Promises

Yesterday we went fishing at our local favourite beach.  On arrival reasonably early in the morning, we saw many more people than usual fishing and the sea was literally boiling with frenzied fish and sea birds.  The air was electric with excitement, and even though our line wasn't rigged to go it quickly became so and was duly cast out into the melee. Over the past few days on this long anniversary holiday weekend, we watched several spots of such activity on the ocean so we knew there were lots of fish in the water, but this was the closest inshore that they had come.   

However, our goal wasn't the masses of kawhai thrashing about, although one was caught and happily shared with friends with a well-chilled bottle of Hawkes Bay pinot gris, fresh greek salad and rice; (sorry there isn't a photo of that... I was too preoccupied with eating).

We were after the larger fish hidden in the depths that were chasing the shoals of smaller fish across the Bay. They are the real prize being sought, the one that takes more time to hook and land, requiring great patience, skill and even, it may seem, a measure of folly as the easier catch passes by.

Today we delighted in new bursts of growth around the garden and the first flowers emerged on our feijoa tree.  

The whole garden is looking lush and prolific and we feel abundantly blessed with masses of roses on all the bushes, two kowhai flowers appeared on a tree thought to be dead, buxis box hedging is wearing several shades of green, the lemon and mandarin trees have blossoms galore.  

I have never before enjoyed any garden as much as this one.

 

Additionally, our lovely new camera allows me to get up close to capture this beauty as it unfolds. I have been photographing all the development over the past few weeks since pruning everything back hard before Spring but anticipation has been surpassed by the creativity and reward that has come from a seemingly small amount of effort put into weeding, watering and nurturing plants thoughtfully planted by others long gone.

The most amazing thing happened this morning as I was downloading the latest picture of the feijoa flowers to share with my children who are currently overseas.  The ends of each stamen looked to me like a tiny heart shape attached and while I was marvelling at this sight, Pappa spoke, ever so gently; He simply said, "the promise of fruit".

I sat with tears streaming down my face as I contemplated the initial meaning of these words before walking to the lounge to share with Don what had transpired.

Often we wonder if what we are doing in our daily life is of any worth or value to Father, to mankind, our families, or our community, frequently exhorted to stop and take stock of what we are engaged with.  It is human nature to want to see some results but in God's Kingdom business it sometimes is never apparent as we are not seeking recognition, applause or reward.  

Some plough the ground, some plant, some fertilise, some reap the harvest.  By their fruit you will know them.   

Selah.

Pappa's Love

I love you with an everlasting Love, not in the manner in which humankind speak of or act out, but with a purity that every child of Mine is drawn to. 

Love that embraces, edifies, exhorts, and emboldens. 

Hold My Hand confidently as we continue our journey because it is in the closeness with Me that you bring My Light to others suffering in silence, a shame that is not their burden to carry.

My Presence in you flows forth to break the shackles and bondages that keep people bound.

  

All I require from you is to steadfastly walk with Me into places I have ordained you to travel and remain in intimate daily relationship with Me so My Love and Power flows out. 


Peace, blessings in abundance on all                 

Behind the Walls

This article was originally written and distributed in 2012

The peace-making Bride bears the message that the Bridegroom has already broken down every wall of separation, the greatest of which is between God and man, and she herself is both the good-news bearer and the living evidence.*

When staying with a friend last year we had some water indoors, as a leak from the shower through an interior wall into the hallway made a rather sodden carpet cause for concern. Trades people got on the job so we could relax knowing we weren’t about to ‘sail away’, the damage was limited and effectively tended to. Everyday while waiting for new wall board to be erected, we passed the cavity that allowed us to see into the internal structure of the house that was normally hidden; this became the inspiration for this article. 

Don’t you just love it when Father uses everyday things to communicate with us :o)  He drew my attention toward the exposed timber framework then asked, ‘What is hidden behind the walls?’

A small measure of mould was showing on the back of the shower lining and there was a solid concrete floor beneath the carpet and underlay but the question needed deeper contemplation. I found myself engaging in a lengthy chat with Him and He disclosed more of His purpose. 

Reading in Leviticus about the Israelites who were given instruction through Moses on what to do when mildew was found in a house or its contents there were specific directions given for stones to be removed one at a time and the mildew cleaned away before more detailed cleansing rituals were performed by the priest.  At that point the house was fit again for habitation, all of this was an intriguing matter leading me to further reflection of stones present at times in my own life and closer inspection as to what may be hidden behind my walls, i.e. physically or emotionally manifested in habits, mindsets, desire or those spiritually erected by tradition, teachings of man, or from eating off tables other than the one set by our Father.

It is in the heart of a man that intent or coveting lies hidden; behind walls of justification, behind tradition, behind culture, behind denomination, doctrine, ignorance, prejudice, discrimination, lust, greed and a myriad other excuses.

