Heaven Bound

I love a peaceful place. And, the one above (or one like it, I should  say) is one of my favorites. It does something for one’s soul to escape the noise and the bustle of the modern world, if for just an afternoon. I wonder, how much less strife and violence there would be if some fishing tackle and a sack lunch replaced even momentarily the cell phones, video games  and social media that consume and demand our constant attention. Especially, among teenagers.

It’s beyond disturbing to see our nation become polarized over high-profile court cases such as the Martin/Zimmerman trial of this past week. With emotions running high on both sides just one spark could ignite a firestorm that could swiftly burn out of control. Something that none of us should want to see.

I learned a long time ago that it never pays to spoil for a fight. Doesn’t matter  that you perceive yourself to be in the right. And, Christians above all should remember this. After all, it was Jesus who said, “Blessed are the peacemakers”.

A headline on Drudge this morning caught my attention regarding a church in Chicago, whose marquee reads, “Its safe to kill black people in Amerikkka”.  I have to wonder about the wisdom in posting such an inflammatory statement. And, wonder if this same church would post a marquee regarding the slaughter of millions of unborn children.  Maybe not – that wouldn’t be cool. It’s only cool, it appears, when celebrity and media get involved and emotions are running high.

If there is a war on anyone or anything in the country today (and, there is) it is a war on children. Children of all races are being failed by their parents and the adults, who hold responsibility over them.  And, that alone should cause us to weep.

Jesus often spent time teaching next to a lake and it was in this peaceful environment that he taught one of his most powerful and enduring sermons; the sermon on the Mount.

“Blessed  are the peacemakers” he said, “for they shall be called the children of God”. Matthew 5:9.

Yes, blessed are the peacemakers. There are no winners in the Martin/Zimmerman case and, as believers, we must be careful that our attitudes and opinions reflect the heart and nature of God, and not of the world around us. It is all to easy to parrot what we hear but, there is a right way and  a wrong way of going about things and statements such as the one on the marquee of the church in Chicago, in my opinion, do more harm than good.  And, may in fact contribute to a scenario that none of us want to see.

Today let each one of us find a place of peace and spend some time in prayer.  A cup of tea by a favorite window, a drive to the country, a walk through the park.  Spend some time asking Jesus what you (and I)  can do as part of the peace making process in our own homes and neighborhoods. For we can never share the love of Jesus with others if our own hearts are corrupted by hate and malice, no matter how just we feel our cause.  It is imperative. therefore that we do everything we can to defuse any potentially explosive situation – being especially wary of those who sow seeds of discord in an attempt to further their own agenda.

Yes, today would be a good day to go fishing. Hot pavement and hot heads cooled by fresh pine breezes is exactly what we need.  A bologna sandwich warmed from the sun and shared between two – far more effective in healing than fists and hurtful words could ever do.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper who love thee”  Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

The tragedy of the lives lost on Yarnell Hill is almost incomprehensible. 19 young men trapped in an inferno with no hope of escape.  A fire so ferocious in its intensity that it appeared more like a volcano by some who observed it than the typical mountain fire these highly trained professionals had been trained to fight.

When I first heard the news, like everyone else, I was devastated. How could the best of the best be so suddenly and unexpectedly cut down?

Yarnell Hill. I not only knew of it but, I had a very vivid memory of it from my childhood. The year was  1966 and our family was taking our first ever visit to southern California to go to Disneyland and to see the Pacific Ocean. With three kids and Grandma and Grandpa in tow, we were pulling a good-sized camper trailer with a not-so-big station wagon, a combination in the desert heat that resulted in many an hour sitting by the roadside waiting for an over-heated engine to cool down.  

By the time, we were making our return trip – vacation green horns that we were – we  wised up and began traveling in the cooler parts of the day. Sitting out the mid-day heat in stifling places like Indio, California waiting for the sun to go down.  My grandfather had been in this part of the country some years earlier and warned my dad repeatedly along the way about a hill, he called Yarnell. Long and steep, we were to avoid it at all costs. Our little car just would not do it.

