THE WEDDING SUPPER

28 Oct

 Wedding Supper

And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the

seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me,

saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

Revelation 21:9 KJV

It is the Wedding Supper of the Lamb,

The places are set,

Awaiting the arrival of the guests.

 —–

The tables are spread with linens of pure white,

Carefully embroidered with purples and reds,

Royalty and Sacrifice.

 —–

The goblets of gold caress only the finest wine,

The plates are cut crystal,

Reflecting the Glory of God.

 —–

Inside her chamber awaits the Bride,

Preparing     –     Expecting     –     Envisioning.

She rests with the tender petals of flowers,

Gathered from the fields,

By loving hands,

Sorting     –     Choosing     –     Separating,

Only the best for the Lamb.

 —–

Fragrant oils saturate the bed chamber,

Spilling into the hallway,

Floating daintily into the room of the feast,

To anoint the guests,

Drawing on intimacy,

With each other,

With God.

—–

Soon the feast will begin,

The guests will arrive,

The vows will be made,

True commitment forever.

—–

And at the moment of peace,

All will be one,

And one will be all.

—–

It is the Marriage Supper of the Bride.

—–

Tags: , , ,

Little Foxes

27 Oct

fox and vine

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.   – Song of Solomon 2:15

This year has been a year of weather extremes, with winter storms stronger and longer than ever before.  One night a gentle soft snow came down without the usual winds.  The next morning we woke to a beautiful thick blanket of snow, still on the tree branches and on the tops of the bushes.  I checked on my chicken/duck flock and saw the most unusual thing.

When we built our coop and run yard we put bird netting over the yard to keep the ravens out and the small flying banty chicks in.  The netting is a very thin plastic thread with wide meshing; the type you throw over fruit trees to keep the birds off.  There in the run was the mesh, stretched to the ground, under a foot and a half of snow, blocking the birds inside the coop house.  How could that possibly be??

During the night the gentle soft flakes gathered on the fine mesh, building thicker and thicker as the hours went by, until it pulled the mesh all the way to the ground.  A fast or wet snow would have gone right through the mesh, not sticking.  Only a small, soft, dry snow would lie on top of the thin mesh.

It reminded me of the small temptations and sins that come in.  Just little things like a movie with a “little” bit of poor language, a song with a “little” bit of negative talk, a “little” white lie, a book with a “few” inappropriate chapters, a day with a “little” gossip or a “little” negative conversations; a week without prayer or Bible study.  It is the “little foxes” that spoil the vine, coming and taking just a “little” of the crop each day, ruining the vines and the roots until the entire plant is destroyed.

We don’t even see the foxes stealing in until the vines begin to die.  We don’t realize how much of our life is tainted and our fruit spoiled with the “little” indiscretions in our walk.  Little foxes, little sins, growing to life changing events; sneaking in.

God, let me always be aware of those “little” things that sneak into my life, tainting my walk and my Christian character.  Help me walk past all that tempts my choices.  May I always draw close to Your ways.

—-

Tags: , , ,

EDEN

8 Oct

Cat in sink

“The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.”  Isaiah 50:4

It’s late.  Everyone is finally off to their own rooms, preparing to sleep; some are already successful.  I head for my quiet spot, the master bathroom.  It’s very small, built for usefulness, not flair.  With the door closed, as it will (which is almost), all the lights on and the exhaust fan rattling out the household noises that remain, it is my only refuge.  There I read and write and pray and listen for God.

Before too long a paw reaches under the door and pulls it open enough for one (or more) of my cats to come in.  At first they are content to lap at the water dripping from the faucet, soon curling up in the oval shaped sink, lightly dozing.  Most of the time they wait patiently for me to finish, but on occasion they will try tenaciously to get onto my lap for hugging and petting, sending books and Bibles, pens and paper flying.  Giving in is the best defense, fighting back by trying to chase them off creates a greater distraction than taking a few minutes to love on them.  They so desperately want to please, having no idea that they are in the least bit annoying.  Soon I set them back down, retrieve my papers and books and go back to praying and listening – and hoping once again to be anointed and used by God.

