Eye of the Storm
Greetings in the Lord!
This is a word published on 11/19/14 that I withdrew for more prayer and contemplation with the Holy Spirit, but feel led to re-post it as it is relevant for this season.
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Greetings in the Lord!
I wanted to share two dreams that I've had this week and the corresponding Scripture from the book of Jeremiah 6-7.
In the first dream I was sitting high upon a sand dune looking down at the beauty of the ocean before me. It was a wonderful day and there were lots of people playing and swimming in the water. Then I noticed off in the horizon that dark storm clouds were gathering off the southwest coast of our nation. They clumped together very quickly and did not form a usual, fluffy storm cloud, but rather, had the appearance of a clustered, dark swarm in the sky, moving in abrupt stages, but with calculated precision as if it was looking for something in particular--opportunity?
Next, the waves that had been playfully crashing along the beach drew way back, as if the sea was running away from the shoreline, going back into the deep. I recognized nature's ominous sign---a tsunami is gathering! I stood right up and yelled to the people down below, "Get out of the water! Quickly, get out of the water and come to safety! A tsunami is coming! A storm is coming! Get out! Get out!" But no one cared to listen because as I was yelling, the ocean turned from its deep blue to an almost crystal green color, like shallow tropical waters, which enamored the people and enticed them to grab black inner tubes and float on the water to curiously investigate instead of running for higher ground. I got so frustrated, "Those idiots! I did my job--they're on their own!" and I started climbing up the dune to even higher ground to find shelter.
When I reached the crest of the dune and started to walk through the trees and tall grass, I had an inclination to look over my shoulder. Seeing the sights, I immediately hid behind a tree: the swarm in the sky stopped to hover over the people and twisting funnel clouds zoomed in, going back and forth through the masses of people out on the water, causing all sorts of mayhem, while large waves swept over them. I watched in horror, but kept hiding behind the tree as it seemed the dark hovering cloud was scanning the hills looking for more people. Then I woke up.
The next dream was much shorter. I was in a large public washing place, kind of like the ones we had at Christian camp when I was young, but this could also have been a pre-prayer washing place. The shower areas were pretty dirty, so I took a moment to clean out the one I was going to use. Behind me on the wall was an old painting of Mother Mary--it was in the old Medieval, iconic style. While I was behind the curtain cleaning the washing area, someone came and started to scrape off the painting, as the image provoked deep hostility and rage in the person. This hate and rage was definitely directed at the Christian faith, so I remained hidden behind the curtain until they left the building and prayed that they wouldn't see me. That was the end of the dream.
The Scripture verses in Jeremiah 6-7 that I was led to read talk about an invading army of destroyers that come because of the sins of the people: they have turned their backs on God's ways and engage in idolatry, corruption, adultery and the like. The people refuse to listen to those who issue warnings to repent, in fact, many of the prophets of the land now declare, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace. They sugarcoat the Lord's words to appease the people and do not confront the people with their sins. Therefore, the Lord allows enemies to come and sweep over the land.
"Look, an army is coming from the land of the north; a great nation is being stirred up from the ends of the earth. They are armed with bow and spear; they are cruel and show no mercy. They sound like the roaring sea as they ride on their horses; they come like men in battle formation to attack you, O Daughter of Zion." Jeremiah 6:22-23.
The prophet advises the people to fast and pray, "put on sackcloth and roll in ashes; mourn with bitter wailing as for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us."
"When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you; when you call to them, they will not answer. Therefore say to them, 'This is the nation that has not obeyed the Lord its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips...take up a lament on the barren heights, for the Lord has rejected and abandoned this generation that is under His wrath." Jeremiah 7:27-29.
A somber word, for sure, but it is a timely word. As people of God we can do as the prophet suggests--pray and sincerely remember all the good things the Lord has done for us over this Thanksgiving/Christmas season. I feel a call to fast and pray, but that may be too much for many who are used to Thanksgiving and Christmas being all about eating good food and shopping for sales.
So let this holiday season be centered around your thanks and appreciation for all that the Lord has done for us, sing praises in the shadow of His wings, to Him who protects us, and call upon Him to continue to sustain us in the days ahead. May God give grace and peace and strength in this turbulent time. Amen.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
This is a word published on 11/19/14 that I withdrew for more prayer and contemplation with the Holy Spirit, but feel led to re-post it as it is relevant for this season.
