Let Us Wash Our Minds…

I recently added a Section titled “Scriptural Truths.” I will be adding and updating this as much as I can.

“We tear down arguments, and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Cor 10:5

One of the most challenging areas in our walk is to gather the Truth around us in order to walk in the renewal of our minds. If we are going to walk in the fullness of the power, peace and rest that was placed inside us, we must walk in agreement with what the Word of God say about any and all matters…

This is especially true about what the Word has to say about us.

You are His child. You are His beloved. You are His redeemed.

Stop turning to the world for your identity and peace and rest. It does NOT exist there. It will always elude you. It is a goal steeped in the belief system of the god of this Age.

“Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” John 12:42

Trying to add to your self-worth is death. It is fallen thinking. It is carnal. It is NOT who you are.

The time has come for the body to put off the grave clothes in our thinking. It is for freedom He set us free. Your hearts are free. Have the courage to follow the life that dwells in power inside you.

Brothers and Sisters of the living God. This is our time. This is our hour. This is our destiny.
Walk as the sons and daughters of God amongst the Earth in the manner we were meant to…

… and rescue His lost children.

-David

Carousels and Food Courts

I don’t much care for crowds.

They have too many people in them.

Seriously, I find it hard to navigate my way through the masses of pain and hurt. Their longing, wandering, lost souls are beacons of wounds shining out from within them. I can hear their hearts crying out in many different ways, but every heart, in the end, beckons to have answered one question:

“Am I worth being loved?”

It’s a sea of differing pangs and groans that all blend into a singular and rather loud cacophony of aches and moans. I’ll near one person and hear their heart weeping, then it gets quieter and more distant as I pass on and begin to pick up the sounds of whoever I am walking closer to. What can I say…? It’s a gift.

I don’t much care for crowds.

Which is why I asked the Holy Spirit to hide me away in my own little world so that I could spend some “daddy date” time with my almost 5 year old, Daniel. He did. It was wonderful. Lost in the love for my son, and the love God ministers to me through him, every person at the Danbury Mall was a dull droning sound that was easily drowned out by the simple, sweet music of the carousel we road together just outside the food court.

Some things never change though, such as circular-induced nausea, and I found myself forcing a sweaty, strained smile in response to Daniel gleefully announcing he needed to use the restroom as this machine-that-never-should-have-been-created ground to a halt.

It was then that I saw a young couple, with their infant, speaking in hushed words around a small food court table. Neither could have been more than twenty-four years old. She spoke low and slowly and I could tell by her demeanor she was very upset about something as she leaned in to address her partner. Sorrow and restrained anger were etched on her face… but above all pain. They were some twenty feet away and other occupied tables were between us, so I did not hear what her words were.

But, I heard her heart…. and his. The young man spoke not a word to her, his eyes silent and sullen. His spirit was broken. Hers was too, but in a different way. Instantly I knew their story and all that kept them together was a broken-hearted love for each other and great fear of the unknown. 

I turned away and gently massaged my Daniel’s soft hand as we walked on. The Lord didn’t say a word to me. He asked me nothing and I asked Him nothing. No words were exchanged and I was quite content to wipe my eyes and move on.

I had completely forgotten about them and upon exiting the restroom, Daniel once again holding my hand, I saw them in the same position. She leaning over him, and he silently looking up at her while she spoke. The baby was all quiet.

I peered down at my son who was looking all around, his face the picture of joyful, quiet contentment. I watched his gaze and saw the peace and wonder on his countenance. His eyes moved about the large food area from one scene to another. He was home. He knew how loved he was and the world was a magical, beautiful playground to him.  My sweet, strong, gentle warrior. This gift God gave me that I never thought I would be granted. He was in perfect peace.

They… were not. Again, I noticed the Lord spoke nothing to me, and there was not a thought in my head that I cared to speak to Father about in that moment. In that moment, I thought only of them.

“Hello.”

She immediately turned to me and very sweetly asked if we need the table. I shook my head, not sure if I would be able to talk. I looked at the young man who was still seated, and he gazed up at me with eyes that bore witness to too many things already …

“I remember what it was like to have a single baby. now I have three. I can see it is strong love that keeps you three together. Would you be offended if I prayed for you and your baby?”

The man said nothing, and I knew he wouldn’t. He couldn’t. I knew that already. But she did.

“If you really want to, you can.” she said, tears already welling up in her eyes.

Daniel said nothing, just looked at them, in perfect peace and innocence, as I stooped down a bit to announce we were going to pray. It was a quiet, simple prayer, and I had to stop a moment to finish my words as I felt His love flowing through me toward them. I blessed them. I blessed their child. I proclaimed they would know His love and peace and that Jesus died for them. I claimed protection over their baby now and always. I prayed for their love to grow in truth. Finally, I thanked God for these two beautiful people.