There are times when I’ve wished I could remain there for days at a time, but responsibility calls.  I have spent many wonderful hours there, in communion, not wanting to leave.  Fatigue and worry escape me there – as does time, sometimes putting my night’s sleep at risk.

It’s just a bathroom, with its own white noise and its own bright light, generally shared with several purring cats, waiting contently in the sink – but to me it becomes Eden.  A place where I go to seek the face of God and talk with Him in the cool of the evening.  It’s there that I remember to thank God for the little things that He does to show me His love.

I thank Him, that even in the inner city, without a natural setting to run to, I have a bathroom, big enough to hold one small bookcase and lots of pens and paper.  I thank Him that I have cats who remind me to always take time for a hug and a kind word.  And I thank Him for the understanding that no matter where I am, God will be there to meet me.

Tags: , , , , ,

FOOTSTEPS

7 Oct

 Footsteps

What manner of Saint must I be,

To follow in the footsteps of Christ.

What sort of war must I wage,

What must I give for the price.

 —-

Must I walk in the path of wealth,

giving my treasure to find my way.

Must I earn every possible dime,

Letting riches pave my way.

 —-

Must I walk in the wisdom I’ve gained,

Sharing my thoughts and beliefs with all men.

To continue to search, to continue to learn,

To follow the path of the pen.

 —-

Or is it the path of helps,

Feed the poor and encourage the lost.

Will this bring the angels, to show me the way,

Will I walk with the Heavenly hosts.

 —-

Is it in learning Your Word and Your ways,

That Your steps will be revealed.

By quoting a verse, or by singing a Psalm,

Is this the way that’s real?

 —-

Tell me Lord.  What manner of Saint must I be?

 —-

“These are all good,” spoke the Lord’s tender voice,

“And will help you to understand Me.”

“But, the truth is so simple, so easy to follow,

“It’s something that all Saints can be.”

 —-

“Just step in My footsteps, with the foot of a child,

Trusting, open and free.”

“Step where they lead you, without weighing the odds,

At the last step you’ll truly find Me.”

—-

Tags: , , , ,

Rainbow

6 Oct

Rainbow

” And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.”  Genesis 9:16

Isn’t it wonderful when God’s Promise graces the sky in beautiful colors, standing proud before angry clouds. Wonderful.

Tags: , , , ,

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

18 Sep

baby & adult hand

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. Psalm 8:2

The other day I took my 6-year-old son to the mall for “one-on-one” Mom-Son time.  We saw a short 3-D movie, “T-REX”, the one where the dinosaur drools right in your lap as he eyes you for a potential lunch item.  After the movie we ate lunch (30 restaurants to choose from and he goes for Burger King  –  AGAIN!) and talked a while, then we decided to do a sightseeing lap around the mall.

About 2 months ago I started working Saturday mornings, the day I usually spend with the boys.  We always went for breakfast (all you could eat buffets!) and then went to the park or ran errands around the valley.  When my schedule changed I went to the boy’s school and asked the principal about taking each boy out on rotating Fridays.  She gave me her approval as well as her blessing; Mom-Son Friday came to pass.

Every Friday at noon I pick one of the boys up.  We talk, eat and watch a movie (of the boy’s choice); not necessarily in that order.  By 4:00 PM we’re on the way back to pick-up the other two and head home.  This particular day was Jon’s day.

As Jon and I walked around he chose the shops he wanted to tour through.  Being 6 he chose only the brightest and most colorful shops.  No clothing  –  mostly shops with toys, hanging objects, shelf decorations and rocks.  One of the shops we went into seemed innocent from the front.  There were rock slab wind-chimes, polished stone necklaces, cut stone book-ends, and similar items throughout.  Jon was mesmerized by the color and shine.

As we neared the back of the store we saw voodoo and witch-doctor paraphernalia on the floor and walls.  I tried to steer Jon clear of the items, but he nearly ran into a chair with a demon head carved into the seat back.

Jon stopped immediately, put his little fists on his hips (as only a 6 year old can do) and stated quite clearly, “Well, these people don’t know Jesus.”  After which he quickly dismissed himself from the store.