But, as luck, fate or lack of an adequate map would have it. That’s exactly where we ended up. Late in the night with just about everyone asleep, the car ground to a halt, when the sign in the high beams read: YARNELL HILL. Everyone, who was not yet asleep in the car let out an audible gasp.

I did a little research this morning and found out that Yarnell, Arizona is named for Harrison Yarnell, a prospector, who discovered the Yarnell Mine in 1873 after gold was discovered there in 1865. Today it remains a small community closely linked to an area called Peeples Valley, three miles to the north. I’m always interested in the meanings of names, so, when I googled the name Yarnell, I was startled to learn that it means: Eagles Roost.  And, Harrison,  Mr. Yarnell’s first name (son of Harris or Harry), means, Home Ruler.  A very interesting combination indeed, when you think about the implications of this past week.

Can it be any coincidence that the southwest is enduring scorching heat and deadly fires within days of the Supreme Courts decision to legitimize gay marriage?  The sin of sodomy in the Bible always associated with judgment by fire. Startling, when one realizes there comes a point, when a culture is so deep in rebellion that there is no option but, to burn it.

The eagle has long been a symbol of American independence and pride. Pride, which  reached its zenith during the last week of June (as did the temperatures) following the disastrous decision by the US Supreme Court on June 26 of this same year.  Parades with banners boasting PRIDE in big letters broke forth across the country as thousands took to the streets in jubilation of what they perceive to be new freedom.  And, while the revelers drank, danced and partied, the Eagles Roost burned with a burning so fierce, it consumed any one and everything within its path.

At Obama’s inauguration, Alicia Keyes intoned with an eeriness that can only be prophetic, “Obama, he’s on fi-yer!”

“God opposes the proud, but, gives grace to the humble” James 4:6

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy

In the center of Honolulu, is a small and very old cemetery, where many of the original missionaries, who came to these islands in the 1800’s are buried. I’ve wandered through this cemetery many times reading the inscriptions on the stones and marveling at the faith and fortitude that brought these folks so far from their homes and families. Many of whom, I am certain never saw their former homes or loved ones again after having reached these distant shores.

What was it that caused people like these to leave their homes and families and travel to such a far off destination? To buckle up their high top leather shoes, pack their bags and board rickety ships never knowing for certain that they would even reach their intended destination. And, yet they did. Exercising a faith that most of us cannot even imagine.

The islands have changed greatly since the first missionaries arrived. The gospel that swept the islands and influenced the monarchy have now been replaced by high-tech places of worship – if you can call it that – complete with big screen t.v.s, elaborate sound systems, recliners and coffee bars. Necessary additions in this day and age (as some would have us believe)  in order to compete with an ever growing and dizzying array of weekend entertainment. The honey that attracts the flies.

But, is this what the gospel is all about?

On Friday evening I attended by way of a memorial service a church that is relatiavely new to the islands. It had all of the accoutrements mentioned above including a couple of modern art rendtions of Jesus with blood streaming down his face – either that or they were former congregants; bikers, who had suffered severe head trauma in a rumble and were lucky (or unlucky) enough to have it captured in art. 

The front lobby served as a hub to various adventure destinations in a way that would put a cruise ship activity director to shame. And, yet for all of this – the popularity of these seeker friendly churches – the fabric of our society appears unchanged. The impact of Christ and his church, “salt and light” barely noticeable, if at all.

Jesus said that there would be a cost involved in following him. He knew what was ahead; where, the road to Calvary led. He also knew that the road ahead for those who would choose to follow him would be no less tough. Therefore, he advises us to count the cost. But, for some reason, somewhere along the way, in our day and age, we seem to have exchanged “pick up your cross and follow me” with “pick up your latte and find a seat”!  Is that what Jesus was talking about?

The Bible warns us about the church of Laodicea. Christ hates it. It’s neither hot nor cold. Lukewarm, a latte that even the most seeker friendly church goer would reject. The words sting and most of us would like to think that it does not apply to us. That it applies to some one else. But, I have to ask myself, as, I do you, does it? 

