Known and Unknown

 The Unknown

 

The unknown is the seat

in the doctor’s office

The unknown is the cyst you discover

As you shower

The unknown is the

darkness of depression

The unknown is the blankness

Of mental illness

The known is the Great Physician

Jehovah-Rapha

The known is the scarred nail-pierced

hands you discover

reaching out toward you

holding you tight and center

The known is the Light, the Way, and

The Truth shining on the path

Through your valley of the shadow

The known is His mind

To bless you

And give you a hope and future

(Jeremiah 29:11)

Remember, Beloved

It is not who you have,

But Who has you

Godex

What does it mean to have God’s perspective on time? A  day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as a day in God’s sight. Can I operate in God’s timing? Can I wait as He does for people to turn to Him? Can I exude the same kind of patient passion that causes him to listen for the squeak of door of a heart that is turning towards Him? It is hard because I recognize that God has the advantage doesn’t He? He knows the end from the beginning, and He knows the hearts that ultimately are His.  But, He also knows those that will be separated from His all eternity. So how does He live  and love in the moment with the future prodigal and traitor? How does He enjoy the moment with me when my betrayal is just around the corner?

If my times and seasons are in His hands (Psalm 31:15), why do I struggle so?  I long to walk like my Daddy God, never in a head-long rush, totally at ease and patient, trusting the end is in sight, but, I dislike going around the mountain again and again. Waiting for someone to grow or change- that person can even be me.  Genesis 1:14  records  how God made seasons from the beginning:

"And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years"

 What I need is God’s perspective, but how do I get it? How can a transient ephemeral being act like a non-time dimensional ever-present, ever-existing God?

 I don’t know, but I need His sense of timing. I don’t need a Rolex, I need a Godex watch that helps me wait in seasons, repeat do-overs with grace, and a hand-out a constant supply of gracious patience to others. God help me. I want to be like the men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do--200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command" (1 Chronicles 12:32).
 

A Fellow-Time Traveler,
MJ

 You and I both know that "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing"  (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4).

May  He "who changes times and seasons [,who] removes kings and sets up kings[, who] gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding" (Daniel 1:12) bless you with all these things and more.

Your Slingshot - Your Man

There were plenty other warriors and many other giants, but Goliath belonged to David. I am only beginning to understand that now.  There are principalities and powers that have their eyes on us, and God means for us to take them out.   I know an individual who has a larger calling and anointing on his than he realizes.  He has caught the eyes of the enemy. He desires to derail the person's life-calling and God’s purpose for his existence, and he is working very hard to that end. 

A friend of mine believes that David had five stones because there were five giants.  David eventually equips others, his mighty men, and even his nephews, to help him take out the other giants.

What giant is God calling you to knock down?  You may not have the attention of principalities and powers like Daniel did (Daniel 14). You may not ever have angelic visitations, but if you are about your Father’s business, be sure that all heaven and hell are standing at attention. Good work ,soldier.

One foot soldier to Another.

MJ

The Race

The Race
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day- and not only me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
Hebrews 12:1-3 instructs us how to run our spiritual race: throw aside all hindrances: since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Paul also urges to run the race set before us by comparing the believer to  an experienced Greek runner who runs for a fading laurel crown, who brings his body under submission to win this fading trophy.  But our race is for eternal glory.

We are in a relay race of sorts, and we pass our spiritual baton to our children, friends, and associates. The first runner gets into the blocks, pressing his heels firmly against them; he tightly grips the small cylinder known as a baton.  As he hears the gun go off, he explodes from the starting blocks.  Despite sweaty palms and an anxious heart, he runs with all his might. He hits a full stride, lengthening his gait, and then he makes the switches the baton from left to right in hands, preparing to pass it to the next runner. As he reaches out his right hand with the baton, his teammate reaches his own outstretched arm to grasp it tightly. This transfer will happen two more times, but if the baton is dropped the runner is disqualified and the whole team loses.  The last runner must keep the baton tightly clenched in his sweaty palms.  It is not only an issue of speed but accuracy.
 I am in such place now. I am preparing to pass the baton on to those who will continue the race in the public school. How accurate will my departure be? It must be perfectly timed with the Holy Spirit. He knows the dispensations of time. I trust Him.
We have all been given a baton of truth, power, and influence. To whom do we pass them, how, and when? To win the race Paul speaks of requires patience, timing, to hand “it” off at the perfect moment. The Hebrews refer to it as Ha-Moedim- the appointed season. I want to be like the sons of Issachar who know the seasons.
You don’t want to relax your stance now. Keep your pent-up anxiety as you ready. Stay focused; jump up  and down, if you must.  Just don’t get relaxed. The race is about to begin. Get up out of the blocks, but don’t go too far. You never know when the call  to return will come. This break is not a release at-all. We just have not started; stay focused.  God will call you back when He is ready for you.  Stay limber: Keep moving and stretching out legs. Don’t get tight.

