Incoming Tide ...

This week I had another picture of the tide that has turned.  I could see the small waves rippling in over the sand, just as we see on our beaches that do not drop away into deep water, but rather are wide and spread out, the water taking a longer time to come in and out over the expanse of sand.

There was someone lying there flat on their back in the sand, unaware of the incoming tide, and resting on the warm sand.  (I believe the person I saw represented many.)

As the incoming water became deeper, the person was disturbed but continued to lie there, even as the water began to cover them causing them to cough and splutter as it ran over their face.

Then, suddenly the water was deep enough to lift them from the sand, and they turned over and began to swim with the flow of the tide.

I felt this was a picture of where we are with the shift right now.  Those who have been watchful and prepared are feeling the freshness and joy of the greater presence of the Lord. 

However, those who had lain down and given up waiting are being overtaken by the tide which has turned and is coming in.  It is very uncomfortable for them as they are over-run by the unexpected, and they are restless and feel as though they are thrashing around in unknown territory.

The kindness of God is that He is not put off by this and continues to build His love and presence around each one, so that in His timing they will understand the strength and fullness of that love and turn and begin to move forward with Him again.

 

WORTH CONSIDERING!

Fast Facts :

 

70 percent of the 1.3 billion poor are women.

 

Two-thirds of illiterate adults are women and two-thirds of children not in school are girls.

 

60 million women are "missing" because of gender-based violence.

 

Every year an estimated 4 million women and girls are bought and sold worldwide.

 

Today, 7,000 women and girls will contract HIV.

 

While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight; while children go hungry, as they do now I’ll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight - I’ll fight to the very end!

William Booth

 

 

REVERSING THE ORDER

My heart is painfully aware today of how often we, in our human endeavours, get things back to front.  We reverse the order of things and then begin to believe that the result is wrong because the process doesn't work!  What if we have got the process the wrong way round?

Those who know me will know at this point I'm about to have a bit of a rant about something! :)  But when you have a total passion in your life, something that goes beyond good ideas and intellectual understanding, it is hard to remain silent in the face of these reverses.  How I long to see the right order that I KNOW will bring spectacular results.

We seem to have lost the understanding that prayer is not the add-on to ensure our good intentions bear fruit.  It is not the 'lucky rabbit's foot' kind of insurance that makes everything ok once we have embarked on our venture, neither is it a work that will pick up and make Godly that which has been birthed out of the heart of man.

This kind of thinking totally reverses all that is good and fruit-bearing, and is born out of our 'do it now/instant fix or success' mentality. 

The greatest of endeavours that continue to give testimony today of what can be achieved and leave lasting results, have been birthed in prayer, carried and built in prayer, had the way for them broken open in prayer, and finally carried forward to be outworked and bear great fruit.

The question seems to be, what are we willing to invest?  Surely we are going to see results that are proportionate to the time invested into foundations that cannot immediately be seen; into making a way that is not immediately apparent; into a greater, higher, wider good than is accomplished by good ideas and quick fixes?

There is an exciting challenge to us by E.M. Bounds in "Purpose in Prayer"  "... men have, in the past, changed the whole force of affairs, revolutionised character and country by prayer.  And such achievements are still possible to us.  The power is only wanting to be used.  Prayer is but the expression of faith."

This great prayer and writer encourages us with the statement that "Great things for God are done by great prayers.  He who prays much, studies much, loves much, works much, does much for God and humanity."

Way beyond our current focus on 'social justice' there is a great and just God waiting to show his strength in response to those who turn their hearts towards Him in prayer.

 

 

LOVING THE SOUTH

 

For those who are weary of listening to all the negative stuff the media pumps out about South Auckland, this weekend there's a chance to contribute to, and experience, something different.  It's called City Lights and is an opportunity to make a positive statement for a change!

This is my fourth year of involvement and it has brought huge change into my life.  I've been stretched to the limit, been majorly challenged in how I interact with and view other areas of our city and its people, and it's given me the chance to meet some of the most amazing people!

What the media doesn't often show us is the raw courage and determination of people who are overcoming great odds and moving forward, making new lives for themselves and their children.  There is little mention of people living everyday lives and making a good contribution in their part of the city to its growth and advancement.

Now, wouldn't you want to be someone who did something to help that?  Wouldn't you want to stretch our your hand and open your heart to someone and help that process?  Wouldn't you want to go home with a smile on your face knowing that you had actually received 100% more than you ever gave - and learnt some pretty amazing things in the process?

If that speaks to you, there is a chance to join people from right across this city who get together as friends to show what love in action really means.  Follow the link and find out all about it.  Go on, get yourself a challenge that changes something in this beautiful land of ours - what a great way to spend Waitangi weekend.

MARI'S GOOD NEWS :)

I know many of you have come through here checking up on Mari's progress and praying for her - well the results are in and they are ALL good!

Thanks for hanging in there, and if you go to Mari's news you can read all about it in her own words.

It's been a long journey over the past year, and she has been brave and amazing, and now she has the all clear.

How thankful I am that even when separated by distance we can encourage and pray for one another and contribute to the process, with such amazing results. 