Something, I’ll be thinking about in the next few days.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee”  Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

Yesterday, I saw a little bee similar to this one struggling in the waters of the swimming pool, I was swimming in. Just minutes earlier, it had been flying around my head and I had been swatting at it to go away. It wasn’t long until I noticed the little fellow had landed in the water and was swimming furiously to get out. I’m not sure how he had gotten himself in to the water, as I never made contact with him and was in fact, in another area of the pool, when he had been buzzing me.

Curious, I began watching him.  I knew if he could get to the edge of the pool, he would be all right. But, swimming as hard as he could, he was going the wrong direction, he was headed not to the edge of the pool and, towards safety, but, to the center of the pool, where, most likely, he would drown, after tiring himself out.  It was obvious to me that without some kind of intervention, he was not going to make it and would soon be floating face down, a victim of circumstances, he could not understand.

 So, standing a few feet away I began gently pushing the water towards him creating a current that would take him towards the edge of the pool. And, it seemed to be working. But, the more I pushed, the harder he fought to go the opposite direction!  So, I knew, if he were ever going to make it to the edge of the pool, I was going to have to create a current stronger that his backstroke!  So, I pushed a little harder until the water became less of a ripple and more of a wave. And, it wasn’t long until the poor little creature was caught up in a current stronger than he was carrying him away from the center of the pool and towards the edge of the pool, where he would find safety. 

As I pushed the water towards him, I knew that once he hit the wall on the edge of the pool, his little feet would get traction and he could fly away, which is exactly what happened. And, while hitting the wall may not have been  pleasant (at least to the bee) it was actually, a necessary part of the process.

Isn’t that a lot like us?  We often find ourselves in situations or circumstances, we don’t understand. We swim and swim and swim and can’t seem to get anywhere.  We think we know the direction, we need to go,  but, swim, as we may, can’t seem to make headway. In fact, the harder we swim, the stronger, the current seems to take us in the opposite direction until finally, there is nothing left, except to “hit the wall”.

But, isn’t that just like God!  His unseen presence always standing by, watching and guiding. Gently pushing us in the direction we need to go, (even, when we resist) allowing us at times, to even hit the wall, when necessary.

The little bee was completely unaware of my assistance. And, probably thought how lucky he was to have escaped certain death from drowning, he may have even been congratulating himself on his swimming ability!  When, in reality, it was a presence much bigger than himself that got him safely to shore. A fact, that he in his “bee world” will never be able to understand or appreciate.

But, we are different. Unlike bees, we have the word of God which tells us that God is always active and working in our lives. A fact, that we should trust and appreciate more.  For as it says in Romans 8:28 –

“All things work together for good, to them that love God, and to them that are called according to his purpose.”

Yes, all things work together for good – all things!   Thank you, little bee for your part in a very powerful spiritual lesson. And, thank you, God for your word and for your promise. And, for always watching over us and accomplishing your will in our lives even, when we don’t recognize it.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee”  Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

Have you ever gone out walking late at night in the winter?  Far from the city lights, where stars thick as cream swirl above your head in a dazzling display of color and light. There is nothing like seeing the Milky Way in winter from the mountains of Colorado. It always seemed to me as if God had spilled a box of glitter across the sky and had forgotten to sweep it up. Stars so close, if one had a basket, they could be gathered together like seashells at the beach for taking home.

The glory of God, it’s all around us! It’s there for everyone to see. And, if you can’t see, then, you can smell, touch, and feel the exquisite glory of God, which is on display in us, around us and over us every moment of every day.

I like how the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning puts it:

“Earth’s crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God:  But, only he who sees takes off his shoes, The rest sit round it, and pluck blackberries.”

Isn’t that the truth? Every one sees, but, not every one “sees”.

If we set out to make a list of the great things God has done for us just in our own daily lives, it would take all of eternity to even get a good start!

1) Thank you, God for my beating heart.

2) Thank you, God, for the air I breathe.

3) Thank you, God for eyes with which to see

4) Thank you God for ears to hear …..