The race is about to begin. All that jumping before was to prepare you for these hurdles that face you. Do you hear the crowd of witnesses cheering you on? Don’t give up; no matter how bleak the outlook seems. Believe despite your feelings and past experiences. Jump high and over every obstacle that keeps you from entering into God’s best- into His rest.
Fellow Runner,
M J

How to be A Giant-Slayer

Wow.  Once, I went to Gaza and visited an all-girls school. Gaza is actually the site on ancient Gath- a place made famous by a little shepherd boy who would become King David and a giant named Goliath. David faced his giant in God’s armor and refused the carnal trappings represented by Saul’s armor. 5 stones, exactly 5 stones for 5 Philistines chiefs. At least, that is what my friend Sadyl believes.  

I want to fly above the storm. Not listen to the enemy’s taunts. Look at Goliath in the shadow of Adonai.   I want to be a person who is mature in my view of God’s sovereignty.  But sometimes, I falter. Things look impossible, especially when thing is someone else’s heart and emotions. How can I change such things? How can God. He says that He can change the king’s heart like courses of water. But, sometimes, He changes me. Like today, here I am kvetching, a good Yiddish word for worrying, about one issue, and God gives an answer to a need I had not asked  Him to touch, and by so doing,  showing me how much bigger He is than any Goliath that tries to stand in the way of His will for my life.

About a month ago, the Lord showed me in a dream a team on outreach that was attacked.   I immediately contacted the outreach leader and intercessors from this group.  When a couple involved in the outreach learned about the attack that I had envisioned, they wrote to thank me for listening to God and praying for them and their children who are also involved in the outreach. They were, in their words, so blessed that God was concerned enough to show someone the plans of the enemy. When I read their words, I could only think …wow… how mature to accept the sovereignty of God. To see things from God’s plan and accept what seems evil as ultimately passing through God’s hands and being for our best. That requires a trust and maturity that I want to exhibit.

 If I am honest, I would be tempted to ask questions why and want to ‘change’ God’s mind. I will never be a giant-slayer that way. I must remind myself of the lion and the bear, the obstacles, that I have already slew with God’s mighty sword of the Word and my testimony. I must boldly say that this uncircumcised Philistine will be as one of these, cut down by God’s fidelity and my trust in Him, and my bold confession.

I say that I want God’s will, but when it does not agree with my desires, my true opinion of God’s will and sovereignty, is truly revealed. God forgive me. If I believe that God is good and trust that He plans are to bless and prosper me than I can trust in His sovereignty- His timing, His choices,  … when He says yes or no.

From One Giant-Slayer to Another,

MJ

"What's in a Name?"

You’ve obviously got me confused with someone else.

I am the daughter of the King.

I have His ear and know His secrets,

When He is ready to pull down a kingdom, I am alerted.

When death is to visit a home, He whispers in my ear, “Get ready.”

Obviously, this is a case  of mistaken identity.

You mistook me for someone who slightly resembles me- perhaps the baker’s daughter

or the cobbler’s niece,

But hear me clearly tell you- I am the daughter of the King

If you didn’t recognize in the tilt of my head

as I graciously leaned forward to listen the child who had fallen

…perhaps the lilt of my voice portrayed my lineage,

what the sway of hips and graceful movement may convey,

the erect carriage and steady shoulders leave no doubt,

for those with the least discernment, it should be apparently clear

I am the daughter of the king and no man’s handmaiden

I know the sound of my Father’s steps and understand the sighs of his breath

I translate His words for foreign dignitaries and leaders of nations

I never have or will ever be common

So you see, you must have confused me with someone else

One who does not her place or value

One who does not know  her parentage

But I am not such a one

I am the daughter of the King

You cannot name me

For I am already named

Beloved

Such a name graces me as ointment and beautiful jewels

It is the name that My Father chose for me

So, since I am His

And His delight is in me

I can delight in all that He has made and made me to be

So, you must excuse as I leave these tawdry baubles behind

The emeralds, diamonds, and sapphires that my Father

Adorns me with await me in His chamber

Beauty for ashes

Joy for mourning

 A Spirit of gladness for despair

I have an appearance before the King today

He wishes to see me dance

Some new step I have envisioned to

Enthrall my Father

With quick lively leaps I enter into

His courts

Courtiers, musicians, and royalty seeking

Audience with my Father

Must wait for He sees me enter

and the joy that lights

His visage causes

All eyes to turn to me

For I am the daughter of the king

Nothing enthralls me as much

As knowing that I bring such pure

Pleasure to my Papa

I relish the time spent with Him

Running  to His throne

I am caught up in His embrace

As He rises to catch me mid-air

The daughter of the King

Safe, loved, and adored

By the only One who matters

P.S.

Now, act like it!