Thank you Lord for your faithfulness and love for Mari, and for listening to us when we really called out to you!

 

Y A Y !

POLISHED ARROWS

".....in the shadow of His hand He hid me; He made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in His quiver...."  Is. 49:2

But I said "I have laboured to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing.  Yet what is due me is in the Lord's hand, and my reward is with my God."  Is.49:4

How many of us know there are hopes and dreams, visions, and things that we have held close to our hearts and longed and prayed for, and yet they are not yet seen?  Do we sound in our speaking like the prophet Isaiah "I have laboured to no purpose..." because our eyes do not see what our hearts have longed for?

Have we forgotten verse 2 where there is the promise of being hidden and polished and concealed ... until it is time to fire the arrow towards the chosen target?

This is what the Lord says:

"In the time of my favour I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you;  I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people to restore the land, and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives 'Come out', and to those in darkness 'Be free!' ..."

Isaiah 49 is full of powerful promises, and I love the fact that for those who live in New Zealand it speaks to the islands and the distant nations, and of what will be brought to the ends of the earth.

It speaks of a God who is ever working for redemption and salvation, who contends for those He created and loves and will never forget them.  It speaks of His overwhelming desire that all mankind will know Him.

We look at our lives, at world events, and our eyes move away from this powerful, creative, love on to all that is contrary to what He is speaking about, and we wonder how can all this connect to us now.

John 20 contains a beautiful turning point, a remarkable key, that opens the door to all that is spoken in Isaiah 49.

Mary Magdalene, the broken woman who was given forgiveness and new life by the Jesus she loved, has gone to the tomb where the lifeless body of her Lord had been laid when it was taken down from the cross.  Even the remnant of her hope was now gone - the tomb was empty.

She stood crying outside, and then as she wept, she bent over to look again at this dark, empty hole that had contained all she loved.  ("I have laboured for no purpose, I have spent my strength and in vain and for nothing..."). This is total darkness and desolation, pain and loneliness.

In this place of loss and pain, heaven touches earth!  We should be encouraged.  She sees two angels in the tomb.  The question from heaven is "Why are you crying: Who is it you are looking for?"

At this she TURNED AROUND AND SAW JESUS STANDING THERE, but she did not realise that it was Him.

ALL THAT SHE WAS MOURNING WAS STANDING THERE ALIVE!

Are we still looking into the dark cave of loss, sadness, pain, and broken dreams?

It is time to TURN AROUND and see that JESUS IS ALIVE and is the fulfillment of all the amazing things spoken in Isaiah 49, and spoken into our lives over the years.  We need eyes to see clearly in order that we WILL recognise Him in the place we stand now.

BECAUSE HE LIVES, all these things are possible.

BECAUSE HE LIVES, we can turn around and begin to see and live differently.

BECAUSE HE LIVES, He will answer us and help us, He will restore the land and reassign its desolate inheritances, the captives will come out and those in darkness can be free.  How long we have asked and wondered why it hasn't happened!

WE JUST HAVE TO TURN AROUND AND SEE HIM STANDING THERE ALIVE! 

Our prayer is not effective because we groan, labour, weep and work, it is effective because we KNOW HE LIVES.

We are simply the shaft of the arrow that is being polished and prepared to fly straight and true to the target He has chosen.  He shoots the arrow, and he is the arrowhead that breaks through ahead to make the way straight!l

Lord give us the courage to place our lives in Your hands and to completely trust You.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20 & 21

LOOKING THROUGH THE SMOKE

I watch the television news, read the media reports, and am wide-eyed and open-mouthed at our sheep like ability to be led anywhere the loudest and strongest voice wants to take us.  We have become so enamoured of the screens that feed us entertainment and information that we presume it all to be honest and without bias!

When did we forget that we, like every other nation on earth, are composed of many ethnic groups, many types of people and leaders, that we have those who do good and those who commit murder.  So what exactly allows us to become the judge and the jury on what takes place elsewhere, and begin to join the media generated international howl for blood!  How then do we differentiate ourselves form anyone else in the earth?

When did we Kiwis lose our sense that there is good to be found in each person, each nation, and forget to look for that?  When did we suddenly forget that there are innocents, women and children, godly people, in every nation on the earth?

My heart breaks for the innocent whose lives are being shattered or lost on both sides of the current middle eastern conflict.  I feel for those in Gaza who find themselves caught up in something they never wanted to be part of, and for those in Israel who have been fleeing from Gaza-launched rockets that have been fired into their cities through the months of 'cease fire'.  Which side do we label 'aggressor' in such a situation.

Innocent people are always the victims in wars that have nothing whatsoever to do with such people, but are about the leaders of nations, or factions, battling to grasp or hold power.  When will see that it is the struggle for power, and those who pursue such power for whatever stated ideal, that is the core of the issue?

Is it time to look through the smoke, to begin intelligent investigation of history and cause.  It is time to cease being led sheep like to the conclusion placed in front of us, and begin to use the intelligence God gave us in the pursuit of understanding that will allow us to speak out and walk in truth.

