We are in the process of moving house. It has been a rather stressful time and the stress increases as we get nearer to the time of moving. We however are blessed because the house that we are moving into is provided for us. The work we do, provides the house. This has it pitfalls as well as its benefits! You get what you are given and you hope that your furniture will fit in all the right places or even get through the front door! You hope that the house you are going to has as many bedrooms as the one you are leaving.
The house that we are moving too is beautiful. It is Georgian and from the outside looks amazing. On the inside however that is another story. It is quirky and full of character but it has not been looked after. We see the potential but much work needs to be done before we move in. A few non friendly bugs and things have found their way into the house, and a few other issues that will very soon be sorted. Praise the Lord.
I can't quite explain to you how I felt about this house the first time I walked into it; but I am quite a discerning person and I believe that it is a Spiritual Gift that God has blessed me with. This is a gift that can be a blessing as well as a curse. I find it an immense priviledge when I can ask someone how they are and then ask them again and for them to tell me truthfully. I am also aware that at times I feel physically sick at how grieved my Spirit is over something not of the Kingdom. This was the feeling that came over me the first time I walked into this new house. I prayed and was reminded of a time that we prayer walked and spiritually cleansed another house that we used to live in.
That time was when we invited 2 alcoholics to stay for the weekend. They were a couple that been evicted and they were well known to us. We really wanted to be able to help them but also to overwhelm them with Christ's love. One stayed upstairs, one stayed down. After a couple of days they were invited to leave as they had made themselves just too comfortable! As I went to change the beds in one of the rooms I was almost physically sick by the stench that hit me as I entered the room. I felt unsafe in that room, and it also felt very cold even though it was the middle of summer. I was quite uncomfortable and prayed. I opened the windows and let the air waft through, went downstairs and got the shampoo cleaner and gave the carpet a good scrub. That evening I went back up into the room and the stench was still there as strong as ever and yet the windows had been opened the whole time. I prayed, still feeling uncomfortable. I closed the door and talked with my husband about the room. We came to believe that a demon had made itself resident and unless we dealt with him he would try to take over the whole house.
Friends of ours gave to us an Anglican African Cleansing Prayer. They said to us, it is not a magic wand, it is not just a ritual, it is what it says, a cleansing prayer. If there is anything in that room that you are discerning is not quite right, this prayer, prayed in faith will deal with it. That evening we cleansed the whole house using salt water. (Salt was/is a purifier) With the salt water we sprinkled, prayed the prayers for each room and drew the cross on each door post.
After our prayer time was over, I re-entered that particular room. The stench was gone. We believe that whatever demon had tried to attach itself was banished in the name of Jesus. I felt so much more peaceful and safe in that room. We did not go shouting or screaming at the demon. We just quietly prayed believing the right way was used, with prayer, faith and salt water for cleansing. That was our first encounter with a demon. We don't go looking for them, but Christ has given us the authority to deal with them when it is right to do so.
This new house we have prayed in. When the jobs have been finished we will pray the cleansing prayer throughout. Not because we believe that there are any demons, but because we want Jesus to be Head of that House. We want it to be a house that Glorify's Him and is a house that is Holy. A place that is welcoming for His Spirit and filled with His Presence and His Peace. We want it to be a place that we can still invite the stranger and perhaps entertain the odd angel here or there. But that can only happen when my own heart and dwelling place for Jesus Christ is cleansed and ready for His Peace and Presence to fill me.
"Christ of Glory, Prince of Peace, Let thy life in mine increase;
Though I live may it be shown tis thy life and not my own.
Dwell within that men may see, Christ, the living Christ, in me.
Answer now my soul's desire, Purge my heart with Holy fire,
Soothe the hurt with gentle balm, Breathe within my life thy charm,
Fill me now, so shall there be, Christ, the Holy Christ, in me.
Gracious Lord, thy grace apply, both to save and sanctify;
All my life wilt thou control, calmly ordering the whole,
That the world may ever see Christ, and only Christ, in me."
(Song Words belong to Colin Fairclough, Salvation Army Song Book)
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Anniversaries
My wonderful hubby and I celebrate our 12th Wedding Anniversary today. We have spent most of the day separated, sadly, but ministry has had other pathways for us. Still, we get to celebrate with a meal together this evening after the children have gone to bed.
As we celebrate I am reminded about Peter and Sally. Peter came to visit us in our meeting hall one Sunday. He was very drunk and he was quite vocal about Simon's sermon. He heckled Simon with cheering and clapping. He encouraged Simon and told the rest of the congregation that they were really boring!!! At the end of his message, Simon invited people to come and pray at the Mercy Seat and Peter did. He wanted more for his life. Simon invited him to surrender to Jesus. Peter said, he knew Jesus once and would like to know him again so Simon prayed with him and Peter invited Jesus back come into his life.
We didn't expect to see Peter again because he had been so drunk. But he returned to worship the following week. After a couple of weeks, Peter bought his wife, Sally, and his best friend David to the meeting. It was wonderful getting to know them and seeing these people come alive as they started to hear about Jesus.
Sally was invited to attend Alpha. Sally was a little worried about attending as she couldn't read or write. We encouraged her and told her that it was not a problem. David or Peter did not attend with her. After a week of attending Alpha, Sally asked for a Bible. Some time later we noticed her taking notes. We asked her about the note taking and she told us that she had asked the Holy Spirit to help her! Sally, with the help of the Holy Spirit alone, began looking at the Bible and learnt to read! That was the beginning of an amazing journey.
We went to visit Peter and Sally as they were new christians that needed nurturing and discipling. They lived in what could only be described as squalor. Their home was a very old council flat. The hot water was heated by a coal fire. The wallpaper, very discoloured and hung off the wall. The flat was dark and dingy. Clothes were hanging from the bathroom ceiling over a hot bath so that the steam could clean and dry them. (No means in the flat for a washing machine and certainly no means to afford a launderette).
We had a cup of tea, the cups not being the cleanest but we knew that their wonderfully warm hospitality was costly. As we talked with them it became clear that their story was altogether weird!!!! Peter and Sally were married, but Sally shared the marriage bed with David, whilst Peter, the husband, slept on the sofa! We kind of looked at each other with very wide opened eyes and nearly choked on the tea that was given to us. After praying with them, we left and went home discussing what on earth we were going to do.
We knew that people were going to find out about the home situation. They were new christians and we knew that religious folk were going to expect us to talk to them and tell them that they had to get it sorted as it was not a right way of living! We prayed, and we prayed hard. We both felt that God was telling us to leave it to Him. We carried on praying, making sure that this was not our flesh dodging out of the hard choices. We were absolutely convinced that we were to say nothing. The Holy Spirit would do the convicting. If we went in heavy handed we would lose them and lose them for the Kingdom!
Within a couple of weeks Sally came to see us, and told us that she really felt convicted that she needed to put her marriage right. She really believed that Jesus wanted David out of the house and Peter put in his rightful place as husband. We were astounded! We wept with joy. A few weeks later just before Christmas we were able to hold a renewing of vows ceremony and the Corps held a faith lunch as a reception.
Boy, did we learn some serious lessons. There are times and seasons to say things, and times to discern the Holy Spirit's voice. As far as we know, Peter and Sally are still happily married. Not worshipping at the Army but together. The last we heard Sally had a powerful ministry to the homeless and jobless. Peter found a job and they continued to grow in Christ together.
Back to my marriage, we might not have had much time together today, but we know that our marriage is strong because it has Christ in the centre. As long as we continue to be in Him we continue to celebrate year after year, after year.
As we celebrate I am reminded about Peter and Sally. Peter came to visit us in our meeting hall one Sunday. He was very drunk and he was quite vocal about Simon's sermon. He heckled Simon with cheering and clapping. He encouraged Simon and told the rest of the congregation that they were really boring!!! At the end of his message, Simon invited people to come and pray at the Mercy Seat and Peter did. He wanted more for his life. Simon invited him to surrender to Jesus. Peter said, he knew Jesus once and would like to know him again so Simon prayed with him and Peter invited Jesus back come into his life.
We didn't expect to see Peter again because he had been so drunk. But he returned to worship the following week. After a couple of weeks, Peter bought his wife, Sally, and his best friend David to the meeting. It was wonderful getting to know them and seeing these people come alive as they started to hear about Jesus.
Sally was invited to attend Alpha. Sally was a little worried about attending as she couldn't read or write. We encouraged her and told her that it was not a problem. David or Peter did not attend with her. After a week of attending Alpha, Sally asked for a Bible. Some time later we noticed her taking notes. We asked her about the note taking and she told us that she had asked the Holy Spirit to help her! Sally, with the help of the Holy Spirit alone, began looking at the Bible and learnt to read! That was the beginning of an amazing journey.
We went to visit Peter and Sally as they were new christians that needed nurturing and discipling. They lived in what could only be described as squalor. Their home was a very old council flat. The hot water was heated by a coal fire. The wallpaper, very discoloured and hung off the wall. The flat was dark and dingy. Clothes were hanging from the bathroom ceiling over a hot bath so that the steam could clean and dry them. (No means in the flat for a washing machine and certainly no means to afford a launderette).
We had a cup of tea, the cups not being the cleanest but we knew that their wonderfully warm hospitality was costly. As we talked with them it became clear that their story was altogether weird!!!! Peter and Sally were married, but Sally shared the marriage bed with David, whilst Peter, the husband, slept on the sofa! We kind of looked at each other with very wide opened eyes and nearly choked on the tea that was given to us. After praying with them, we left and went home discussing what on earth we were going to do.
We knew that people were going to find out about the home situation. They were new christians and we knew that religious folk were going to expect us to talk to them and tell them that they had to get it sorted as it was not a right way of living! We prayed, and we prayed hard. We both felt that God was telling us to leave it to Him. We carried on praying, making sure that this was not our flesh dodging out of the hard choices. We were absolutely convinced that we were to say nothing. The Holy Spirit would do the convicting. If we went in heavy handed we would lose them and lose them for the Kingdom!
Within a couple of weeks Sally came to see us, and told us that she really felt convicted that she needed to put her marriage right. She really believed that Jesus wanted David out of the house and Peter put in his rightful place as husband. We were astounded! We wept with joy. A few weeks later just before Christmas we were able to hold a renewing of vows ceremony and the Corps held a faith lunch as a reception.
Boy, did we learn some serious lessons. There are times and seasons to say things, and times to discern the Holy Spirit's voice. As far as we know, Peter and Sally are still happily married. Not worshipping at the Army but together. The last we heard Sally had a powerful ministry to the homeless and jobless. Peter found a job and they continued to grow in Christ together.
Back to my marriage, we might not have had much time together today, but we know that our marriage is strong because it has Christ in the centre. As long as we continue to be in Him we continue to celebrate year after year, after year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)