….. and, on and on we go ….. 999 million yet to go and we’ve just started with the body!

No wonder the Bible declares:

“You are worthy, O Lord, our God to receive glory, honor and power for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:11

I received an e-mail a couple of days ago from Steve Coerper of Anakypto Forum and he is at present promoting a video on his website titled – “How Great Is Our God”  by Lou Giglio. If you haven’t seen it before, I encourage you to check it out. You won’t be disappointed. It is excellent! As Steve pointed out, (and, I agree) it would be beneficial during these troubled times for us to focus not on how bad it is  – but, rather how great and how good our God is!    http://www.rogershermansociety.org/giglio.htm

As tragedies strike, as they will and they have, we must be convinced in our hearts of God’s goodness and his love; in spite of what we see. There are always those who will ask why, (and, who will question God’s goodness),  but, for those whose hearts are already hardened towards God there is no answer that will suffice. Without the spirit of God, it is impossible to understand how intricately God’s grace, mercy and love are tied to his justice and his righteousness.

After all, it was his love and mercy that brought him to the cross in response to his holiness and righteousness that required the penalty for sin. Therefore, the two are inextricably intertwined and neither can fully be demonstrated without the other.

Our hearts are wrenched at the thought of children buried beneath tons of rubble in the Oklahoma tornado, (and, rightly so) but, hardly a sigh goes forth for the tens of thousands murdered every year in our nations abortion mills.  The blood, of whom, cry out to God every day for justice. A silent cry; a cry that we don’t hear, but, he does. And, every day, he waits for us to take action. And, he waits and he waits. Until finally, the cries become too much and he can wait no longer. And, the nation living fat on decadence and luxury is not spared even their own children, whom, they claim to love; but, they don’t.

Love in its purest form demands justice. Would it be just for God to absolve a nation, who cares nothing for their young?  Who do evil continually without remorse or repentance? Would it be love to allow them to continue in their evil ways? I think not.

Look at the society we have become in the last forty years. Is it any wonder that God says:  STOP!  I’ve had enough.

+++++++++++

It’s starting to rain and I can smell it before I can hear it.  And, it smells so good and so fresh! The sound of the big drops pattering against the window, mesmerize me, they are like music, a symphony of sound that I appreciate and relish so much more now than I ever did before, when, I had two good ears to hear with. God is watering his earth! How wonderful is that!

And, flowers bloom and trees bear fruit and God’s goodness explodes in to being all around us every minute of every day.

How Great is Our God!  HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!  HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!

Amen and Amen!

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

I want to share with you an interesting dream my daughter (Seven Stars) had in the early morning hours of Friday, May 11.  It seems to me that the Lord has been giving the two of us some interesting dreams lately, but, not only to us, also, to others. Something that may in and of itself, testify to the lateness of the hour.

This dream, I found to be particularly unusual as it contains two parts. One, the dream and two, what I believe, to be an obvious confirmation the next day.

I will preface this by saying that previous to the dream, my daughter had been praying quite intensely for the salvation of her oldest daughter’s father (from a previous relationship) and his extended family.

The dream appears to be related to her prayer.  But, I believe, as I will explain, that it goes deeper than that.

The Dream:

In the dream, my daughter is flying. Not in an airplane or anything like that. Just flying, as people often do in dreams. Somehow, she has been given the knowledge that a nuclear disaster of some kind is imminent somewhere. The next thing, she knows, she is at a nuclear plant, where she see workers coming off from their shifts. They are riding up on an escalator from a level down below. Not in a hurry, they appear as you would expect, when people are just getting off work.  Somehow, she knows that the father of her daughter is there – and, that something terrible is about to happen. His name is Bo. And, she begins shouting his name, “Bo, Bo” desperate to find him. It’s not long until she sees him coming up the escalator also, and he is carrying their daughter Taylor in his arms. In the dream, Taylor is 3 years old (in actuality, she is now 11).  Once she sees them, she tells them, “we need to get out of here”!  So, they run to the perimeter of the facility, which is enclosed by a three or four foot swampy area.  They jump across it and although is seems but, a short distance, she knew once they had crossed it, they were safe.

