Is this why they turn away?

I have been reading and listening and watching lots of teaching about discovering the Father as our Abba, our Daddy. Time and again the speaker has said they knew Jesus as Saviour, then they encountered the Holy Spirit, but still something was missing for them and at a deep level they were insecure or locked up... until they encountered the Father's love. They now know that we need to know and experience all three persons of the Trinity.

A penny dropped for me the other day. I have often puzzled as to why people seem to really love the Lord - then later fall away to an apparent unbelief. 'I'm over that.' 'Tried it, doesn't work.' Is it possible that they did not really 'come home' to the the home we were created for - the home where all three are real and dear to us: Father, Son and Spirit? For unless we do there is a feeling that we are a bit of a split personality. Despite a 'renewed mind' and a heart that loves Jesus, and being open to the Spirit - there is a deep place within us that still distrusts, or is disappointed (and apt to question and misinterpret what God is doing). Or our faith is compromised by uncertainty.

People cannot continue to live with this lack of integration - these pockets of 'unbelief' deep within. Either we cover them up and become somewhat false and mechanical, or we live compromised lives that one day get exposed or we just drift into ungodly living. The 'unloved' and 'unhealed' part is our Achilles heel that makes us a special target for the enemy.

I wonder if this is why many turn away. They may well have know they are forgiven, and they belong to God... but perhaps have not encountered the power of the gospel to change them - and most certainly they haven't encountered the love of the Father to bring them deep security and confidence. What a shame. Who will tell them?

Resting and Roaring

I was journalling recently about how the flow of intercession that I have known for many years seems to have gone to a trickle. But realised that I am learning about resting prayer - learning simply to trust, as a child, and not work hard at prayer.

So I was taken aback recently to find myself roaring with 'authority' and indignation when praying with some friends. I used to roar at my three mischievious boys (out of frustration and a lack of grace!) but those days are well over - they are now in their 30s and 40s! So what was going on in these prayer-times?

The first time, I felt a rush of indignation and a 'this should not be' feeling - and I loudly quoted Scripture and paced about and declared what will be according to his word. The second time we were praying tenderly for a woman who has an affliction that has almost ruined her life for years. It isolates her from others, and causes her deep distress. I found myself loudly 'cursing' this affliction in Jesus' name and commanding it to leave. It feels like a roar from within. So I guess we could say that 'The Lion of Judah' (Aslan)had a roar through me. Presumptious? Well, it was not 'me' in the sense that I was content to be gentle and restful, and suddenly this came out.

Perhaps this is the answer to my questions about intercession. He will do his thing when it suits him... I am to rest and enjoy and express his love - and if needed the roar will come too. He is, after all, the Lion and the Lamb - so I can rest - and roar.

"Pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers..." Eph.5:18

Another parable from our cat

Last year I posted this story of our cat, Cinamon. She refused to sit on our knees. But prayer changed that. Read the curious story below. But now... I see another meaning in this story. Read the story - then the new awareness.

We have a cute and gentle cat - Cinamon by name - who was being robbed of the joy of sitting on our knees! About 18 months ago she took offense at a second cat we took on as a favour to an elderly neighbour who had to go into care. Fluff cat, was old and insistent that she alone belonged on our knees. So Cinamon backed off with much bad humour. Fluff cat went to the happy hunting ground over a year ago - and still Cinamon held her grudge.
But one day a few weeks ago, I thought "Why is this animal still refusing to sit on our knee? The old one has died!" So I took her in my arms and spoke firmly and kindly close to her heart.... "Sweetie pie, I know you were offended by Fluff girl, but she is not here any more. She is gone! You can now sit on our knees anytime you want. In Jesus name I release you from this offense and say 'Get on our knees!' This is where you belong!"
I honestly did not think it through... it was just spontaneous... and I did not think about it any further.
But the next evening she walked along the back of the couch and then down my shoulder and onto my knee - where she slept for some time. She continues to get on my knee or David's knee. The problem has gone! I continue to be amazed... but should I? Are we not to speak life and order into all creation?

So here is the new insight. What if we are the cat, and the Father is me? He calls us to come home to where we belong. There is no reason (except the perceptions in our head and heart) for us not to sit on his knee and feel 'at home'- to be comforted and delighted in. So what stops us? Offenses... a false picture of God? Mmmm. How about this prayer?
Father, speak to our spirit through your Spirit in us. Tell us where we belong and
how much you want us close to you. We need to know that 'the old is gone, and the new has come.'Because of Jesus there is now no reason at all not to 'sit on your knee.' Open our ears to your loving call. Thank you Jesus that you are the Way into the Father's arms.

The curious thing...

Hi there,
If you are new to this blog - I suggest you go back to about a year ago when I began a new learning curve and read the progression of discoveries.
Life has been full - and good. Now there are less deadlines, I hope to write more often.
So many prayers have been answered lately. I have cried out with groans for things to change, for years in some instances... and now they have. Is this about his timing? Maybe... but it is also about the fact that my heart is ready. There is a curious thing - we pray that situations will change, people will change... and underneath it all - he is aiming at US being changed. I have talked to a number of people on this... and we have agreed, that when our hearts are aligned with the Lord's, when his love has washed and renewed US, this sort of 'rubs off' on those people we consider 'need to be changed'. A friend said that since she had heart renewal, her previously antagonistic sister now calls her for prayer, and there no longer seems to be a barrier in HER heart. Curious, isn't it!

My husband and I are enjoying a new paradigm of viewing life through the lens of being held and loved by the Father... and it has now changed our hearts towards each other. Before - I had a list of things I felt we could not talk about and make progress... there seemed to be blank walls - but now, there is no list and no walls. And we haven't had to battle through hard conversations. It has all melted away in the Father's love.
You see, when Love comes, fears, demands, complaints, defensiveness, assumptions... they just melt away. I made some suggestions to my beloved about a more effective way to do something (touching his most precious area of self-worth) and he did not flinch one bit. I was astounded! He just said, 'OK, I'll try and remember that. Thanks' Not a flicker of defensiveness. What freedom! What a joy. This is 'the power of his love.'