I looked back up at each of them and told them how much God loved them. Tears were rolling down her cheeks and I placed my hand just above the man’s shoulder for the briefest of moments. Then I smiled, turned, and walked back toward the carousel.

Daniel was already looking around again, eyes going to and fro about the court. He didn’t even stop his visual meandering as he asked me in the most causal manner, “Daddy, why did we pray for them?” 

My throat closed and my eyes blurred at his words. “why did we pray…?”

In all that I have seen and heard and felt and grieved and loved so far, I’d have never thought I would so soon see my son know the heart of God so purely. Already I can sense he understands some things more clearly than the one who stewards his soul.

They needed God’s love, Daniel.” was all I said.

“Yeah…” he said, looking intently at some aspect of that horrid contraption. ” I know, Dad.”

The love we possess, is the only love we can share with others. I am far from a specimen of love. But He has done so much in me as I have responded to His calling on my heart. There is soooo much left to do in me, but in the words of my estranged brother, Rich Mullins, “..so much You’d already done..”

“Come away with me, David.” I hear Him say…again and again and again. It is in these quiet, often lonely places that we touch His heart, and He touches ours. This is where we are changed. This is the inner courts of His presence. It’s beyond soul, beyond mental ascent, beyond apologetics and doctrines and pre, mid and post tribulation theological debates.

It is Him. It melts the ice that so quickly can grow in my heart, and is the salve on my eyes. He is my Balm of Gilead. One day I shall learn to abide there always. Until that time, I’ll keep answering the call to come away with Him. And if I have found favor with any of you, pray He touches my heart more. 

I need so much more… The Lord has so much more to give… It comes through His presence. It comes through His Church, His beloved.

It comes through you…

( Continued Here: Please Click for “Answering The Call Part 1”)

Shalom

—-

When Deep Calls To Deep…

I play the bagpipes…

…but these days I hear only drums. Deep, guttural beats calling deep within me.

There is a relational vacuum in the body of Christ in this generation. The teachings of what it truly means to be a Child of God, and all the terrifying beauty that comes with that ordination have been mostly discarded and replaced with teachings of comfort and wealth and tolerance.

There is so much more for us. Even as the whirlwind of the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble” looms closer and closer, I also perceive another whirlwind.

His love is stirring  up within the Valley of Dry Bones. There is a remnant coming forth who will answer the midnight call as her Lover thrusts His hand through the locked latches of our hearts.

He is calling us. I can hear the beating of the drums in the late watches of the night. It wakes me up. Literally.  I must talk with Him. I must speak to Him. I can hear Him calling,

“Come…”

I am so far from being perfect it’s laughable. Ask those who spend time with me. I can be volatile and moody. Sullen and irritable, with the occasional  “Yeah, God bless ya too… jerk.” thrown in for good measure.

But…

I can also pray. And man… the peace that I find when I just sit with Him for a little while. After my wife, Maija has gone to bed, and I have finished my rounds throughout the house I can also perceive something else calling to me.

The cares and joys of this world. They becon. They whisper. They speak softly to me these days.

“Come, let us reason together. It’s been a while…”

I ignore them. Yes… life can be cruel. And yes, for those of you pondering the question: bagpipes do in fact hold grudges, I assure you. They take it out on my fingers and my ears. But that’s Ok.  

Here is the point of this though. Last night, when I sat quietly in my chair, He gently spoke to me, but not about myself. He spoke to me about all of you. He is calling all His children to Himself. He is speaking to everyone’s’ hearts in this generation as never before. And here is the great kicker about it … none of you can call me crazy… because I know you are feeling the same low, bass undercurrent of drums beating afar off in your own hearts.

That tug you feel standing in line at the store? That is Him. That odd something you think you have forgotten that leaves you just a bit sullen without any understanding why? Him. The feeling of a loss when you have a silent moment, when the phones are not being texted or the radio turned up…? Yep. That is the Spirit of God.

He loves you all. He is calling you to Himself. In Him are things that cannot even be described adequately.

Please, don’t fear holiness. Don’t fear what you may start to “give up.” If ever I asked anyone to borrow my “faith”… trust me now. There is a Sabbath Rest for those who enter into that secret place with Him. Don’t know what I mean by a “Sabbath Rest” ? Try to imagine a cessation of all things that restrict and pull and cling and clutter and drain and dry your soul. He is our Sabbath. He is inviting you each to enter in.

Life can be cruel… and I am seeking something more. Something beyond it all. Something that “Cruel” can never touch.

You know the way there as well.

LINK to READ: Understanding the Times Pat 3

Just follow the sound of those drums….