Psalm 52: 8-9

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. i will praise you in the presence of your saints.

The River

I've been reading a wonderful book by Dutch Sheets called "The River of God". And this may be the reason that I started reflecting upon a vision that I had several years ago.
First of all, please understand that at the time I did not consider this a vision. I just thought I was thinking and this came to mind. As I have learned more about God and how his Holy Spirit works in us I now know that this was a vision from him.
Some of you may remember when we were all still attending St. John's in Marysville. And we had a time when the vestry members, and some others, agreed to spend Saturdays in prayer, at the church. We each took a one hour slot and from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. someone was there praying for the church.
One day I started writing in a notebook that was there for that purpose. And I wrote about a beautiful little river. The river wasn't a huge thing like the Mississippi, or even like the Sacramento. It was more like the upper reaches of the Yuba or Feather Rivers.
In this vision I saw this lovely river. On the far side were tall bluffs of dark rock. I knew that in the rainy season there would be small waterfalls coming down. At the base of the bluffs were boulders of various sizes. Perfect for sitting and soaking up the sun's warmth.
On the near side of the river were trees of all sorts, in full summer leaf. The trees opened onto a sandy beach which gradually shelved off into the river.
A person could wade into this river, with no fear of a big drop off. You could just get your toes wet, or wade in up to your ankles, or your knees. You could go up as far as your thighs, your hips, your waist. Or you could just dive in and swim.
I knew this river, this place, was somewhere that I could stay forever. And I knew that the choice was mine (and everyone's) how far we wanted to go into the river.
Some months later I was going through a period of Spiritual dryness. I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue attending church. I felt as though I had lost my way. I was just feeling lost and alone. And Pastor Joy told us about a woman's Christian retreat that was going to be held at the Bishop's Ranch in Healdsburg. Joy was going to be the guest speaker for the retreat. And I decided to go, along with several other women from the congregation.
One of the main themes of the weekend was Scripture Ezekiel 47: 1-12, where the vision of the river coming from the city of God is described. I cannot recall ever in my life having read or heard that scripture before. But it was so much like the vision that was given to me at St. John's many months before.
Pastor Joy invited all who wanted to go into the river, deep enough to swim, to come up for prayer. I think every woman who was in attendance came up. I was one of the last, because I still wasn't sure that I wanted to commit that much of me to God. But then, in tears, I knew that I had to have all God would give me.
My dear friend Katrina, who was also at the conference, gave me a little card later that expressed it all. She had written, very simply "Let's go swimming".
And I invite all of you who read this ~ Let's go swimming!

My Garden Angel

Tom and I just celebrated our 25th anniversary this week. Although we are planning a long trip in the fall, we went to Fort Bragg last weekend for some happy time together. The ocean is one of my favorite places to be ~ there is just something about all that power and beauty that makes me feel much closer to God.

I also enjoy all those cute little stores in Fort Bragg. Saturday afternoon we were strolling along Main Street and I spyed this sweet little angel. When I commented on her Tom went into the store and bought her for me.

She sits in our front flower bed, to welcome guests as they come to the front door. Her message says "Peace and Grace be to this Place". What a wonderful blessing for us and our friends.

Dreaming

I had a dream a couple of weeks ago ~ one of those that I know mean more than just a restless night. I dreamed that I was at some sort of social function that involved the folks from church. I overheard a conversation between two of the women. They were talking, very animatedly, about "the mother". They seemed to be just enthralled with "the mother". And I knew that they were talking about what would be known as "the goddess" in wicca circles. It disturbed me greatly. So I spoke to the two women and told them that "the mother" was just the devil in female form.

Both women were very upset. I could see that one really took the information to heart and was greatly troubled by what she had been thinking and doing. It was like she had never before considered who this "mother" was. But the other woman was just angry. She told me that she never wanted to talk with me again.