Father wants our hearts to be clean. He wants our hearts to become a true reflection of His Heart toward mankind, not full of rules and regulations that enslave, not unreachable from past hurts or violation, tainted by many injustices or tragedies we all suffer. He longs for us to be filled afresh every day with His wonderful Love so we can truly shine His Presence into the darkness we walk amongst, imparting His Peace and Hope to those who are despairing and hungry for Truth.  Once we acknowledge our hopeless state of the heart and agree that we are ‘in big trouble mister’ without Him, we access our Father directly through Jesus and His Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us. To clean our mildew we simply need to apply the cleansing Blood of Jesus, our sacrificial lamb, daily.  We no longer have to go through lengthy rituals or wait for specific ‘qualified’ priests to come tend to business. 

He does not abandon us to removing the stones alone; He is our ever-present Help and Confidant. It is wise to have a brother or sister alongside as we pull down walls we have erected because there may be all manner of bugs and cobwebs uncovered, which is why we are counseled to be in fellowship with the Body of believers, for support, encouragement, praying in agreement and unity.

  

When we walk in the freedom the Jesus purchased for us by His sacrificial death we are required to remain transparent in all our ways. That means daily check ups to make certain we are not erecting more walls or carrying any hidden agendas; easier said than done as we are frequently bombarded in all our senses, and our humanness continually gets in the way. 

I believe one implication in praying these words in our Lord’s prayer, 'Let us not be led into temptation' is that we purposefully place ourselves under His protection so we can remain open and honest in all our dealings. This does not mean that we have no boundaries or no social awareness of appropriate behavior, because we are also warned to not place any stumbling block in the path of another which may cause them to depart from the Truth.  We daren’t use commitment to transparency as an excuse for bad manners; they could be the result of hiding anger behind a wall.  Diplomacy is not the same as political correctness, a man-made wall ruled by current popular influences of society.

Occasionally situations call for bluntness and direct speaking, which is why we learn from Jesus what it means to live as He did, speaking only what He heard Father say and doing only what He was told to do by Father.

We are not to pursue reward or covet hidden desires from the outcome of good works, and we need to be alert to our hearts natural yearning of following after ‘feel good’ aspects from latest teachings, revelations, programs, or initiatives into the community as a means of increasing the number of people brought into our churches.

  

It is easy to fall prey to duty-bound religious sacrificial service to others when we have not been instructed to do such things because it appeals to our senses. All these areas have encroached into westernized church mentality and are frequently accepted carte blanche without question as being the correct or normal way to live our spiritual life, or how we ‘do’ church. This erects more walls, hiding the poisonous mildew of self-gratification and ego stroking.

Erroneous thinking runs deep through society under the influence of spiritual manipulation, corruption and ignorance. Historically, men have generated such a complex impression of what is demanded of followers of Jesus - supposedly by God but in reality it comes from the hearts of men - leaving people spiritually resistant to hearing any good news. We have met people who frankly questioned that if they accepted the Gift of Salvation in Jesus, do they ‘have to put on a suit and pay to attend church with all its regulations and performance requirements. They may as well join the Lions or Green Peace. At least then they could still have fun while doing their good works.’ Such perception is disconcerting yet many are dissuaded from receiving The Good News because, as they see it, they would simply be trading one form of bondage for another.  More walls to be dismantled.

We have no hidden agenda, no desire to place anyone under any form of bondage.  We stand outside the milling crowd of lukewarm followers, Sunday Christians and pew warmers extending God’s Perfect Love to even them, with no judgment. Our sincere prayer is for the individual’s heart intent to be revealed so walls will be dismantled in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. It is our responsibility as peace keepers and ministers of reconciliation to tell the Truth, i.e. that Jesus has broken down all the walls separating mankind from God.

It’s time to check what is hidden behind your walls.

Blessings and Love, Peace in abundance

*Bride-Atude Seven: The Good Will Ambassadors Cheryl McGrath, Bread for the Bride, 2012 
Leviticus 14; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 5:16 – 6:2 

Boo Wabbitte

We have recently been richly blessed with another addition to the family, 

grandson Montana, born 2 September 2013

The birth of a new baby inevitably leads to remembering the birth of our own children, reflecting on the time and events, including anticipation beforehand, somewhat ignorant of what was about to transpire especially during labour.  

 Our individual expectations afterward, as we set our hearts to raising them in the best manner possible toward achieving the goal of holistically healthy human beings, were frequently threatened, even deliberately sabotaged.   

Stepping back to look realistically at the big picture,

I was ill-equipped for becoming a parent yet, in hindsight,  evidence is perceptible to verify success in achieving the goal. 

I carried baggage from my dysfunctional family that impacted on the young souls gifted into my care nevertheless doggedly  persevered in the quest toward empowering 

and unconditionally loving their tender hearts, 

desiring them to know how to live life in a more functional and enjoyable way than I had

As I pour myself out on the altar of parenthood I am immensely honoured by fringe benefits, living somewhat vicariously through their experiences 

while reframing my own state of being through the process 

I reflect on how much of this intricate process has been possible due to the Love of a Father for His daughter, being supported and encouraged by a community placed around me for this very purpose, with input so valuable it was frequently the difference between life and death

 I rejoice at the arrival of a new life to be nurtured, 

loved and guided

and commit myself to being actively present throughout our journey together

 a new generation

 

another precious child to tend and grow

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge.......

Ephesians 3:14-19 

 Lord, I trust myself into Your Hands to make me well able to perform this important task, 

for Your Name sake 

Amen