End of Dream

As I mentioned, the dream at first appearance seems to be in relation to her recent prayers for Bo (and, his family).

But, that was not the end. Then, this happened.

It was Saturday afternoon and my daughter was at the dollar store standing in line to pay for her purchase at the cash register. There was a woman ahead of her, who was talking to the cashier about her daughter, who was pregnant. These two women apparently knew each other and, so the conversation became a little prolonged. As my daughter moved forward to pay for her purchase, the woman continued to talk even though she had already paid for hers and, because my daughter was now closer in to the conversation, the woman began to include her in what she was saying, as well.

Apparently, her daughter, whose name is Angel is six weeks out from giving birth, but, she is beginning to have contractions now. They are concerned because the baby’s lungs are not fully developed, so they are trying to do everything they can to keep her from going in to labor until closer to her due date. Possibly moving her to a hospital in a nearby city in hope that the delivery can be delayed. My daughter explained to the woman (and the cashier) that her husband (my son in law) is a helicopter mechanic for the local flight for life service and that she and he would pray for Angel and the baby. By the way, my daughter ask, almost as an after thought, “What is the baby’s name?” Not quite understanding, why she had asked, because not everyone has a name for a baby before its born. She ask anyway. “Beau” the woman said, his name is Beau.”

Wow! What are the chances! My daughter states, that as soon as the woman said, “Beau” she felt as if she had been struck by lightning. A jolt of electricity (non-painful) coursing from the soles of her feet to the top of her head causing the hair on the back of her neck to stand up and goose bumps to appear on her skin.  The woman could not help but notice how visibly shaken, she became at the name Beau.  “Why” she ask worriedly. “Do you know someone by that name? ”  Still in a state of shock and not quite knowing how to explain what had just happened, my daughter, finally just mumbled something about having some one in the family by that name and left it at that.

“Mom” she said, ” I have never felt anything like this.  I’ve heard about  ‘slain in the spirit” before, but, never knew quite what that meant or even believed in it. But, this, I’m telling you was a Holy Spirit experience!”  And, based on the details of all of the above, I’m inclined to agree.

You probably noticed there was change in the way I spelled Bo. The “Bo” associated with, my daughter is a nickname, which, came from childhood as he could not pronounce his name Bill, every time he would try to say it, it would come out  “Bo” and, one way or another it stuck. Not knowing, how Angel will be spelling her new son’s name, it is safe in assuming, that it would most likely be the traditional Beau as opposed to Bo. The reason I mention this is because names are important to this dream.

There is perhaps, a number of ways this dream could be interpreted. I am going to offer up but, one. It strikes me that the dream, which, included a looming disaster, was tied to the birth of a baby yet six weeks out.  The return of the Messiah, as we all well know, is described in the Bible as a woman in labor, a woman about to give birth. So, “Angel” is about to give birth to Beau. The meaning of the name, which means “handsome.” The word “beau” is also synonymous with that of a suitor. One, who works to woo, his beloved.  A very Holy Spirit like action, if you ask me.

Beau in the dream is carrying Taylor. And, the name Taylor is associated, as we all know with the trade of a Tailor. One who cuts fabric and fashions garments; one, who provides the clothing that we wear (even, if they are mass-produced). I see a connection here between these two names, Beau and Taylor. One who woos – a suitor (Holy Spirit) and one, who provides garments (clothes us in righteousness, Jesus).

The name Angel is synonymous with messenger. The baby Beau, whose lungs are not quite ready for delivery indicates to me that it is not yet time (time to be delivered). But, it is close.  Lungs have to do with breath and it is the Holy Spirit, who breathes in to us spiritual life. When the time is ready, we will be delivered, (as she was) and, with the help of “Beau and Taylor” (the Holy Spirit and Jesus) “will be moved from a place of danger to a place of safety, heaven. 

Are we six weeks out from our deliverance?  We certainly could be. This much for sure – with each passing day, we are one day closer to his soon return!

