Shout for joy!

One day, while playing with Bowden, we heard Josh shouting. Not for joy- things like, "What!! What are you thinking?? That was the most moronic thing I've ever seen!!! What kind of imbecels (yes, words that I can't even spell) are you???" And so on... (Interesting side-note: the absence of profanity seems to invite a more colorful expression - Go Josh!!)Anybody who knows Josh probably knows to whom this tirade was directed. His beloved, but bumbling Redskins.
Bowden looked at me and commented, "Daddy is wierd." and kept playing. Later, when his dad came by and asked Bowden what he thought of the game, the little diplomat amended it, "They are weally wierd!" and Daddy and son bonded over that thought.

I have also heard Josh shout for joy- the purest time, when we were all shouting, was at the birth of his two children. (His was actually more like laughter) That was real joy! That was a moment when noone seemed to mind the volume and the exuberance.

I've been reading through Psalms lately and the scripture that has jumped out at me is "Shout for joy." Anyone who knows me knows that that could be a very dangerous thing for me to latch onto. I am LOUD- many say TOO LOUD. So God, what are you thinking, telling ME to shout for joy? And really, since in the assembly, during praise, I sometimes find myself being the shouter, slipping out with exuberance, do I really NEED that message? You should be telling me to keep it down, like most other, sane people do.

So, feeling that this command is really going to set me up to be a fool, I am looking for more scriptures for it. Guess what? They abound. I even found mountains and trees clapping their hands. Okay, just a metaphor, but a metaphor for what?

The picture that came to mind as I tried to "Prove scripturally" that there might be a place for shouting in all of this- was the Triumphal Entry.
When the Pharisees said that Jesus should tell the children to stop the shouting, his response was, "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." It was ordained for that entry to be accompanied by shouting. It was a precourser to the work at Calvary- the purchase of our souls, and the shaking that came, the great awakening that came, the birth of the Church that came .

There is a king riding in with His kingdom, ready to release a fresh flow of anointing, of revival, of people- coming to the saving knowledge of His greatness. And it might not look - no it won't look like it did before- in part, because His chosen vessels, especially the youth- don't look like they did before. And he uses these individuals and their individual personalities, giftings, and language to reach their peers.

I am excited, as I give myself to say "Yes, God." for the breakthroughs that will come, in my own soul, and in the lives of others. Earthquakes are loud, and there is a shifting in the spirit. Can you sense it, somethings rising?
There is, as at Jerico, a time to walk and be silent. There is a time to wait. But there is also, as at Jerico, a time to proclaim, to shout, (or maybe for some, to just whisper) but it was in that time that the walls came down.
May I be one who helps bring down walls, who ushers in God's rule, on earth as it is in heaven.

In the presence of my enemies

Jan Johnson spoke at our all church meeting. She's amazing! YOu can find her online. Down to earth, funny, and one who just draws you closer to Jesus.
She spoke on Psalms 23.
She brought up a woman, sat her in a chair and used her as a visual of sitting in the presence of your enemy. She directed her (and us) to just think of someone: family, social, or work- that irks you, that you don't want to see, that gets your goad. That person (or persons) has just walked in and is looking at you. Then picture Jesus. Standing behind you, serving you,his hand on your shoulder, checking to see how you're doing, pouring your drink, pouring out His love, His favor, in front of this person. Letting them see how much He loves you. How much he provides, honors, cares for you. And keep drinking out of the cup that He keeps filling for you- in front of those enemies. And let that love, that acceptance, sink in, and permeate you. And eventually, allowing it to overflow and to love that enemy as well.
I love it. She uses little "breath prayers", Like, "Maybe the Lord really is my shepherd. Maybe I do have all I need." She said it's a great prayer to pray before going shopping.
And for when things are just plain going "wrong"
I got some prayer the next day. I was reminded by someone of something the Lord had taught me a few years back. That He is filling my cup, but that He doesn't stand outside of me. The image she got for me was one of a living well, deep within, and that I access that living water and let it well up to quench my thirst and to empower me to serve and share with others. I knew what He was saying. I believe that well is accessed by praise.
It's time to do battle against the negativity in my life with the sword of praise. Praise lifts heaviness. ushers in the presence of God and turns the Valleys of Baca(bitterness or weeping) into pools of life.
"Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, Who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs;
The autumn (latter) rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion." Psalm 84:4
Thanks to Bill Johnson (different Johnson) for that great lesson.
So there you have it.

Give Thanks Always!

It's been awhile, the dust is starting to settle from the reception. What a beautiful event! I am touched by the hard work and donation of time and effort by so many in transforming my Dad's backyard into a wonderland of beauty.
So many who care and share our hopes and dreams; our love. It all sounds so flowery or trite until you've experienced it. Then you know you're not alone. Then you know that your kids are not alone. Then you know what love ,support, and the answered, ongoing prayers of family and friends is all about. At least a piece of it.