The Many Faces of Jerusalem

Make a slideshow

Part one of a showcase of quilts called The Many Faces of Jerusalem from the International Quilt Festival at Houston this year. The quilts are from the Israeli Quilters Association.

Praise Him in the dance!

“But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.  And I will rejoice in Jerusalem and joy in my people.”

Isaiah 65:18, 19

The word rejoice in this passage means “to violently dance” in Hebrew.  While in Israel three years ago our group gathered to share, pray, and worship in the evening.  In the above picture we are starting a Jewish dance that looked a little violent by the time we got going.  I have no doubt that it caused Jesus to rejoice with us in Jerusalem.

A Special Visitor

Little Chippy

 About five years ago we had a little chipmunk coming to eat seeds that dropped from our bird feeder. I wondered if I could get him to eat a walnut from my fingers. With a little coaxing and about 20 minutes of patience he was indeed running back and forth with my handouts to his hole in the ground.

 For two summers in a row this arrangement continued to my pleasure and the pleasure of all who visited and observed his trust toward me. He became so accustomed to me that he would climb up my leg and sit in my hand while nibbling on birdseed or chopped walnuts. He even allowed me to stroke his back as he stuffed his cheeks full, a definite indication of trust.

 Chippy was such a precious gift from God. I believe God wants to show us some of the little things He has created for our pleasure. Though some would think I am totally wrong, I also believe it pleases our Creator when we are pleased with even a tiny chipmunk climbing up to a person’s hand for his winter stash. This must have been how things were in Eden, and it makes me long for the time we will be able to hug a lion and scratch behind the ears of a baby elephant as comfortably as we do our house pets.

 What has this to do with worship arts? God is the ultimate artist. Appreciating His creation and caring for it is honoring to the Lord. For me Chippy was like going to a hands-on art museum, but better.  Chippy chose to let me cup his tiny body in my hand and to stroke his silky fur. I was able to observe close up what a marvelous tiny creature God had designed. How thankful I am for the honor.

 


Autumn near Lake Michigan

Eight of us from the worship arts ministry went to the People of the Presence conference in Romulus, MI, this past weekend. We learned much and were all touched greatly as God’s presence filled the ballroom at the Sheraton Hotel.

I have been going over my notes considering what was said. It was about what God is saying to His church and becoming a people who carry His presence.  This gathering with Chuck Pierce, Paul Keith Davis, Randy Clark and Barbara Yoder brought to mind what God has been speaking to me over the past months. 

God is inviting me to enter into His presence in a way many of us have been longing for.  Yes I know His presence, but this is different because the times we are living in are different. Several months ago I heard the Lord saying to me more than once, “Come up.”  The hunger for greater intimacy with Him still presses me forward.  His invitation draws me closer, ever closer each time I open my Bible, each time I sit at the piano and sing to Him, each time I talk with Him. When I walk away from these times, I want ever more and more of His presence going with me.

Because darkness is increasing all around us, we must be the carries of the light of Christ. Jesus said He only does what He sees the Father doing.  We must know Him and be able to discern what He is doing so we can align with His purposes.  I want my ministry to be relevant and my life to count for something. Seeing what lies ahead is sobering, yet God is on the move and desires for us to join Him in what He is doing.

So what has God been speaking to you?  How has He been equipping you for your future?  He is looking for those who are willing to give up their own lives to carry His presence, allowing Him to live through us.

He rejoices over us!

Exuberant Joy

Isaiah 65:18,19   “But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.  And I will rejoice in Jerusalem and joy in my people.”

Rejoice here is the Hebrew word Giyl which means to dance with great exuberance, leaping and jumping for joy.

Zephaniah 3:17.  “He will rejoice over thee with joy…….He will joy over thee with singing. This is an expression of such joy that it reaches the point of dancing in a whirlwind, leaping and springing about.

Wow!  God gets that excited about you and me.  I am glad to say that there are people at Redeemer Fellowship Church who do display that king of joy when praising God.  Be encouraged by Isaiah’s prophecy that God created us so He could rejoice in us. He is a joy to us; we are a joy to Him!

The Double-Edged Sword

A symbol we use in our worship and intercession is the double-edged sword. Ephesians 6:17 calls this sword “the sword of the spirit” and lists it as part of God’s armor.  We are exhorted here to take up this sword to battle our spiritual enemy, Satan and his fallen angels. We see this sword used by Christ in Matthew 4:1-11.

I love the Word of God, both written and living.  I have so often used this two-edged sword when worried, fearful, discouraged, etc.  I bring to mind words like: “God has not given us the spirit of fear…..” or “Be careful for nothing…..let your requests be made known unto God,” or “He will cover you with His feathers,”  and many others. These contain life for me, they give me hope, they silence my spiritual enemy.

I like what Hanna E. Farwell said in her book, The Sword and the Tambourine. In beautiful prose she writes, “We carry a sword; it is the indwelling Holy Spirit who rises up within to evoke eternal change and to advance the Kingdom and the rule of the King of Kings – Jesus. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end  (see Isa. 9:7).  We advance with Him, with His praise in our mouths and a double-edged sword in our hands – the word of His authority.  We are aware of enemies around us and a world in need, but we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, our Commander.  He makes all things possible!  He will train our hands for war!

Character Development

God wants us to be more than simply messengers of the gospel through our words, but as living, breathing words.  Our greatest testimony can be the message we live in our homes, ministry, work, neighborhoods, etc.

 I am a living picture of who Christ is, but I am not always the best image possible. Thankfully, God is working on that as only He can, through character development.  Character development isn’t usually much fun, but at least I have learned to recognize the signs of this engagement.

 Lately I have been feeling like an exposed earthworm thrashing about, trying to get back to my safe, comfortable abode. God is bringing me out into the light to see myself the way I really am, not so great but loved so much that He won’t allow me to stay underground. He has a plan for me, but I need some character quality upgrades. Uncomfortable though it is, I welcome my unearthing.

It is necessary for those ministering in worship arts to be transparent so our message is clear.  Humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God and allowing the Holy Spirit to cleanse us is key. In so doing we take on His character, and we find God is able to do things through us in greater measure. He can shine through us.