But I Can't Smile

There are many things that I take for granted; a roof over my head, a car that drives me places, food on the table and clothes that fit me.  Daily things like taking a shower, eating breakfast somewhat leisurely, spending time meditating on God’s word and worshipping Him.  I have friends that are a wonderful support for me and my husband. A church body, who are really like another family to us.  I have opportunities to run (if my knees don’t give out), walk, have coffee with old friends, new friends, and laughing together.  I see God working in all of these everyday things.

I met a man whose name is Randal.  He is in a wheelchair, due to a severe stroke he had because he overdosed and was in a coma for quite a while.  I heard his story one evening while I was with a group down in Olympia for a Crazy Faith Feed.  Three of us were across the street at the transit station just talking and praying with people before the feed began.  It was so rainy, windy and cold. It’s just crazy weather that comes in November here in western Washington.

Randal is probably in his 50’s.  His whole left side is paralyzed from a stroke and he can’t smile. The muscles in his face are paralyzed by the stroke that he had.  He had been in a coma for quite some time and apparently the medical staff weren’t sure if he’d even wake up.  Well, he did. Since that time, he has done some therapy and works part-time in a special program.  He has also gotten to know God, at a certain level.  It wasn’t clear to me where he was in his relationship with God, but he knew who God was.

What touched my heart was when I asked Randal if I could pray for him.  He said yes.  Then he said, “But, I can’t smile.”  I looked at him and said, “That’s ok.  You smile in your eyes.”  His eyes got even brighter!  So, I prayed a blessing over him.  I asked God to restore to him what was taken.  Said amen, and was about to leave, when Holy Spirit stopped me.  I clearly heard Holy Spirit say, “ Hug him.”  I looked at Randal and said, “Randal, may I give you a hug?”  He said, “Yes, but I can’t smile.”  So, I bent down and gave Randal a hug.

One would think that a simple gesture like a hug would be easy.  But, this time it was so different.  As I bent down and wrapped my arms around Randal, I sensed that Jesus’ arms were my arms wrapping Himself around Randal.  As I hugged him, the hug went deeper.  Randal grasped my one arm with his good hand and held on.  The hug went even deeper.  I could feel the Presence of God around us.  This was amazing.  I have no idea how long that hug really was, but it seemed like a very long time. 

I broke apart, and looked into Randal’s eyes and he said to me,” I can’t smile.  I haven’t been hugged in 14 years.”  His eyes were moist with tears and so were mine.  Fourteen years is a very long time to not have any intimate human touch.  So, Jesus hugged Randal.  Through me, Jesus used my ordinary arms to hug another human being craving human touch.  Jesus.  He knew what Randal needed right at that moment; a hug.  I was there and Jesus knows that I love to hug people.  You know what?  I gave Randal another hug!  It was just like the first one.  And again, Randal says, “I can’t smile.”  “But, Randal”, I said, “You are smiling.  I see it in your eyes. Jesus gave you that hug because He loves you and knew you needed it.”

I left there and had that whole encounter in my thoughts the rest of the evening.  You know, the simplest things sometimes are the most needed.  I am blessed for having the opportunity to hug Randal. That made a great impact on me.  In fact, I count that to be probably the best GIFT I have ever given and received back. I think mostly because of the deepness of what happened.  I could FEEL Jesus' arms in mine as I gave that hug. It wasn't just His presence, it was Him working my arms.

This holiday season, we rush around trying to get so many things accomplished for whatever reason.  I encourage each of you to maybe, stop and look around you.  Ask Holy Spirit, “Who needs a hug from Jesus today?  May I be His arms?”   It will change your life as well as the person you give the hug to.

Singing or Worshipping: Is It More than That?

“Why I’ve Stopped Singing in Your Church”, is an article I read and am commenting on.

The author of that blog, well he’s rather self-absorbed in my opinion. I noticed the word “I” so many times.  Me thinks that as a true worshipper, we should be worshipping on our own throughout the week and not just on Sunday. We should spend every day worshipping the God who created us all, in a very unique way.  This can be done with singing or praying the Psalms or just having a conversation with Papa God. It is a time of relationship between you and God the Father. A special time with the One you love.

