Papa God, Who Am I?

I asked Papa God this question one day:

Who am I?

He answered and I am to declare it on myself, because He did first.

I am

A saint

I am

Faithful in Jesus

I am

Blessed with

Every spiritual blessing

In the heavenly places

In Christ

I am

Chosen

Before the foundation of the world

Chosen to be “sons”

Adopted in His family

            through Jesus

            to God Himself

I am

Redeemed through His blood

I am

Forgiven

            According to the riches of His Grace

           

I am

His partner in all things

I am

His glorious inheritance

The first to hope in Christ

            joyful expectations

I am

Sealed in Christ through the Holy Spirit

I am

His Bride

I am

Full of His faith

            Spirit of Wisdom

        Spirit of Faith

I am

Seated with Christ

In the Heavenly realms

At His right Hand

            with His authority

Above and He put things under His feet

I am

Full of His fullness

My Birthday

I have been reading through "My Craziest Adventures with God, Volume 1" by Praying Medic (who is a good friend of mine).  These have been most inspiring.  His first book, "Divine Healing Made Simple", is a kind of "how to" when it comes to healing.  That was really good, but I have been even more inspired by his "Craziest Adventures with God".  Partly, I think it is because these are real stories. Fully human and fully in partnership with God.  I have discovered lately, that God really does wish to partner more and more with us.  Those encounters not only encourage us, but propels His will and plan for those that we come in contact with; Heaven invading earth, so to speak.

This is another journal entry from December 16, 2014.  My birthday.  After the encounter, I was higher than a kite emotionally.  I think I could have danced all night.  Anyway, this was my conversation with Papa God afterwards.  I find these debriefing times more valuable in my journey.

Me:     Good Morning, Papa!

God:   Good Morning, Sue.  Did you have a nice birthday?

Me:     Oh my yes, I sure did.  Thank you.  It was rather busy.  I wish I’d spent time with you more.

God:   I was watching and enjoying your joy.  It thrills me that you have so much joy. Want to know what else?

Me:     Sure.

God:   Your heart is so full; you spilled over to the woman at the Food bank.  I know you don’t like going by yourself, but I am there with you.  You can depend on that.  You broke through you own barriers and helped someone, right?

Me:     Yes!  Oh my goodness!  I couldn’t help myself.  She was doing some sort of exercise for her hand.  I know she had some sort of wrist issue.

God:   Yes, she fell on the ice and broke it.  She was suppose to play her viola throughout December but of course, couldn’t after breaking it and then having surgery.  She’s a wonderful musician. I love hearing her play.  (smiles)

Me:     Well, when she showed me her scar, I was a bit taken aback at first.  I think what went through my mind was – how do I pray over this?

God:   Yes, I know.  Your boldness took over and you stepped out of your comfort zone. Well done!  (Hugs me)

Me:     Thank you, Papa.  I still have more to learn regarding praying for healing.  When I read Praying Medic’s second book, I am encouraged. That little bit of encouragement pushes me.  What was really cool was when she felt her tendons and muscles being stretched and having more motion in her wrist!  That was cool.  I wish I had more time to pray with her.

God:   (Big Smile) Yes, that encouraged her; a wonderful gift to her.  I love to hear her play. She will play again and better. You began the healing she needs. She is spiritually aware,not a believer, yet. (smiles)  I am pursuing her. Your encounter with her was instrumental, so thank you for “stepping out of the boat” and giving to her.

Me:     Your welcome, Papa.  (smile)  I love you so much!

God:   (Smiles and hugs me) I know.  I love you more; beyond the stars and your universe. You are my daughter in whom I am well pleased.

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