NEVER ENOUGH TO DESCRIBE HIM

.
So I have a page on Facebook. Don't hold that against me though, as the redeeming fact is I have very few friends there and I am even about to delete some of them. I can't send those friends that offend me to hell any more, but on Facebook I damn sure can annihilate them with but a push of the "Delete Friend" button. Lately upon waking up in the morning ,the first thing I think of, is, who will I delete today. Shoot, some times I even make friends so I can delete them. Then they gotta wonder, "now why would he do that?" I do this to those that have Pastor, Bishop or Prophet in front of their name, just to add to their confusion.

Then they have a Facebook function that allows you to hide your friends. This is kind of a purgatory type measure, as these friends are hidden from view, however while even lurking around in darkness they can still see what you are doing. Problem with this "hidden purgatory state, is everyone once in a while a "hidden friend" will pop back up into the light of your page and say something stupid. Yes stupidity will place you in purgatory faster than a speeding crawfish.

Now, Joian, who is much more a Facebook master and a bit more of a private person than me, tells me there is even another button at one's disposal. Push this one and it seems you can send your friends to a metaphoric hell. There they are not only hidden but so great is the darkness they can no longer see what you are doing. Joian must have most of her friends there, because the majority of those on her friends list never appear. So it is, in the strange world of Facebook. And now I wonder what fate I must suffer because of my critical report on Joian. Will I be assigned to annihilation, purgatory or hell? lol

All nonsense aside, there are always hidden treasures to be found when He sends you into a place. On Facebook, Joian and I have certainly enjoyed the messages and fellowship of Terry Crisp, whose writings are linked in our SONSHINE sidebar. We also get together and laugh and cry and pray with a number of other SONSHINE readers. And then on occasion, we actually do add a new friend, of whom we find commonality in the Love of Christ. So it was today that I added Robyn Green to my friends list after reading her anointed message. I found this short writing on another friend's page, where he was talking about "praising God, while not feeling like it." I thought how this older woman must share the my same path as she wrote beautifully and truthfully on the subject.

How many of us in years past sat in a church service feeling as out of place as a three legged cat in the middle of pack of dogs while in a worship service. We honestly, didn't give a flying hoot about dancin and clappin, and singin some joyous "you got the victory" chorus. Well, Read on dear reader. If you know the out of place and undone feeling you will be blessed. If you groan today you will even be comforted.

Robyn Green: I think Psalm 137 was written from that place. It's a prime example of how it's OK to be transparent and honest through even song before God when you are in a grievous situation. Only the Holy Spirit can resurrect you from these rounds of death. God honors honesty. He already knows how tough this is for you, and He does NOT expect you to act like it ain't happening. He will work through it with you. It's just another round of death to self....and intercession for humanity really. You are carrying the "groanings" that the Sons of God have to carry in their pruning and maturing process. So, if you can't work up joyous praise, that's ok. Your lips can still speak praise, even if your heart mourns. Eventually, your heart catches up. The people who may tell you to just push through in praise until true joy breaks out have NO idea what the inner life of a true prophet or apostle is....how intense the burdens are, and how God will not allow us to work our own way out of the grieving. We have to wait on Him to lift us out.

Ps. 137:1-4 A Psalm of Being Out of Place
By the rivers of Babylon,there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.
For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.
How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land?
Ps 137:1-4

Psa 126:1-6 A Song of a Return Home
When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter
And our tongue with joyful shouting;

Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad.


And so I thought, why not make this "a two for Tuesday bonus blog" by sharing Terry Crisp's Facebook message from this morning, along with my comment. This below doesn't find it's way into the "alien category" nor the "resting at home" position but gives hint that His increase is forever for such is the nature of a Love, which ever grows.

Terrry Crisp: awoke this morning with a vision in mind, almost too great to articulate...of a people coming forth who are positioned in the heavens, who have as their foundational worldview a sea of glass, mingled with fire, & clear as crystal...DOWN THROUGH WHICH they see all things transpiring in the world beneath them. Everything is perfectly clear & transparent to them, because they've gotten victory over the beastly mindset.

Jack Hennessey: That is a beautiful vision, Terry

It just makes me want to stand in awe and I do. Even though we are seeing through the Crystal River I would think we would suffer the tension of Love til the last soul see through the same Clear River which is Christ.

I think of His Love constantly and I think I shall never find the ends of it. Such is the nature of the Infinite Love we call Agape.

Bless you Terry, and keep the adjectives coming, for you know like me, there are never enough to describe Him.

Jack

JUST BEING, THAT HE MIGHT BE

.
Our grandma of the last blog surely has nothing on me, as far as driving. As long as I can remember, friends and family have always winced whenever I have offered to drive. Shame on them, because I offer up my driving skills or lack there of, only at great sacrifice and a sign of my dieing unselfishness.

Did you know that upon my last vacation with my now departed mom, I would let her do the worse part of the driving. She lived on Coronado Island and whenever we would be going to or coming from San Diego I would tell my mom, "you know the drill." Then we would find some obscure place on the side of the highway to trade positions, whence I would become passenger and she the driver. Even in her late seventies, I felt she was better equipped to drive over the fearfully high, death defying Coronado San Diego bridge. That monstrosity was not only high, but so fast did the five lanes of cars travel, the bridge surface was banked like a race track. And then to make the driving completely unbearable you could see over the thirty inch railings into the watery abyss below. So yes, mom and I had our familiar spot on each side of the bridge where she would man up and I would climb into the back seat, wring my sweaty hands and begin to labor in breath.

When I first moved to Jackson Hole, I had Oklahoma license plates and I would have traffic backed up over a mile on my way home from work. I knew the impatient line of drivers behind me were thinking, "stupid Oklahoman tourist #@!%#*&*!." I was so insecure, I would never take more than quick glance in my rear view mirror because I knew if I looked very long I would surely see the angst of the traveler behind me mouthing a long line of profanities. I'll tell ya, the date upon which I got my Wyoming plates was an Alleluia day! With local plates, I actually felt comfortable enough to subtract five more miles per hour on my speedometer, as the homeward bound line of cars behind me grew even longer. I would then grin and tell my antsy disgruntled helpers that were riding with me, to think of this spectacle as a celebratory parade, where we were leading all the weary pilgrims into the city and back home. lol

I wrote that above, as an introduction for a letter from a SONSHINE reader and friend, I wanted to publish. It seems I was maybe having so much fun reminiscing, I took my eyes off the road ahead and forgot why I writing. Or maybe I had my foot on my oxygen line while typing. Either way, please note that cray intro has absolutely nothing what so ever to do with the following.

Now, with my second attempt at an introduction, I pray this dear saint's correspondence blesses you, as a possible road side marker of our amazing journey into the depths of our Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus. I do believe our sister, Cherri, is coming to the place called "JUST BEING, THAT HE MIGHT BE." This is where we give up the work and He takes over. Although my friend might have shared regrets in her letter, of a possible avenue missed, I know she will find she has always been perfect in God. You see, it is in our surrendering recognition of God's overwhelming sovereignty, we find all of our steps have been pre-ordained perfectly for His greater purpose in Love. Ain't He the best and still He is better yet when we rest and let Him be all He can be. All is wonderment and joy in the Holy Ghost, when we let God be God and we go along for the ride. His fiery chariot ain't bad, when we know He's the driver.


Hi Jack,

Hope you are doing well.

I loved the story of the Grandma with the new bumper sticker. It made me laugh. My mother-in-law just turned 93 years old and drove until two years ago. I am quite certain she experienced some of those intersection worship services a few times and I’m not certain that she didn’t even learn the new Hawaiian language referred to.

I am going though a time of trying to understand what possible good I can be to God’s plan and purpose in the state that I am. I feel so isolated but it isn’t really the isolation that is bothering me as much as the lack of vision and direction.

I know the futility of “the knowledge” of Cherri and I have placed that carnality on the cross where it belongs. I recently read an article that spoke about “coming up higher to get direction”, but I don’t know how to do that.I don’t know what is preventing me and I don’t know what is holding me captive. I want to be totally free yet I can’t seem to get there.

I am remembering a place of knowing that I could walk away within me. I was in a very difficult situation and had come to the end. I went into my room and slid down the bed to the floor facing the wall and all of a sudden I knew that I knew that somehow I could just walk away on the inside of me. I don’t mean walk away from the situation or the people and I knew that my body would not cease to live but I would not be there.

It was a tempting knowledge, however, fear of not knowing where I was going and perhaps a fear of leaving what I thought was reality prevented me. Maybe had I turned loose that day and walked away from life as I perceived life to be at that time I would have been sitting with Him in that higher place.

Now I want to walk away and I don’t know how. Now that foolish ego that desired to make a difference or be of value has been exposed as a selfish desire to be as God. Now I just want to be with God.

If I can’t vacate this body Christ cannot occupy this body. I don’t know how to vacate. I understand how to move out of a structural house (Lord knows I have done plenty of that). I just open the door, get in my vehicle and drive away and the next occupant moves in. I don’t understand how to move out of this physical house (body). I don’t know where to go. I don’t have a direction and I don’t have a vision.

I am willing to walk away from my body but I don’t know where to go or even how to get there. I don’t know where the vehicle is for me to get into and drive away. How do I go there so He can come here, and where is there?

I know this is kind of heavy but I thought you would probably understand this place. I know the answers can only come from God but sometimes it helps just to bounce it off of another.I hope this is okay to share with you. I know that you are walking your walk as well.

Blessings to you my friend,
Cherri


Did you know Cherri is a Latin variant of Charity. Seems our sister's letter and name have that commonality. Thank you Cherri.

My Mentor...........My Friend

God has been in our midst from the beautiful beaches of Coronado Island to the purple hills in Wyoming. I and my family have loved being with you and sharing the little snippets of time and vacations we’ve had together……We’ve shared in the good times and the bad. I have seen or spoken to you almost every day for three years, which at times still amazes me. We have experienced the mighty workings of God both in healing and provision……..but the things that have moved me most are the wrestling’s of the Lord that you have shared…….thank you for letting me and oft times those on Sonshine see your heart. It has encouraged us to pick up our cross and move on.

It has been an wondrous journey as the writings of Sonshine have been compiled……..YOU, prolific in your writings, ME, pensive and cathartic……….YOU, plunging deeper and deeper into the revelations and sovereignty of God……..ME, trembling to believe it so……….YOU, unmovably sure of God’s direction……ME, trying to grasp all that had been sown in me in error………shocked at the traditions of men that lay in my foundation….For sure we have been put together and held together by our Lord. The landlocked surfer and the x-pastors wife....never two more unlikely to be friends except by the grace and providence of our Lord.

Becoming your friend was an unexpected gift..…….as I no longer believed in the transforming power of our Lord in this life.....Lord knows I needed to see what real looked like.........and you Mr. Hennessey sure fit the bill.......lol

Thank you for your constant prayers. It is so true that one who loves much prays much and we (all of us on Sonshine) have felt your prayers.

So we go forward into a New Year………..trusting, praying and loving our Savior, our everything, who is All and IN ALL……whatever is ahead……….I know he planned it before the foundations of the earth…….and so I rest in his grace and love……..

Love you my friend,
Joian

NUGGETS OF PRECIOUS GOLD ..... "Keep Your Hands Off"

.
"Neither know we what to do; but our eyes are, upon thee" 2Chron 20:12

This morning, I am blessed to write our three hundredth blog on SONSHINE. It is not something I take personal pride in, as I know it is only by His hand that this blog, which Joian and I began almost three years ago is still sustained by His grace and at His pleasure.

With that said, how often it seems, I visit an Internet site, that begins with much lofty vision and hoopla, only to discern the purpose of such is motivated by some carnal desire, where the glory of Christ plays second fiddle. Months later, I will visit this same site and find all the excitement and activity has wained to almost nothing. So it is that the carnality of man, that ever walks in it's own selfish motivation, upon finding it's endeavor lacking, moves to the next new thing. The way of the untethered and restless soul is ever to and fro, to and fro thus the plow handle is never firmly grasped nor held straight.

You might ask, "what was Joian's and My motivation three years ago March, when we began this little blog? Well, it seems last week, I unknowingly stumbled across a small paragraph, hidden away in an old post, and it succinctly speaks to that. This below, was used as an epilogue for a writing and I believe it addresses the sustaining method, nature and motivation of our work here, which we sincerely hope is His work here. Please allow me:

"I certainly didn't expect to write all the above this morning, as I was feeling a tad bit battered when I awoke. As I contemplated going back to bed and pulling the covers over my head I thought, "No, I am close to empty but there is still a few grains of meal in the barrel and a splash oil in the cruse, so in a gift of worship I shall write. If there was none that ever read my words I am convinced, I would still type them for He whom I love above all. For me writing has become worship."

Occasionally, we also like to give to you a chuckle so we share that which causes us to giggle. With that overview, I am also reminded of how, I have written on at least a couple of occasions, that we at SONSHINE are not attempting to re-invent the wheel, so we share also the writings of others,. We do this with accompanying prayer, that their words will speak hope and encouragement into your souls. Today, I publish a short message from Lettie Cowman's daily devotional with that same goal in mind. Whether it is politics and world affairs or even the affairs of a loved one that rends your soul, we often must stay our eager hand that God might accomplish that, which we would only hinder, in our efforts to effect change. I loved this writing, even for the scripture with which I opened this blog. It certainly seems, we are beginning to see that Christ is carrying His elect of this age into new places of trust, where we have only a single eye for Him, as He reveals within Himself vistas of God rarely partaken of by man. Oh, how my heart has been stirred of late, as expectation builds to the discovery of new facets of God's being, in Christ Jesus. I pray you have been sensing the same, as expectant wonderment fills our hearts anew with the dawning of each new day. May you be blessed dear reader, as you join us in the spirit of worship with your reading of His SONSHINE blog.
John

Keep Your Hands Off
"Neither know we what to do; but our eyes are, upon thee" 2Chron 20:12

A life was lost in Israel because a pair of human hands were laid unbidden upon the ark of God. They were placed upon it with the best intent, to steady it when trembling and shaking as the oxen drew it along the rough way; but they touched God's work presumptuously, and they fell paralyzed and lifeless. Much of the life of faith consists in letting things alone.
If we wholly trust an interest to God, we must keep our hands off it; and He will guard it for us better than we can help Him. "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."

Things may seem to be going all wrong, but He knows as well as we; and He will arise in the right moment if we are really trusting Him so fully as to let Him work in His own way and time. There is nothing so masterly as inactivity in some things, and there is nothing so hurtful as restless working, for God has undertaken to work His sovereign will. --A. B. Simpson



Being perplexed, I say, 'Lord, make it right!

Night is as day to Thee, Darkness as light.

I am afraid to touch

Things that involve so much;

My trembling hand may shake,

My skilless hand may break;

Thine can make no mistake.


Being in doubt I say,

'Lord, make it plain;

Which is the true, safe way?

Which would be gain?

I am not wise to know,

Nor sure of foot to go;

What is so clear to Thee,

Lord, make it clear to me!


It is such a comfort to drop the tangles of life into God's hands and leave them there.

.

NEW YEAR PROPHESY !

.
Yeah right! Prophetic word for 2010, you have got to be kidding me!
And I bet you knew that before you looked. lol

I think these "New Year prophesies" are but a silly exercise straight from the soulish realm. And don't these appeal to the flesh. Almost all these predictions are sensationalized and look to events in the world and the organized church, rather than target the workings of the Kingdom within. That should be our first hint at their falsity. I actually believe one might do better to view their Horoscope chart for the year rather than cast their eyes and ears upon the hype delivered by these wannabe prophets. At least it is clearly known, the spirit behind the Hororscope, whereas these "New Years Words"are sly counterfeits. I know some of you have to be be sensing in your own spirit, the complete lack of anointing in these New Years absurdities. And then the sentence leading, "I say", as if the edict is God Himself speaking to me, just rubs me six ways to wrong! With those, I overcome my inquisitiveness real quick, as I quit the very moment I spy the first, "I say." This stuff isn't even milk for the immature nor is it pure blasphemy. In most cases, it is just plain ol' foolishness! So I ask, "is the prophet a bigger fool than the audience of such?" Nah, they both fall in the ditch. And so it every year, the ditch is filled anew.

The restless soul, ever anxious, wants to know what tomorrow holds. Conversely, Jesus calls a few to Himself, that trust Him with such implicity, they have no need of a program or menu. These are those that are so in love, they follow their Prize wherever He goes. For where their Love is, they are content to sup from His plate. Truth be known, Jesus carries His trusting lover, wherever He goes and they have no need of map nor plan. This is called, His glorious rest, and it is.

Let's just rest in Him folks and bid the soulish prognosticator, "go bother someone else." Guarantee, you trust Him in love and you will find yourself resting in God's perfect place which is the very destination the restless prophet desires, but can never see.

Dear reader,the greatest realms of God's are unknown, so He takes our trust into the unknown, to give us the greater part of Himself.

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Prov 3:5

"In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, 'flee as a bird to your mountain?'" Ps 11:1

I pray you experience a wondrous year feasting off His plate while you bask in His love,


John

THE MEASURE OF THE CROSS .....

.

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me" Gal. 2:20

The measure of the Cross, is the measure of Christ, which is the measure of Love. In this world such measure is impossible, so we are given Eternity which is Christ, which is the Cross, which is Love and God Himself. Such is the mystery of Christ, Cross and Love which baffles and bruises the intellect as it attempts to encompass it. You can never encompass that which consumes you and the Good News is, all will be consumed by the Love of Christ through the Cross. God gives us the Cross, and the Cross gives us God and Love is shed abroad in our heart.

After a bit of a walk with Jesus, and He sharing a few things, I have to believe the Cross is at the very core of this universe and even the center of God's heart. Also, I perceive the Cross ageless, as the Lamb was slain before the foundations of the world. As far as the dimension of time, which incidentally, neither scientist nor theologian has ever understood, the Cross is, was and will ever be. This makes me ponder the Cross, our Cross, as even being time itself. I think so, for patience brings forth it's perfect work as does the Cross. So it is in addition, while the Cross lays within the center of world, the world is made our Cross, as we each are heaven sent and heaven bound. This world is not our home, so this earthly pilgrimage is to our humiliation and our Cross to bear. Man's earthly life is as Calvary's path, yet Christ walks the Via de la Rosa within the very dimensions of man. Thus the Cross is within and the Cross is without.

You know, I tried over and over to carry that Cross and for the life of me, I couldn't budge it. So I gave gave up and then Jesus came along and lifted it for me. Today, my precious Yeshua carries the Cross within me and how amazing to find I am also on it. Christ carries the Cross within and I am on it, yet I am hidden in His side as He carries me home. Oh, the wonder of it all. Praise Jesus, praise His name, for He is carrying me back home and into His resurrected life. My only struggle today, is to learn to rest and even that is by His doing and it will done in His way and in His time. Yes, I have discovered something of the Cross, however, it's dimensions I have barely begun to plumb. So the Cross is, was and will ever be, till I and every other man has realized the fullness of Christ. Then we will know Christ, Cross and Love are surely the same.

To the uninitiated such language is folly but alas, the Cross Bearer has always been discounted and scorned. Didn't creation hang the creator on the cross. And wasn't creation made for such that we might know the love of God, where the creator suffers the Cross for His creation with the sure hope that creation will return the favor. So the circle of Love grows, as the Cross grows. Yes, for a surety, such Love has no dimension thus eternity is given for it's measure. I stand in complete awe of the Cross tonight. I hope you stand in awe of Christ too. And together, while lost in Love, we are able to find wondrous delight in measuring the Immeasurable.


In the Cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o’er the wrecks of time.
All the light of sacred story
Gathers around it head sublime.




(poem by John Bowring)