Now, when we come together on Sunday, we sing together as the worship leader, leads. They don't perform, but lead. Of course, it is a fine line that one travels when leading worship.  

(Let me say here, that I understand that there is a performance issue in some churches. The lead guitar or singer doing something that the congregation can’t sing. But remember, even an organist is performing before the Lord of Hosts.  The choir performs before the Lord of Hosts. A soloist performs before the Lord of Hosts. The congregation performs before the Lord of Hosts. So don’t get your knickers in a bunch.  Even the Angels perform before the Lord of Hosts.)

The worship leader is dealing with so many different people with diverse tastes and backgrounds. There are the older folk who grew up in the church with the stalwart hymns, my age group who grew up in the 60’s and 70’s either grew up in the church or were saved through the Jesus People Movement with a mix of “New” Christian music along with the hymns. Then there are the younger ones, who were born in the 80’s and 90’s and enjoy a totally different style of music and maybe didn’t grow up in the church; all very diverse, from all walks of life and that’s just the way Jesus wants it would be.  He didn’t call the church-goer, He called all people to Himself. He called all people into a relationship with Himself.  As we develop our own relationship with God, it becomes deeper and more worshipful.  We then know WHO we are IN Christ (our true Identity) and can then move into a greater relationship with one another.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

(Colossians 3:1-3; 12-17 NIV)

As verse 16 says, we need to “let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Maybe, we all need to sit back and refocus as to WHY we are sitting in a pew every Sunday. Not every song these days touches my heart at first, but I refuse to become self-absorbed with the style of music “I” like. God is so much bigger than that. My worship is more than what “I” like about style of music or the sermon.  Yes, I wish to learn and be encouraged in my journey with God.  That is why we gather together to worship and why we need to worship at home as well.

 

You must remember however, that all the enemy wants to do, in our mind is to only focus on the music and style instead of our Creator. Don't allow that. That becomes prideful, which was Satan's downfall.  Don’t allow the “old man or carnal man” to speak to you.  That Old Man is dead.  The new man is alive and worshipping the Creator God. 

So, let us congregate together, encourage one another and worship the God who lives in us. Remember, His fullness abides in each believer. Let us worship in love one for another. In doing so, we honor God who created each one of us and we honor each of our gifts. This includes music as well.

What's the Ancient Path?

Me:  Papa, Jeremiah speaks of " the ancient paths".  What are they?

God:  Instead of telling you, draw close to me.

Me:  Ok, I enjoy it when I can do that.

God:  Now, come here and let's take a walk.  I want to show you something.

Me:  Ok. You always show me new and fun things.

God:  (smiles at me). That's because you enjoy our time together and want to learn.
           Look here. (He points). What do you see?

Me:  I see - Wow- beauty.  (I look at Him.)  This is far beyond anything I can imagine.  What's that road?

God:  (He smiles). You noticed! Good. Let's walk there for a bit.

---we walk in in silence and I'm looking around.
Everything is quiet, except for nature. It was ... singing.

Me:  Papa, is nature singing? I think I hear a song.

God:  Yes, it sings to me everyday. I enjoy it.

Me:  Wow!  Nature sings to you. I'd love to hear this all the time.

-- we walk some more--

God:  You know you can listen to this song on earth.

Me:  I can?

God:  Oh, yes, on earth - nature sings to me all the time.

Me:  Yes, I can believe that. I hear it when I take a walk in the woods; where there are no cars, people, distractions.

God:  (He gives a wry smile.). You can become distracted easily. You enjoy and care about many things. That's not bad, in and of itself.  Its only when you forget about me, that s when I get sad. I miss your company.  It means a lot to mean.

Me:  (I look at Him, His eyes are shining!). I love you, Papa!  (I HUG Him and He wraps His arms around me.)

God:  I love you too, Sue.  Come. Let's walk some more.

Me:  Ok.

God:  How do you feel right now?

Me:  Fine.

God:  How do you feel?

Me: (quizzically looking at Him). Fine, Papa.

God:  Sue, are you free from anxiety? Are you free from burdens?

Me:  (thinking)  Yes, Papa, I am, especially when I'm with you.  I am then at peace.

God:  (He nods). This is what I call "My Rest".  You come and walk with me. You spend time with me. As you do, the cares of the world wash away.   Are you thirsty?