  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light ...

John 3:21

2009

NEW DIMENSION OF POWER

As we move into the new year there is a strong sense of a new power dimension in Jesus that will be opened up for those He can trust.  I feel Him saying:  "Wait, do not grow weary or impatient, wait."

There has been a stripping away for many, a place of feeling empty and of having nothing left.  A great stretching into greater ability to love, bless and forgive - the fruit of the Spirit growing and ripening even though not obvious. 

There will also be a sending.  Wait.  Let the One who has done His good work also be the One who opens the doors and makes the way.  He truly want to be, and will be, the Way, the Truth and the Life as He outworks all that He is through His prepared friends.

"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" John 15:15

LOVE IS HIS SIGNATURE

I believe the Lord is saying that in the days ahead this will be the signature to look for, the indicator of His will and His presence.  "Its all about love, without this nothing is of me, for I AM LOVE."  There will be a greater awareness of His love than ever before and this will be evident to those who need to know it.  He has spoken of this many times before, and wants now to remind us of things previously spoken.

The Lord drew my attention to the difference in results between indulgent human love and His love

 
- Indulgent love: looks to bring good to both the giver and receiver and is selfish, weak and spoils, whereas

- God's strong love is full and powerful, willing to do what is best for the receiver regardless of personal cost..

GOD'S GREATNESS & ABILITY

Psalm 114 draws our attention to God's sovereignty, sanctuary, dominion, presence and His miraculous power.

He is wanting to remind us of these things again as we enter this new year, in order that we would be expectant and looking for all that He is.

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.  Isaiah 42:16

THE ANOINTING

To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"  John 2:16 

I saw for the first time that when Jesus cleansed the temple He spoke separately to those who were selling doves.  I felt this relates now to those who would 'merchandise the anointing'.  The Holy Spirit (dove) is a very personal and powerful part of the Godhead.  This is precious oil poured from heaven and is given freely by God.  Jesus paid the price for this and so it comes free.  We should in no way profit from this, but give freely what has been given to us as we live, move and have our being in Him.

This warning would indicate that He will pour out and is cautioning us to take great care with what we are given.

THE TURNING TIDE - See Post below.

THE TURNING TIDE

Today I have a feeling of floating, without oars or rudder, and yet the boat is being turned and moved.  It is disconcerting, but quietly safe.

Psalm 119:50  My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.

The picture I see is of a boat swinging on its moorings because the tide has turned - the tide is coming in!

The boat is tied to a strong mooring post, but the incoming tide is causing it to turn so that the bow is facing into the flow of water.

Be positioned.  Be prepared.

The mooring doesn't move, it is solid and secure, but EVERYTHING around it does.

I feel the need to be strongly and securely tired to the mooring post, but with enough rope to give flexibility of movement.

The incoming tide is a rush of clean water from the deep ocean which will wash and refresh those in it's path.  It will refresh dreams, visions, words spoken, and bring new life to them for this season.

 

And so this is Christmas .....

Well, here it is again!  That time that is named after Christ and when everyone rushes around doing things they wouldn't think of at any other time of the year.

Suddenly I have to communicate with all the people who haven't heard from me for a whole year - I love that we stay in touch, but why don't I do it at other times to show that I really do care ... all the time.

Suddenly I find myself fighting my way through hoards of frenzied shoppers who all look stressed and tired, to buy presents for those who buy presents for me - in the process I blow the budget, and then stress out about how to find bargains for those extra gifts for the people I forgot would buy gifts for me.!

I have stayed up half the night waiting for the Christmas cakes to bake, because I didn't get organised enough to do them earlier, and then I have got up early the next day to be out before the other stressed shoppers to fill the cupboards with food, etc. etc.

So, here we are nearing Christmas and I am sitting here wondering what on God's earth does HE think about all this?

If I sound cynical, that is not the intention ... but I do want to make myself think about what I am doing, why I am doing it, and why on earth would I want to feel this tired without very good reason. :)

I remember that God took a man and a woman on a journey with a donkey (not your fastest means of transport) and brought them finally to a destination without having arranged any accommodation in the usual flash hotels.  I wonder how they felt when all that was going was that stable full of animals and straw.

What on earth would Joseph and Mary think of today's carry on?

A little baby came into the earth; the angels, shepherds and wise men had encounters that have never been forgotten ... heaven touched earth in a very humble place, and the whole of history was changed in an instant.

Could we maybe change some things?  Could we perhaps simplify everything we do, and move quietly and without fuss around our houses and work for a few days?  Maybe we could sit still and quiet in the night hours and look for the star, and wait for the heavens to speak to us again of the wonderful love and hope God has given us.

2000 and more years later could we just possibly stop and think, and REALLY take hold of all that was handed to us that night.

Lord may our hearts, minds and lives be touched again with your love and promises.  Would you let the heavens pour forth speech that resounds over the nations that are suffering with war, terror, and famine.  Would you remind us that we have had the greatest gift of all time, and let us sit in awe and wonder at what you have done for us, that we might be still for a moment and KNOW that you are God.

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.
God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.

John 3:16&17 The Message.