His Wings

What a blessing. My study of the Jewish wedding ceramony has really been an enlightening, turst building, joyouos experience. As whole books have been written about tthis subject, I can't begin to discuss it all in this short blog. My favorite part is discussed in this poem. Oh, the unfathomable love of my Messiah that he would desire me whose righteousness is as filthy rags to be a part of his bride. Our courtship leading up to the Lamb's Marriage Super, is the greatest blessing in my life. To be under his wings or covered by his prayer shawl thrills me. The all powerful, all wise, loving  Master and King wants an ever deepening relationship with each of us. And our Father who so loved us that he sent his only begotten Son  does too.

Praise report: I pray daily for my brothers and sisters in difficult places like China and the Middle East. I have also ask you to pray. Glenn Beck just brought the first of what's left of the Kurdish Christians into a safe place in Slovakia to live.

HIS WINGS

There’s healing in his wings,

Kanaf in the Hebrew,

Four corners of his tallit,

Or prayer shawl,

With its tassels,

Or Tzit, tzits,

A Jewish wedding,

At the ceremonies’ end,

The groom wraps the bride,

Covers her with his tallit,

Promising to protect her,

Provide for her,

Pray for her,

For their relationship,

Which she is also doing,

For her husband,

Emotionally,

The two become one,

Minutes later,

They physically become one,

The Lamb’s marriage super,

Fulfills this word picture,

Our Messiah,

The groom wraps his bride,

In his tallit,

Promising to care for her,

As she does for him.

Not Driven But Led

I do not like the word driven at all. "The Purpose Driven Life" is still driven. What does it mean to be driven rather than being led? One dictionary definition describes driven as "to cause to move by force or compulsion." Led is defined "to guide in direction, course, action, opinion." See the difference? To be driven is coercive. Being led is gentle guidance. Our good Shepherd leads us into green pastures. They are soft to recline on and also, tasty and nourishing to eat from. He has his sheep peacefully lying down in green pastures and drinking from still waters.

Satan is the slave driver. Learning to lean (be led) as opposed to being driven by the enemies cracking whip takes practice. We don't automatically rest 24-7. Many believers have a hard time resting at all. I used to be there. While I most certainly haven't arrived, it's gotten much better. 

That is why I believe God (El in the Hebrew) placed the Sabbath in the Ten Commandments. In order to love him and other people, we need instruction and practice in how to do so. Sabbath in the Hebrew means "return to the Covenant." It's a day to deal with any sin from the past week and commit to serving him in the coming week. We fellowship with other believers and renew our marriage vows together. This allows us to enter into his rest.

NOT DRIVEN BUT LED

Not driven,

By the slave driver,

The master con artist,

A liar and thief,

Expert condemner,

Guilt trip producer,

Accuser,

Loves tormenting you,

Stealing your peace,

Not letting you rest,

Burning you out,

But led by the Savior,

The good Shepherd,

The gentle Master,

Into green pastures,

Besides still waters,

Always encouraging,

Instructing his sheep,

Desiring intimacy,

Ever deepening relationship,
Experience born trust,

His sheep knowing his voice,

Not being deceived by Satan,

Obeying his whip’s crack,

But knowing full salvation,

Setting free,

Wholeness!

Our Set Apart Place

I just finished writing this poem and since it has been awhile since I put out a blog, wanted to share it with all my special friends and relatives. The song "In the Secret Place," which I love inspired it.

One of the sorrows on our God's loving heart is all the evil that takes place in the world. Twenty two Coptic Christians were just murdered by ISIS. What demoniacally inspired mad men. In America, we for now have it so good. I agree with those who say WWIII is soon coming. Where I often differ with them is it isn't just WWIII, but the return of our Messiah, Lord and King to set up his kingdom. This is our anchor for the soul and also our blessed hope. Please join me in praying for our brothers and sister in hard places and the missionaries who serve them in ministry. A friend, who just passed away, sent a letter from some missionary friends of his to the Kurdish people in Northern Iraq who choose to stay and die if need be with them.

A daily Quiet Time is so important. I like to open mine by singing a few worship choruses and singing or praying in the spirit. After reading Scripture, I pray for whoever God lays on my heart. My daily Quiet Time allows me to learn to discern my Messiah's voice from the enemies and so many other good things. If you wish to know more about praying in the spirit, feel free to ask me.

OUR SET APART PLACE

Only you and I are allowed,

No one else may enter,

It's a secret place,

A set apart place,

A transparent place,

Where truth is spoken,

Free to be real,

You with me,

Me with you,

This leaves me vulnerable,

Open to being hurt,

Even my biggest sins,

Are never used against me,

But rather to heal me,

Set me free,

Bring ever greater wholeness,

Enabling me to trust,

Rest in you,

It's a quiet place,

No loud noises to startle,

Enables me to focus on you,

Learn to discern your voice,

From the enemies,

It's an unhurried place,

We reason together,

Share our joys,

Also our sorrows,

You give me your desires,

We end our time,

I move through my day,

Walking hand in hand,

We continue to share.