Me:  Why, yes I am.

God: Come, let's go to the River.

--we walk a bit and He points--

God:  This is the River of Living Water.  You may come and drink of it at any time.

Me:  (dipping my hands in and making a cup, then drinking). Wow!  Papa, this tastes so good!  Its refreshing and nourishing. Is there anything like it on earth?

God:  (laughs). No. You must come here to drink. This comes directly from my Throne room.  So, each time you visit, you are free to drink from it.

Me:  Thank you, Papa.

(He sits down on the grass next to the river)

God: (pats the spot next to Him). Sue, come sit. Lay your head on my lap. (He strokes my head lightly)  Rest.  Be at peace.  Let Me surround you.

Me:  Ah, Papa, this is wonderful.  Papa, is this..... no.... are YOU the ancient paths?  Is this, where we are now, the "rest" my soul needs?

God:  (still stroking my head)  Yes, Sue, it is.  I am the ancient paths, the good way.  All who come to me and enter in with me enjoy my rest.  They are then complete.

Thus says the LORD,
"Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths,
Where the good way is, and walk in it;
And you will find rest for your souls...."
Jeremiah 6:16

The Three Stones - a fable

Narrator: Once upon a time there was a man crossing the Arabian Desert.

 Man: I have been traveling for so long… I need to find a place to rest.

 Narrator: Suddenly he saw a cave, and when he entered the cave he found an old man inside.

 Old Man: Come in, and rest for a while.

 Man: Thank you, good man… it's been a long day.

 Old Man: Where are you going?

 Man: I want to cross the desert.

 Old Man: It will be hard. Do you know that?

 Man: Yes, I do. It's been hard already.

 Old Man: Let me give you an advice…to cross the desert you will need three things.

 Man: What three things?

 Old Man: Take these three stones.

 Narrator: The man took the three stones.

 

Man: They are beautiful… is this a topaz?

 Old Man: Yes, it is … it means faith. It's yellow like the desert sand.

 

Man: What about the other two?

 

Old Man: This is an emerald… it means hope. It is green like palm leaves.

 Man: I like the red one.

 Old Man: This is a ruby… it means charity. It's red like the west sun. You should always walk to the south where you will find an oasis… there you will be happy. But don't ever loose the stones!

 Man: What if I loose them?

 Old Man: You will not reach your destiny.

 Man: I appreciate your gift, and I will do as you say. I will leave tomorrow morning.

 Narrator: Next day, the man started his journey again. He traveled miles and miles in his camel through the desert, and one day he thought.

 Man: What if that old man tricked me? What if there isn't the oasis he promised me? This desert seems endless!

Narrator: Then he felt something falling from his pocket.

 

Man: The topaz! I have to pick it up. No… no… I have to trust in what the old man said. I will keep walking.

 Narrator: After a few days, weather harshness had weaken him. He was about to give up, when again he felt something falling from his pocket. It was the emerald stone, and he thought.

 Man: I have to be strong and calm down. Maybe the oasis is near. I have to keep traveling… if not, I'm sure I will die.

 Narrator: So he kept on walking until he found a water puddle near a palm tree. He was about to get into the water when he looked at the camel's eyes.

 Man: Oh, you are also thirsty. Come here, drink some water… I can still resist.

 Narrator: The camel drank some water, and suddenly he died.

 Man: What's wrong! Oh I see! … the water is poisoned!

 

Narrator: Then he saw something sparkling in the sand. It was the ruby.

 

Man: I have to pick it up.

 

Narrator: Then he looked up to the sky.

 Man: Thank you God, for keeping me alive.

 

Narrator: While he was looking up to the sky he saw some palm trees.

 Man: The oasis! I have to go there!

 Narrator: When he reached the oasis he found the old man near the clean water.

 

Old Man: You have reached the oasis because you have kept the three precious stones. Faith, Hope, and Charity. If you hadn't kept them, you would be dead by now!

 

Man: Thank you for giving me the stones…they kept me safe.

 Old Man: Always keep these three stones in your heart, and when the time comes to leave this world, your will get to paradise. Don't ever loose them.

 Narrator: And suddenly the old man disappeared.

The End

Author: Arabian Folktale

Adapted by K I D S I N C O