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

A study in blues and whites, the Freedom Tower also, known as the One World Trade Center can be seen gleaming from lower Manhattan. Piercing the sky at 1776 feet high, it is the third tallest building in the world. Eleven years ago, the sky line of Manhattan was permanently and tragically altered, but, today, the vow to rebuild better and stronger than before, became a reality.

It is perhaps fitting that the tower reached completion today, May  10, 2013. As it is also, Sivan 1 on the Hebrew calendar. Sivan, the month, whose name means season or time.  For as it says in the book of Ecclesiastes, there is a time and a season for everything. And, today was destined to be that day; wind and weather cooperating for the difficult task of attaching the communication spire or antenna to the top of the building, where, a few days earlier, it had to be postponed.

The morning headlines were exuberant over the completion of the tower. The first one I read this morning, said:

“Behold: New York’s glorious new skyline, 4259 days in the making”.

Interesting, the use of the word “behold.”  Has a kind of biblical sound about it, doesn’t it?  And, the 4,259 days? A biblical ring as well, I think. Not sure what the number of days in its totality means, but, I do know that it has been 11 plus years. Eleven, the biblical number of disorder, disintegration and destruction. Just like the side, by side towers, the number 11. On September 11. And, the number ten as in May 10, the biblical number of completion. Which indicates to me that the eleven year period, which began with the fall of the towers has now reached its completion.

What God has separated, let no man join.

“So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel — because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the  whole earth.” Genesis 11:8-9.

Yes, God separated them. It was not his intention that they (the nations) be unified or joined together. Unlike his bride, who from the many are made one in the body of Messiah.  An obvious attempt by the enemy to act in complete reversal from what God has said. Joining what ought not to be joined and seperating that which God has joined.

That being said, its interesting that the One World Trade Tower reached its completion within about a week of Pentecost or Shavuot, which, is the anniversary of what God has joined together; his body. And, could be an indication that the time of our departure, our separation from this world is near. 

Keep your eyes on the prize, Jesus is coming soon!  And, as always – 

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

Selling soap. That’s what it was all about. The modern-day soap opera, that is. Millions of American women tune in daily ( and still do) to see what their favorite characters on their favorite tv programs are going to do next. This has been the staple of American television since the early days of the industry. And, the ratings along with the sales of commercial products prove their popularity; not to mention, the longevity of some of these programs which go back now, thirty or forty years or more.

For some reason, in their twisted story lines and tangled love affairs, people (especially women) find escape. But, why?  Why are people drawn to live vicariously through other peoples misery, mistakes and moral failures?  What makes their drama become our drama?  Why do we care, if Steve wants to divorce Sue or Molly finds out, who her real mother is?  It’s only television. These people are not even real. But, for some reason, they become as real to us as our own neighbors and friends, maybe even more so.

This question came to mind today after I read the verdict in the Jodi Arias trial. The sordid, murder love affair that has been making headlines with it’s xxx-rated details for the past month or so.  I was stunned, when I read (though, should not have been)that people were vying daily (standing in line) to get one of the few public seats available at the trial. Many of whom, had traveled to Arizona for that express purpose. 

Are you kidding me? Have people really been that wrapped up in this? And, the answer to that is, yes. And, for those, who did not travel to Arizona, the rest got their daily fix through the news media, who made it their job to feed the public every x- rated detail that they could.  The drama, the emotion and the salacious details of the case drawing people like flies to a rotten piece of meat.

And, like every junkie, it takes more and more to get a fix, a high. Real life drama, now exceeds anything television can come up with.  We want the real deal, up close and personal. Thus, the popularity of reality shows. Like sharks in a feeding frenzy, when, we smell blood, we want it. And, its the job of media to keep the taste of blood in our mouths. A fact, that if, it weren’t so tragic would be almost comical. But, its not.

