether in spirit or in the flesh (been doing a lot of the in the flesh since I have the strength to) either way I’m with Him, dancing to the eternal music of grace, the song which He sings over us was heard very clearly by me when I was too weak to do anything but listen. Now I can still the inner self and hear it having learned the secret to the song. Don’t give up hope, love finds a way and it is a way worth waiting for. If I could impart anything to you right now through this writing it would not necessarily be healing or deliverance though I pray that if you need it but I would impart to you the knowledge of His goodness and just how much He loves you, the rest follows easily after that.
k
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