______________________
Greetings in the Lord!
I wanted to share two dreams that I've had this week and the corresponding Scripture from the book of Jeremiah 6-7.
In the first dream I was sitting high upon a sand dune looking down at the beauty of the ocean before me. It was a wonderful day and there were lots of people playing and swimming in the water. Then I noticed off in the horizon that dark storm clouds were gathering off the southwest coast of our nation. They clumped together very quickly and did not form a usual, fluffy storm cloud, but rather, had the appearance of a clustered, dark swarm in the sky, moving in abrupt stages, but with calculated precision as if it was looking for something in particular--opportunity?
Next, the waves that had been playfully crashing along the beach drew way back, as if the sea was running away from the shoreline, going back into the deep. I recognized nature's ominous sign---a tsunami is gathering! I stood right up and yelled to the people down below, "Get out of the water! Quickly, get out of the water and come to safety! A tsunami is coming! A storm is coming! Get out! Get out!" But no one cared to listen because as I was yelling, the ocean turned from its deep blue to an almost crystal green color, like shallow tropical waters, which enamored the people and enticed them to grab black inner tubes and float on the water to curiously investigate instead of running for higher ground. I got so frustrated, "Those idiots! I did my job--they're on their own!" and I started climbing up the dune to even higher ground to find shelter.
When I reached the crest of the dune and started to walk through the trees and tall grass, I had an inclination to look over my shoulder. Seeing the sights, I immediately hid behind a tree: the swarm in the sky stopped to hover over the people and twisting funnel clouds zoomed in, going back and forth through the masses of people out on the water, causing all sorts of mayhem, while large waves swept over them. I watched in horror, but kept hiding behind the tree as it seemed the dark hovering cloud was scanning the hills looking for more people. Then I woke up.
The next dream was much shorter. I was in a large public washing place, kind of like the ones we had at Christian camp when I was young, but this could also have been a pre-prayer washing place. The shower areas were pretty dirty, so I took a moment to clean out the one I was going to use. Behind me on the wall was an old painting of Mother Mary--it was in the old Medieval, iconic style. While I was behind the curtain cleaning the washing area, someone came and started to scrape off the painting, as the image provoked deep hostility and rage in the person. This hate and rage was definitely directed at the Christian faith, so I remained hidden behind the curtain until they left the building and prayed that they wouldn't see me. That was the end of the dream.
The Scripture verses in Jeremiah 6-7 that I was led to read talk about an invading army of destroyers that come because of the sins of the people: they have turned their backs on God's ways and engage in idolatry, corruption, adultery and the like. The people refuse to listen to those who issue warnings to repent, in fact, many of the prophets of the land now declare, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace. They sugarcoat the Lord's words to appease the people and do not confront the people with their sins. Therefore, the Lord allows enemies to come and sweep over the land.
"Look, an army is coming from the land of the north; a great nation is being stirred up from the ends of the earth. They are armed with bow and spear; they are cruel and show no mercy. They sound like the roaring sea as they ride on their horses; they come like men in battle formation to attack you, O Daughter of Zion." Jeremiah 6:22-23.
The prophet advises the people to fast and pray, "put on sackcloth and roll in ashes; mourn with bitter wailing as for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us."
"When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you; when you call to them, they will not answer. Therefore say to them, 'This is the nation that has not obeyed the Lord its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips...take up a lament on the barren heights, for the Lord has rejected and abandoned this generation that is under His wrath." Jeremiah 7:27-29.
A somber word, for sure, but it is a timely word. As people of God we can do as the prophet suggests--pray and sincerely remember all the good things the Lord has done for us over this Thanksgiving/Christmas season. I feel a call to fast and pray, but that may be too much for many who are used to Thanksgiving and Christmas being all about eating good food and shopping for sales.
I just keep remembering Ecclesiastes 7:2-6:
"It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke than to listen to the song of fools. Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless."
"It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke than to listen to the song of fools. Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless."
So let this holiday season be centered around your thanks and appreciation for all that the Lord has done for us, sing praises in the shadow of His wings, to Him who protects us, and call upon Him to continue to sustain us in the days ahead. May God give grace and peace and strength in this turbulent time. Amen.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
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