At this point, I woke up. And I knew that this dream was really about me. I knew it was a message from our Father. I had been reading a series of novels dealing with pre-historic people who worshipped "the mother". And I knew that by reading this type of material I was opening myself up to influence by Satan and his minions. I got up in the morning and threw all the books away.

And then, a couple of days ago, it came to me that the message was also for others. It is so important to remember that what we feed ourselves is what we become. If we feed ourselves violent movies, or television programs with near explicit sex, or novels about occult matters, then it will influence our lives in negative way. This influence won't be overt, but will be a gradual numbing of our senses for what is right, and good and holy.

The Bible says: Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whaever is lovely, whatever is admirable ~ if anything is excellent or praiseworthy ~ think about such things.....Philippians 4: 8

The Story of Bamboo

This is one of my favorite stories.

Once upon a time in the heart of the Eastern Kingdom lay a beautiful garden. And there, in the cool of the day was the master of the garden, who went for a walk. Of all the dwellers ofthe garden, the most beautiful and beloved was a gracious and noble Bamboo.

Year after year Bamboo grew yet more beautiful and gracious. He was concious of his Master's love and watchful delight. Yet he was modest and in all things gentle. Often, when Wind came to revel in the garden, Bamboo would throw aside his dignity. He would dance and sway merrily, tossing and swaying and leaping and bowing in joyous abandon. He would lead the great dance of the garden which most delighted his Master's heart.

One day the Master himself drew near to contemplate his Bamboo. With eyes of curious expectancy, Bamboo bowed his great head to the ground in loving greeting. The Master spoke "Bamboo, Bamboo, I would use you." Bamboo said "Master, I am ready. Use me as you want."

"Bamboo," the Master's voice was grave, "I would be obliged to take you and cut you down." A trembling of great horror shook Bamboo. "Cut me down?" Me, whom You, Master, have made the most beautiful in all Your garden? To cut me down? Ah, not that! Use me for Your joy, O Master, but cut me not down!"

"Beloved Bamboo," the Master's voice grew graver still, "if I do not cut you down, then I cannot use you." The garden grew still. Wind held his breath. Bamboo slowly bent his proud and glorious head. There came a whisper. Bamboo replied, "Master, if you cannot use me unless you you cut me down, then do your will and cut." "Bamboo, beloved Bamboo, I would cut your leaves and branches from you also."

"Master, Master, spare me! Cut me down and lay my beauty in the dust, but would You take from me my leaves and branches also?" "Bamboo, alas, if I do not cut them away, I cannot use you." The Sun hid his face. A glistening butterfly glided fearfully away. Bamboo shivered in terrible expectancy, whispering low, "Master, cut away."

"Bamboo, Bamboo, I would divide you in two and cut out your heart, for if I do not cut so, I cannot use you." "Master, Master, then cut and divide."

So did the Master of the Garden take Bamboo and cut him down, and hack off his branches and strip off his leaves and divide him it two and cut out his heart. Lifting him gently, He carried him to where there was a spring of fresh, sparkling water in the midst of Master's dry fields. Then putting one end of Bamboo in the spring, and the other end into the water channel in His field, the Master laid down gently His beloved Bamboo. The spring sang welcome. The clear, sparkling water ran joyously down the channel of Bamboo's torn body into the waiting fields.

Then the rice was planted and the days went by. The shoots grew. The harvest came. In that day was Bamboo, once so glorious in his stately beauty, yet more glorious in his brokenness and humility. For in his beauty he was life abundant. But in his brokenness he became a channel of abundant life to his Master's world.

Our Lord, Jesus Christ, was willing to be used by the Master ~ Almighty God. His body was beaten, bruised and ultimately he was hung upon the Cross to provide abundant life for you and me. Are we willing to let God use us? Even unto death? As we approach Lent and Easter, let us reflect on this story.

The Holy Spirit

It's been quite a while since I added anything to my blog. But the subject of the Holy Spirit has been on my heart for a while.