Trying to help lift his spirits, I started searching for signs of Jesus in every store we entered.  Finally, as we reached the end of the mall, I spotted a shelf with porcelain figurines of Jesus, Mary, the nativity, the crucifix and various other Christian themes.

“There, Jon,” I said.  “There’s Jesus.”

For a moment a smile formed on his face, which was quickly dismissed and replaced by round determined eyes and firmly set fists.

“Well,” he said.  “I just want to know why Jesus is there  –  and women with no clothes are right there!”  I followed his small pointing finger to the shelf immediately below.  There on the shelf were porcelain nudes, three times the size of the Christian figurines.

“I’m just going to go get Joseph (our youth pastor) and we’re going to come back here and pray.”  At that point he took is offended little self out of the store and decided that he had seen enough of the mall.

So there I was, at 49, looking so hard to find Jesus that I allowed myself to overlook the offense, the insult, of placing Him among the very decadence He came to this world to overcome.  In that very store were dragons and Buddas, crystals and prayer beads, nudes and seductive paintings.  How many times do I close my eyes to the things that offend me?  How many times have I felt it was the way of the world and there was nothing I could do?

Out of the mouth of a babe came the words that had been spoken into him.  At 6 years old he was ready to take a stand against the things he knew were wrong, and he was ready to find someone to stand with him in prayer.

Thank you, Jesus, for babies who remind us how to be the best we can be.

By Linda J. Humes
Written 2-24-1999

Tags: , , , , ,

A Pocket Full of Miracles

17 Sep

Cross coin

1 Thessalonians 5:17  “Pray without ceasing.”

 James 5:16  “. . . The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.“

All of my life I’ve had a terrible habit that I haven’t been able to break.  My mother always lets me know how unladylike it is – and I agree – I just can’t stop!  No matter how hard I try I just can’t keep my hands out of my pockets.

Over the years I’ve lost my ability to remember things (even my name once or twice).  To compensate for my memory “challenge”, I have been known to write myself notes and stuff them in my pockets.  Sometimes the notes prove useful, but most of the time they get wadded and creased and become illegible by the time I truly need them.

One day, while browsing through a Christian Bookstore (my very favorite pastime), I came upon “A Cross In My Pocket” coins and medals.  They come in several shapes and sizes.  I began to search for five separate medals, each with its own special purpose.  Before long I had found just what I wanted – the miracles had begun.

The largest coin has a cross on the front with “Dad” engraved over the top.  On the back is a prayer of thanksgiving for who he is.  This coin would represent my husband.  With a silent prayer I slipped him into my pocket.

The next largest coin says “Jesus” across the front and it cites a scripture on the back.  It is the heaviest coin and represents my heaviest burden at this time, my teenage son.  So easily he could turn the wrong way, yet through prayer and intercession I have faith that he will remain on the right path.  With a silent prayer I slipped him into my pocket.

Next comes a nickel with a cross stamped out of the center.  It was new and shiny, and the perfect coin to represent my 9-year-old son who has not yet shown an interest in drawing close to the cross.  With a prayer I slipped him into my pocket, along with the other two.

Next is a coppery penny with a heart stamped out of the center.  This is the coin, which represents my 7-year-old son.  This is a child abundantly filled with a love of God.  This is a child that will, one day, help the broken-hearted heal from their wounds.  With a prayer he was slipped into my pocket.

The last coin is a light aluminum coin with a cross on one side and the “Cross In My Pocket” story on the other.  This coin represents the special needs of the people of the church.  One day it represented my two youngest sons’ birth mother, the next day an ill friend, and the next an evangelist with a special prayer request.  This coin changes daily, yet it rests in the closeness of my pocket, in covenant with the prayers for my family.

This is my pocket full of miracles.  Every time I thrust my hand down into my pocket I feel the coins and I begin to pray.  I caress each coin, identify the shape and design with my fingers, and say a special prayer as I hold them.

Like the bit of sand that irritates and festers in the shell of the oyster, the small metal coins that fill my pocket, and jingle as I walk, will bring forth a precious gift, more beautiful than a pearl, in miraculous answered prayer.