Friends, it can be hard to get past the media blitz. But, we can. The Bible tells us to put on the mind of Christ, to think on things that are pure and true. We have a choice to turn that channel, to put down that tabloid; to not get caught up in the drama.  Keeping always these words in mind:

“Finally, brethern, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things“.  Philippians 4:8

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

In the early morning hours of May 3, I awoke from a dream that I have been pondering now for several days. The parts I remember are brief, but, vivid. The photo above is similar to what I saw in the dream with the exception that snow was falling.  The interesting thing about this dream is that it was being given by a narrator. A man, I never really saw but, whose voice I heard.

In the dream, there was a city at night or perhaps late evening.  The sky was a deep purple and snow was falling over the city in big, white lazy drops.  Tall buildings were lit by a soft yellow glow made all the more dramatic against the back ground of the purple sky.   The man or narrator, as I refer to him was speaking to me about the city and a time, when a spire 75 feet high was the tallest thing in it. The spire, he explained, provided the communication for the city. But, over the years, communication had become dim, almost lost with the erection of taller, more imposing buildings around it.

 As I listened to the narrator pondering, what he had said, he told me to step aside; something big and powerful was coming that would drastically change the situation. Moved to the side, I could see it was a track – a train would be coming soon – I could already feel its rumble. At bullet speed, it would be unstoppable – crushing instantly, anything that had not first been removed from its path.

I had only been asleep about two hours, when I awakened from this dream. There was more that the narrator had told me, but, try as hard as I could, I could not remember. I spent several sleepless hours after that trying to understand the dream. It was so unusual. I wondered, at the time,  if it had  anything to do with my current hearing  problem, and perhaps, it does. But, I also knew there was the strong likelihood that it was spiritual in nature.

Obviously, a spire 75 feet high is not very high. I like looking at numbers in scripture, so, I set out to see what I could find out about the number 75.  And, there really isn’t much.  It does say in Acts 7:14, that the number of Jacob’s family, when they went down to Egypt was 75 in number.  This was after Joseph had revealed himself to his brothers.  I also read, that the words “Passover” and the term “old man” (as opposed to the new man, we are in Christ Jesus) are both found 75 times in the Bible, a fact, which, I found to be quite interesting.  The number 75 indicating in my opinion, change.  75 people went down to Egypt – at the Passover, four hundred years later (and greater in number), they were brought out. Change. 

Here is what I think. The city, I believe is representative of the United States and a time, when, we were tuned in to the spirit of God.  There was a time, when, we heard his voice, but, that voice over the years has grown dim, to the point of being non-existent. The cares of this world, the luxuries and the debaucheries that consume us have drowned it out.  The voice of God is still there, but, like my now defective ear, we can no longer hear it.  And, if we cannot hear the voice of God, we will never be able to respond to it.  Therefore, something has to change. God’s righteous charachter demands it and his mercy compels it.

The train I believe is symbolic of God’s judgment. Judgment, which, will bring about change.

Like rotten, termite infested wood, there becomes a point, when, there is nothing left to do, but, burn it. Tear it down and burn it.  For anything built with it is not only now useless, but, has become a source of disease and contamination for any fresh, new wood, one would hope to use in the future. 

There are warnings, it seems, ringing out from every corner. Watchman are sounding the alarm like never before. The purple sky indicates to me the lateness of the day, the snow the lateness of the season. In other words, time is running out.

Friends, we know our nation is due judgment. The questions is – will we still be here or will we be raptured first?  And, while no one knows the precise answer to that question, if the dream is any indicator, the “narrator” made certain, I was out of harms way, before the train arrived.  Reminding me of this verse from Psalm 91:10 –

“A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but, it will not come near you. You will only observe with you eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.” 

* I ran this dream by my daughter Seven Stars today and she feels quite sure the spire represents a church spire, and, I am inclined to agree.  The message therefore is not for the nation or any particular city but, for the church – the Laodicean church. Those  who have allowed the cares of this world to so effectively grow up around them they can no longer hear the voice of God. But, that is going to change.  Once left behind, everything that once hindered them from hearing his voice will be stripped away.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee”  Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

“These things have I spoken unto you, so that you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation, but, be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Trouble. There is just no getting around it.  Like death and taxes, it is not just probable but certain that as long as we are in this world, we will be faced with trials and tribulations of one sort or another. As I’m sitting here writing, I’m sure that each one of you could make a list of your own – finances, marriage, health, family relationships, jobs and, so forth.  That’s right, in one way or another most of us are in a struggle with one of those issues or more right now. None of us are exempt.

As many of you know, I’ve been struggling for the past two weeks with sudden and total hearing loss in my left ear. I already have a hearing deficit in my right ear, which I wear a hearing aide for.  So, as you can imagine, it has been a real struggle for me as the now severe hearing loss has affected my ability to work and drive. Along with poor hearing comes poor equilibrium and I now sport a number of bruises in various stages of color from inadvertently bumping in to things, as I teeter and totter around.

I had an appointment yesterday with the specialist, who stopped the oral medication as there was simply no improvement with them and I was given injections of the same, this time directly in to my ear. By next week, we should know if the injection is going to help or not. Again, it is completely unpredictable, it could help a little, a lot or not at all. I hadn’t realized the amount of stress I had been under with all of this until I lost the keys to my house (and car) for the second time in two weeks, while away for my appointment yesterday.  Yes, somewhere between navigating the bus and the hospital, my keys seperated from my bag. Something I did not realize until I was ready to board the bus to come home.

How this happened is a complete mystery. As the keys had been placed in a rather large black leather fanny pack at the bottom of a larger bag I had carried on the bus. A pack, I did not take out my bag all day long. Oy! How could this be! The whole fanny pack was missing and as far as I could remember I had never taken it out once  all day. My money had been in another smaller wallet, which was still there! 

Anyway, once I realized this, I was in complete panic and shock – not just at the loss of these much needed items, but, the shame and embarrassment of having to get my neighbors involved once again. I back tracked everywhere I had been and nothing. I knew I was going to have to give my friend and neighbor a call to alert her to my situation as I knew I would need her help, when I arrived home.  I knew she would help but, I was very embarassed to be in such a needful situation again, as I’m used to being very self reliant and responsible.  I didn’t know if I would get a scolding about carelessness or what, all I knew was once again, here I was in a jam and, I needed her help.

By this time I was praying and fighting back tears and calling on Jesus for all I was worth to help me find my keys.  When nothing turned up, I picked up my phone and readied to call my friend. But, before I could dial, the phone began ringing and it was her. She was calling to check on me!  How happy I was to see that caller ID – she, had called me first! And, we never call each other on a daily basis.  She is a single mother with a teenaged son and very busy;  most of the time, she isn’t even home until late in the evening.

“Cindy“, she said, “I got home and saw you were not here. I knew you were going on the bus today for your appointment and I was worried because you are not back yet.  I was also worrying about you having to catch the bus and walk.”  She knows, how unstable I can be at times.

I was astounded – not because, she was concerned but, because, she knew I had successfully made this bus trip twice last week and had done fine.  It wasn’t super late in the afternoon, no where near dusk that she should be alarmed. But, she said, when she arrived home, she had just sat down in her chair and was just looking at her phone, when she felt the distinct urge to call and check on me.   And, I’m so glad, she did!  The sound of her voice and her reassurance was exactly what I needed at the time.  I was so happy that she had called me first, an obvious answer to prayer in both of our opinions.

I went ahead and took the bus home and when, I arrived the first thing she did was give me a great big hug and told me that everything would be ok. And, with her help and the help of a couple of other people, I was back in my house in time for dinner.

In sharing my story, I hope you will find encouragement for the trials you are going through.  Most of the night, last night, I was unable to sleep, so, at about 2:30 a.m. I turned on the light and opened my Bible to Matthew chapter 7, where Jesus said,

“Ask anything in my name and I will do it.”

Yes, Jesus  said, ask anything in his name and he will do it!  And, while I never found my keys yesterday, my neighbor’s faith (and, mine) was surely strengthened through this incident and, to tell you the truth, folks, I think that’s just the point!

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee”  Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy