In fact, we are seeing so much and learning so much, I hardly know how to communicate it all to you. This is a small snapshot.
I never used to understand what it meant when it was said that Christ came to set us free. Yes, from death- I knew that much. Say the prayer and you get to go to heaven, after your body dies. I used to think that was as far as "freedom" went. I used to think that until then, we had to just hang on for dear life, because this world is so evil and rotten that there is no hope for it. Jesus come soon, 'cause I can't stand it!!
Now - although Him coming just sounds incredibly exciting- I want Him to wait a bit. There are too many people who are walking around in bondage. And it seems like there are as many in the church as out of it that are in bondage- to every kind of slavery I can think of, or you can think of.
I want to see His Kingdom come- on earth as it is in heaven. Now. I want to be the one standing in the gap in the wall of my county, my city, my university- interceding for those within - for mercy. 'Cause they just don't know why they do what they do. They live for themselves and their pleasure to numb the pain of their lives. They don't know they are children of the Most High God, and their lives have a calling and a destiny.
Once they know that, look out. All creation groans waiting for the Sons of God to be revealed. All creation groans waiting for the sons and daughters of God to figure out who they are.
We were working out at this resort the other day (the kids and I go, 'cause Ilsa and Maddie and I are competing in a triathalon this summer) and there was this native american man in the weight room. I walked in, and the first thing that runs through my mind is "he is a man of peace."
I have been learning to listen to this kind of thing. We hear from three sources, right? God, the devil, and your own brain. The devil wouldn't tell me that this dude was a man of peace. My brain wouldn't. All I wanted to do was lift weights and get in the pool - I was focused. So when I heard that in my head, I listened. Frankly, I was a little chicken to share it with him, 'cause he was a big guy doing some pretty impressive lifting. I don't tend to just start conversations with men I don't know, you know?
But then I heard this: "And the grieving in his family is going to end, soon." This gave me more compassion for him than when I first walked into the room.
So, after some internal struggle, I asked the guy if he believed in God. "What?" he looked at me strange. I asked again. He shrugs his shoulders, but he's not combative or rude. Then I said, "because He just told me that you are a man of peace." The guy stopped pacing (he was resting in between lifting) and was just stunned. He thanked me several times. I, in my brain, am thanking God. Then I hear, "well, aren't you going to tell him the rest?"
Dang. That part was harder. What if I was wrong?
But by this time I had finished my lifting. I told him to have a nice day (yes, I was totally going to wuss out) and he said, "Yeah, you too. You already made mine."
What? Seriously? "That meant something to you?" I asked him. "Yes!" he said. Ohhhhhhkay. "Well there's more," I finally gave in and told him. "He also said that the grieving in your family is going to end, soon."
He stumbled a little in his pacing. Not huge, but I noticed. He said, "wow." Then he said, "Wow, wow." I asked what was up, and he told me that they had just lost a family member. By this time I was bold and asked if I could pray for him. I had already seen God touch him. He said yes - I asked if I could put my hand on his shoulder. He said yes. And I prayed for mercy and love and peace to permeate his family, his life. I can't even remember all I prayed, but it wrecked me. I was crying by the time I was finished. He was just happy.
God is so good, family. He is teaching Phil and I and our children and our students to walk like this all the time. He is teaching us that we do not need to be afraid of anything. Those people that look like they are so demonically oppressed, or so full of judgment or anger or negativity- God can reach them. We are learning that we do not have to convince them of anything- we just get to love them with the love and power of God, and He convinces them.
I'm not sure why I ever used to believe any other way, but I did. I think I am just becoming free.
For those of you that wondered about Grace attending an Emilie Autumn concert, let me tell you how it turned out. Unbeknownst to her, she had been gifted with VIP tickets, which enabled her to actually meet Emilie and talk to her. Our Gracie lou went in there and loved on Emilie, hugged her, gave her a gift. During the concert, she released the opposite of what she felt- if she felt fear, she released faith, if she felt anger, she released peace. By the end of the concert, three hundred some gothic, punk, corsetted and mohawk spouting kids were ballroom dancing and laughing to the song "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life."
How's that for cultural transformation? Or at least the beginning of it? We have appointed ourselves Emilie's prayer guardians. That talented young lady will someday know who she is, and that she is greatly loved by her Father.
Anyway, family, I just want to give you snapshots as I can. We love hearing from you and pray when you ask us to and rejoice with you and mourn with you. I'm sorry I don't always let you know that individually. Know you're loved!!
xoxoxo
Us Thoofts
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