What a small price to pay to always be reminded of those people I love, dozens of times a day, and offer up specific prayers to guide their precious lives.

Lord, remind me daily that I can never pray too often for the wonderful people you’ve placed in my life.  And, even though I may never see the answer to all of those prayers, may I always remember that You have the answers in the palm of Your hand, and that you will release them when the moment is right.

Tags: , , , , ,

A SOLDIER

16 Sep

Praying Soldier

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. [20] And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.     1 Corinthians 3:19-20  KJV

I have a picture of a young black man in fieldworker’s clothes holding a small baby.  At the bottom of the picture is a caption “I Cannot Do Great Things, But I Can Do Small Things in a Great Way”.  The Lord brought me to that picture over and over today.  But, how Lord, how can I do small things in a great way?  How can I make any size difference in God’s Kingdom?

The Bible says that all portions of the Body are essential to the whole body.  No one position has greater worth, no one portion has lesser worth.  All are called to a position, to serve in a position they have been prepared for.  I can do small things in a great way.

I have been called to be a soldier.  I’m not a General, I’m not a Captain, I’m not a Lieutenant – I’m a soldier.  I will not lead the troops into battle, but I will fight to preserve the Kingdom, I will devote all my abilities to protect the General, the Captain and the Lieutenant.  They will never have to worry about looking back for I will be there – and if I fall, my brother/sister will step forward into my place.  We will move always forward in battle to make a safe place for those we have yet to meet – those who have not yet heard the truth – those who have yet to come to the Lord.

What can I do as a soldier?  How do I battle?  How can I do small things in a great way?  How?

I am a soldier.  I wage war with the words I speak.  I can wage war against evil or I can send turmoil among the troops I walk with – all by the words I choose to share.  I can speak life or I can speak death.  I can spread comfort and healing or I can spread gossip and dissent.  I can do small things in a great way?  It’s my choice.

As a soldier in the Kingdom I have the tremendous responsibility to protect those above me when they are at their most vulnerable.  I can scan the horizon while the General prepares the way for those that will follow.  I can be the strength to hold his arms, the inspiration for his words, the confidence that allows him to rest.

As a soldier in the Body I can pray a cover of protection over my Pastor and my Church.  I can intercede when the spirit of confusion moves into the assembly.  I can watch the body while the Pastor is concentrating on delivery of the message – critical to the hearts, prepared and hungry, in the assembly.  I can intercede when confusion and fear overcome the musician or soloist.  I can set the shield against the attack of the enemy.  And, if I feel overwhelmed, I can engage my brothers/sisters to join with me in battle.  For it is my job, as a soldier, to pray for a safe haven for the searching to come into.  It is my job to pray a cover of protection over those called to provide the atmosphere for the message for those whose hearts have been tendered by Jesus.  It is my job to intercede when the enemy attempts to steal away the anointing – so carefully placed.  I cannot do great things, but I can do small things in a great way – I can pray.

I can hear the faint whisper of a name and pray.  I can see the faint image of a face and immediately begin to intercede.  I can be a thousand miles away at the time, or ten thousand miles, it matters not.  I can wage a warring battle for a soul in need – even when I have no clue as to the situation at hand.  I am not big, but I am mighty.  I am not brilliant, but the wisdom of the ages rests within me.  I have no material wealth, but I will inherit a jeweled, golden mansion.  I am quiet and meek in this world, but determined and confident in spirit.  I am not great – I cannot do great things – but I can do small things in a great way.  I am a soldier for God.

But  –  What if I choose to fail?  What if I choose to step away and let you carry your burden as well as mine?  And what if you choose to leave it to someone else – and so on – and so on – then who will prepare the way for the lost?

Tags: , , , , ,

CRUTCH

15 Sep

Crutch2

Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Ephesians 6:6-7 (KJV)

We live in a rural community, a small town with lots of space.  In the area I live, all the homes are on 1-acre lots, or larger.  It isn’t unusual to see horses and goats wandering in yards – keeping the vegetation under control.  It’s a very comforting sight.  Roosters announce the sun, and passing car headlights in the middle of the night.  Even the occasional donkey bray, louder that I ever expected, piercing the morning quiet, is comforting.  Always makes me chuckle.

We’ve had several years of drought and the lots aren’t scattered with wild flowers, as in years past, but after a monsoon rain, the valley turns immediately green and delightful.  Times come when people are unable to care for animals, for health or financial reasons.  You often see animals for sale or given away to good homes.  Lots overgrow and become fire hazards when the growth becomes dry.  Many people commute a long distance to find a good job and their lots suffer.

Not long ago our lot was to the point where we had to do something.  Even with three healthy boys in the house, between work, school, church and after-school activities, no one had time.  One day I decided enough was enough and created a parental ordinance – all activities were hereby cancelled until the weeds were mowed.

Out came the mower and about 1/16th of an acre later, the wheel busted right off.  Good Grief!  The wheel was a special order, replaced the year before, and just not what we needed to replace right now.  Grumble, Grumble, Grumble!  Been there?

Later in the day I needed to head into town.  Along a side street I noticed an empty motorized wheelchair.  I slowed down to be sure the owner hadn’t fallen out.  There he was, on a metal crutch, legs painfully misshaped, weed-eating the front of his lot.  Oh, my goodness.

Weeds and dust flew around him, but his smile never diminished.  You see, against all odds, and doctor’s reports, he could still do something.  He could get out of the wheelchair he had been sentenced to and make his overgrown lot look beautiful.  No goat, no horse – just a hobbled man on a crutch with a weed-eater.

So many times I have seen my ministry dreams and visions put on hold and I think – I’m getting old, how can I ever see this come to pass.  I read my Bible and pray and wonder, with a shadowing of doubt, whether the ministry that God has burning inside of me will ever get past pen and paper and into reality.  I sit in my self-imposed “wheelchair” and cry out for solutions when God is telling me to get out on shaky legs and lean on the “crutch” of the dream that He’s given me and make something beautiful happen; even if I can only go forward a few feet at a time – like my weed-eating friend.

How many of us sit in “wheelchairs” of doubt, fear, shame, and “I can’ts,” never allowing God to use the gifts He’s birthed inside of us.  God, stop the wheels on the chair I rest in and push me forward toward the goals You have placed in front of me.  Encourage me to take the small steps, every day, toward the finish line that grows nearer with every moment.  Prove to me “I Can.”

Tags: , , , , ,

JUDAH

11 Sep

 Armor of God

“Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand

shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall

bow down before thee.”   Genesis 49:8 KJV

—-

Judah is rising up,

As the Phoenix Bird from her ashes,

Reborn and Refreshed,

To take His place in the line of war.

—-

His dead are walking forth from the tombs,

where they have been wrapped,

In the works of this world.

—-

The scales are being removed from His blinded eyes,

Falling to His feet of bronze.

His tongue is being loosed,

To bring the message of God.

—-

Judah is rising up to take His place in the line of war.

—-

With the blessing of Jacob,

And the prayer of Moses,

He prepares Himself,

Ready to battle,

In the Armor of Light.

—-

The belt of truth glistens in the light of the sun,

Making a way,

Distilling the darkness.

—-

Righteousness adorns His breast,

Truth, Grace, Justice.

Peace from the written Word,

Which was God and is God,

Steadies and guides His feet.

Cloaked with faith,

Which no evil can penetrate.

—-

Covering His head with the Anointing oil,

A Spiritual helmet,

Cleansing the mind,

Clearing the confusion,

Making salvation clear.

—-

Stepping forth in the strength of the Spirit,

Both violent and tender,

Judging in Love,

He begins the walk.

—-

Judah has risen,

He is taking His place,

In this Spiritual War.

The singers march first,

To anoint the field,

Causing demons to flee.

—-

The Levites remain, interceding,

Protecting, lighting the way,

With prayers unceasing.

Those that have fallen,

Those that have strayed,

Hear His call.

—-

The Lion roars in the tribe of Judah,

The Root of David gains strength.

The songs of Angels’ tongues break forth,

Screams and gnashing echo in the darkness.

—-

Judah has risen, He has taken His place.

Tags: , , , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →