Walking the Ancient Paths with the Shepherd

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The Great Weepers

For you, O LORD, have delivered
my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
Psalm 116:8-9 (NIV).

As we wander the earth, God knows each step that we take. Many of these pilgrimages lead to pain, but God collects each tear. In Middle Eastern cultures, it was a common funerary tradition for people to cry, collecting tears into a bottle, to symbolize loss and the extent of love for the deceased. In fact, mourners were often paid by the copiousness of their tears; as they walked, they carried cups in which to catch the falling tears. Those who mourned the destruction of Jerusalem's temple cried into such bottles which are now treasured relics.

We know, at least in our heads, that God is near to the broken-hearted and saves those crushed in spirit. We might even rely on the promise and invitation contained in Hebrews 4:16: “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” This invitation is to intercede, to groan, to lay our hearts bare much in the same way that Hannah did.

Hannah was childless; although the favored wife, she could not conceive. That one deficit left her to be pitied among women in the Jewish society in which she lived. To be childless was considered a curse from God. So great was her desire for a child that when she arrived in the temple she prayed so diligently that the priest Eli believed her inebriated.

according to Rabbi Anne Brener, Rabbi Johanan provides ten words which may be considered synonymous with prayer. Many of these words depict the emotional state of the Hebrews trapped in the depths of slavery: cry, lament, groan, sing, encounter, trouble, call, fall, pray, and supplicate. According to the rabbis, by directing one's whole being to prayer, kavanah, one can be assured of being answered. There is some solace to be found in this promise, but Y’Shua provides something better: Come, talk to me, and I will answer you from the depths. I will give you the groans that can’t be uttered and just as my Father understood the unuttered prayers of Hannah, I too understand you.

Hannah was not alone in her distress and summons of God’s help. Other men and women of great faith and righteousness also called out to God in tears. Rabbi Brener lists

the cries of the children of Israel from the depths of slavery, …Job as he described the depth of feeling with which he would need to express “the anguish of my spirit in the bitterness of my soul” (Job 7:11)[,] terrified Judah with his brothers as they entered the house of Joseph and fell to the ground (Genesis 43:18); Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the great fish (Jonah 2:2); and Queen Esther, as she lay at her husband’s feet, begging for mercy for herself and her people (Esther 8:3). With these role models for the prayers of our hearts, we are given permission to pour out our tears and offer them to God, and know that these deeply personal expressions are counted as prayer, just as Psalm 56 affirms, that God counts our tears in a bottle.

Jesus wept with Mary and Martha even though He know that He would raise Lazarus from the dead. And your great Intercessor, the Holy Spirit, weeps with you now: "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express" (Romans 8:26). Death often takes us by surprise; he is a thief and no matter if we lock our doors, he enters. But, I love this promise and triumphant declaration of Y'Shua: "O death, where is your victory? O death where is your sting?" (I Corinthians 15:55).

I recently learned of the death of a friend's father. This man was gracious and kind, and although I had not seen him for years, his death still brought tears to my eyes. Then I reminded myself that God himself walks with us always. He puts our tears in His bottle, and one day He will wipe them all away. Death will someday be a thing of the past, and so will be our tears.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Bottled Up Tears

What if all our tears were keep in a bottle? What if every bad day and every pain were recorded? What then would the atheist and deist say if they knew God cared about even a single tear? In fact, He does. God goes so far as to record each time we cry, and then to capture those tears in a special bottle. We often talk about Jesus’s wiping away every tear once we arrive in heaven: Revelations 21:4 declares, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away,” but I believe He desires to blot our tear-stained faces even now. Psalm 56:8 declares that God has “kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” Every sleepless night, every weep-filled hour, He has noted.

Yes, as Revelation 7:17 promises, “The Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” But, God is present now. God goes so far as to offer a guarantee, a promise for those whose lives seem filled with innumerable sufferings and loss: "Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! (Psalm 126:5). He promises to exchange joy for sadness and 'beauty for ashes
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor (Isaiah 61:3)
'

'I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water" (Isaiah 41:18).

How many would say like the psalmist, ‘You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure” (Psalm 80:5) and “My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?” (Psalm 42:3). Some might ask, “why so much pain?" I would counter that pain is the price of freedom and free will. Men have the right to make choices, unfortunately, much of what is chosen is pure evil, but that does not make God bad. God has promised never to leave us or forsake us alone in the midst of this evil, and that’s the best promise yet.

But what if there were a purpose in all that pain, an opportunity to provide redemption? Psalm 83:4: "As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.” The earth has been figuratively referred to as a ‘vale of tears’ because of the pain we all experience, but what happens if we turn that pain into something plentiful. The psalm is written about those who are on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Their joy and expectancy of reaching this beautiful elevation and place of worship allow the dark, dry, dreary valley into which they must pass to seem inconsequential. So it is with those who believe in a caring and loving God. As they pass through the dreary confines of the world, they do not leave it unchanged, their natural expectancy and hope change the dismal situations into which they walked into a beautiful watered garden. Those without hope cannot suggest such things. Why should one work for change if the world and everyone in it is doomed?

Although God records our tears, He chooses to throw our sins into the sea of forgetfulness.
He forgets our sins, but not our pains. We can trust a God such as this- a God who uses our tears to create beauty in the midst of any desert if we only allow Him to do so.

Tear-Sower,
MJ

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Big Boys Do Cry

Males are often taught to hide their emotions, and in some cultures, those who can’t keep a stiff-upper lip are considered weak, but God invites you to bring all your pain to Him for healing. He invites you to be open, vulnerable, and truthful about your wounds. He invites you to enter that closed-off part of yourself, the locked-away memories that you have so successfully suppressed. You no longer need to disassociate from the pain. What I love so much about Theophostic Prayer Ministry is that it invites God to lead us to truth by His light shining on those dark bleak places. -those valleys in the shadow of death where we would rather not go.The memory is the memory; it can’t hurt you. Let Him take away the sting of the lie that you have believed for so long. The Truth really can set you free when you know Him/it (John 8:32).

We certainly rejoice in the physical healing that Y'shua's death purchased for us, but those same stripes purchased our emotional health as well, if we would but access it:

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).

When we are heartbroken, does our spirit not cry out to someone to listen, to “Record our lament; list our tears on your scroll" (NIV). Some individuals go through a period in their lives in which they attempt to "find themselves" or discover their ultimate purpose for being on earth. Isn’t it nice to know that God takes "account of our wanderings during those restless months and years? He puts our tears in His bottle. Every season is written all in His book?" (NASB).

During the difficult seasons of life, the birth and sometimes death of children, the aging of parents, illness and loss, He is there: "He keeps track of all our sorrows. He collects all our tears in your bottle. Innumerable though they seem, He has recorded each one in His book" (NLT).

In that one big bottle, God has been storing every tear, even those that Jesus wept for Lazarus (John 11:35), and that Mary wept for Jesus. All together. Somehow He recognizes to whom each tear belongs and the precious and grievous story behind each one. What if all the tears together have to fill the bottle, and once it is filled, Jesus comes back? When the bottle can take no more pain or grief or joy, will we see Him ?

The tears shed by the child being molested and those too tired to cry for water. The mother receiving corporal punishment from her abusive husband. The child locked away in the basement. The cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy. The father happy to see his daughter married to a man who esteems and loves her. Every tear a story.

God, ever the artist, writes down my poem of sadness, lists my tears on His scroll.
He makes a record of them. (NIRV)

No longer bottled up,

MJ

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Bounty Newsletter 3

Greetings! Here is some more news!

When I return home in November, it is my goal to visit friends, spend time with my family, and share the vision with interested persons. I hope to spend some quality time with my Terry High School, My Father’s House Church, and Christ Chapel families.

I plan at least one trip to the Midwest to visit and tour an exemplary arts school which I heard about last year. I have viewed the campus on-line, but I want to see it up-close to get building ideas.

Upon return to Africa, I will likely spend the first two weeks in Angola visiting with the YWAM Musai base talking about plans for eventually building schools that the Angolan government is willing to support.

Soon after my return from Angola to South Africa, I will begin touring regional YWAM bases sharing the vision for the Aiven Park girls’ school.

The Lord is in the process of assembling key people to do the work that is necessary for the school’s existence including architect teachers, administrators, and visionaries. I have an invitation to meet political party leaders. In addition, as I meet people who can serve on the board, I come one important step closer to attaining NGO status and possible access to funding.

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Lizette, an Afrikaner famer who donates organic produce to the soup kitchens which Jan helps to supply. Jan Buchanan is already actively involved in the neighborhood where she has graciously agreed to allow the school to be built on her land. On the same day, I visited the soup kitchens and nurseries where she partners with several colored women. I shared with them the vision and visited the girls to whom I ministered in the fall.

This God-birthed school is built on service including valuing the environment (a community swap shop allows children to exchange trash for needed items such as toiletries and clothes); it celebrates the arts, teaches resiliency and self-respect. For instance, all school families and interested community members will take ownership of the school’s garden. This eco-horticulture will provide healthy produce for the kids and clear the disease-carrying sewage that presently runs through the streets. We will begin our pilot phase for the school with afternoon a diploma equivalency program and tutoring.

There are two concrete ways that you can help: gather educational materials and ship them- through the “M Project” or be a part of Change to Change the World. Want to know more? E-mail me. The future is looking bright, and I am so glad that you are a part of it! MJD

Jan and Ursula who runs one of the soup kitchens.

Soup Kitchen that serves children several meals a week.

The land where the school will one day stand.

Bounty Newsletter 2

Everything is converging. Last week, I was not sure that I would return to Worcester in January. Friends, now I have access to a property valued at 1.5 million rand to build the first girl’s school. I am working with Jan Buchanan, a fellow Youth with a Mission worker and community developer who owns the land. She fosters an African child named Joy and works with women’s and teen ministries. Our visions and ministry goals are completely aligned. Other ministry contacts are appearing such as administrative staff, teachers, and performers like Pieter McCarthy, a South African youth minister. .He just helped open a performing arts high school in Cape Town this year.

Last Monday, I finished a certified program in character education offered by Campus Crusade. The Crossroads Program is exceptional, and I can't wait to begin using it in the classroom as it is widely- accepted and endorsed in South Africa and the US. We taught” Six Character Traits” at Worcester Gymnasium to a class of enthusiastic high schoolers.

I am completing the Theophostic Prayer Seminar on Oct.31^st.While half the group went to Johannesburg; I facilitated the course for five days. It was a blessed and wonderful time. During a practice session, I led one of the participants to the Lord. Lynette attended church for a long, but did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. Afterwards, she testified of tremendous peace and calm she has.

I have the land. Now, I need 500,000 dollars to erect the school building with the necessary performance spaces. An additional 500, 000 dollars in cash or donations are needed for instruments, books, uniforms, and costumes.

I am meeting with individuals who have access to media, who have already secured government finances, or who hold positions in government or schools. This week I will visit the Worcester School of Performing Arts to see first-hand the expectations and level of expertise required by the South African government.

Upon my return to South Africa, I will begin sharing my vision with other YWAM bases in the country with the approval and recommendation of regional and base leadership as part of the pilot phase of building my coalition and support.

I am still actively involved in base worship and headed our Wednesday intercession. I had several new faces join me for exercise this last weekend and have prepared desserts the last two weeks with the help of my sweet Polish roommate, and I am now on the cooking rotation. I have also managed to find time to help with a couple of writing projects on the base.

Want to share the gift of knowledge? You can send more than16 pounds of books, tapes, literature or tracts, directly overseas in an "M Bag,” for approximately $1/ pound. Let me know if you would like to contribute.

Thank you for partnering and standing with me,

Mella J. Davis

Theophostic team members on graduation day.

Enjoying ourselves at our lovefeast at Carrine's house.

Carrine presenting during one of the sessions which I led.

October 30th
Everything is converging. Last week, I was not sure that I would return to Worcester in January. Friends, now I have access to a property valued at 1.5 million rand to build the first girl’s school. I am working with Jan Buchanan, a fellow Youth with a Mission worker and community developer who owns the land. She fosters an African child named Joy and works with women’s and teen ministries. Our visions and ministry goals are completely aligned. Other ministry contacts are appearing such as administrative staff, teachers, and performers like Pieter McCarthy, a South African youth minister. .He just helped open a performing arts high school in Cape Town this year.

The children are happy and excited as they learn more about Christ and God. Every Friday, we gather and teach their hungry hearts and tummies. The School of Apostolic Pioneering has begun a ministry of birthing home churches through cell groups. Three teams have been visiting the neighborhoods of Aiven Park, Roodewal, and Tuin Dorp. One group goes door-to-door inviting people to come to the Bible studies hosted in the home of one of their neighbors. At Aiven Park, the group with whom I work is spearheading a children’s ministry at the home of Gini and Eric, who have graciously agreed to a two-fold minister: one directed at children ages 3-15 and the other ministry is aimed at adults. Last week, twenty-five children heard the story of the Shepherd-God, Adonai -Rohi. The concept of a loving shepherd who cares for us and protects from the wolves in life is powerful.

In each girl lies a seed of greatness, that seed may be the family that she will bring into the earth or encapsulates herself. In her seed, she has the power to change her family, community, and thus the world. However, lack of education, teenage pregnancy, family dysfunction, and drug abuse stands in her way. Don’t Put more faith in your obstacle than you do in your God.

Without weakening in my faith, I will face the fact that although there are many reasons that I should not be able to fulfill the call on my life. However, I will not waiver in unbelief because the one who called me is faithful and true. Yes, all of His promises are yes and amen in Christ Jesus. God is not a man that He should lie or the son of man that he should prove false. Thus, I am strengthened in my faith in Him being fully persuaded that what He has promised that also shall He do.

I put my hope in His steadfast unfailing love. I do not put faith in the flesh, my own abilities, or even the obstacles before me. Instead, I press forward toward the mark of the High Calling of Christ. Praise be to God who always leads me in triumph and daily loads me with benefits. Through Him a fragrance of life is being shared. Daily, I choose to walk in God’s Presence.

The Lord’s promise of shepherding, preparing a table before us, has held true for me as I have transitioned from America to South Africa.

Modify this prayer by adding promises that God has made you and speak those words over yourself.-In Him