For those of us who are members of main-line churches the idea of receiving the Holy Spirit is truly scary. I think most people feel that if they receive the Holy Spirit they will fall down on the floor and start babbling gibberish in a very loud voice. Especially for Anglicans, this is a terrifying idea. That we might lose our dignity - oh no!

Yet, the Bible tells us that when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we also receive the Holy Spirit. So, if you have accepted Jesus then you have received the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of God is mentioned throughout the Bible. In Genesis, chapter 42, we see Joseph interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh that told of a great world wide famine, that would last seven years. Pharaoh recognized that the Spirit of God was with Joseph, and put Joseph into a position of great responsibility.

King David pleads with God in Psalm 51: 10-12 ~ "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

When John the Baptist was ministering to the people, and baptizing them he told them "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." ~ Matthew 3:11

Later, in that same chapter of Matthew, after Jesus was baptized by John, the Holy Spirit came down upon him, like a dove, and voice spoke from heaven saying "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."Listen to what Jesus said, in John 3: 5-8 ~ "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be suprised at my saying you must be born again. The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

We must be "Born Again" in the Holy Spirit. Only in this way can we access God's Heavenly Kingdom.

Jesus reminded us that after his crucifixtion and death the Holy Spirit would come: "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teahing. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our ome with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you of everything I have said to you." ~ John 14: 23-26

Do you remember what happened to the apostles and those gathered with them on the day of Pentecost? Read Acts 2: 1-4 ~ "When the day of Pentecost came, there were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

It is God's intention for us to receive the Holy Spirt. And we know, through the Scriptures, that God will not give us anything that is not good for us to receive. Only after the Holy Spirit was received by the early followers of Christ were they able to go out into the world to convert others. They were given great strength and power by receiving the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit helps us when we cannot help ourselves. When we know that we must pray, but we don't know how, the Holy Spirit is there. Read Romans 8: 26 ~ "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

Receiving the Holy Spirit causes us to change in marvelous ways: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." ~ Galatians 5: 22

Ephesians 5: 15-21 tells us how to live in the Holy Spirit ~ "Be careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Before I became a Christian, before I was "born again" I struggled with being a good person. I wanted to be good, but my human nature got in the way, over and over again. I always thought that if I could just be strong enough, and determined enough, I could be good. I have learned since becoming a Christian that no person can be good enough by their own will. We are sinful creatures since the fall of Adam. Only by the Holy Spirit working in us can we become good. I would pray for you, my friends, that you accept the Holy Spirit, allow Him into your life. Only good will come from it.

"But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith, and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." ~ Jude 1:20

Christmas

Christmas is almost with us. Just a few more days. I see people scurrying, and hurrying ~ in a frenzy to find the perfect present for loved ones. This year, with the poor economy, there is so much anxiety. We have trained our children to expect the latest Play Station or X Box or Wii. These items all come with very high price tags. And that doesn't even cover the game software that you have to purchase with them. If the gifts aren't piled high under the tree there isn't just disappointment, there's downright anger in some kids.

Many of us have forgotten the true reason for Christmas. It's about what happened over 2,000 years ago, and the impact it has had and is still having all these many years.

God came to earth as a baby. The Lord of all Creation left the glories of Heaven for a stable. He came knowing that He would be rejected as King of His Chosen People, that He would be betrayed, beaten, and eventually die a horrible death.

Why? Why did He give up so much? He did this because He loves us, His children. He sacrificed everything so that we might have eternal life. Everything that happened to Jesus was foretold. Read what it ways in Isaiah 53: 1~7:

1. Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?


2. He grew up before him like a tender shot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majest to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.


3. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.


4. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.


5. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.


6. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.


7. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

I pray that we all will take time the Christmas to ponder on the true meaning of Christmas. It's not about gifts. It's not about indulging in rich food and drink. It's not about decorating our houses with ornaments and lights. It's not even about spending time with loved ones.

Christmas is about Jesus. It's about our redemption by the death of this man - God walking on earth. Please, let us not forget this. Have a blessed Christmas, everyone.