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"

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"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.

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NEW YEAR PROPHESY !

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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 .....

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"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)

SILENT NIGHTS & AMAZING GRACE

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"The outward symbols disappear
From him whose inward sight is clear;
And small must be the choice of days
To him who fills them all with praise!

"Keep while you need it, brothers mine,
With honest seal your Christmas sign,
But judge not him who every morn
Feels in his heart the Lord Christ born!"

The Christmas holidays for some strange reason have most oft for me, been filled with feelings of melancholy. Oh I tell ya, I suffered some excruciatingly sad ones growing up and maybe it is that which haunts me. And then again, maybe there is a thousand unknown reasons why I have found little joy in the celebratory season. Well, this season has been different, in that I suffer a joy mixed with sorrow and a glory stirred with suffering. Such are the ways I believe, when one has even surrendered his emotions to the Lord. Surely it is His joy and sorrow, glory and suffering that are precious parts and golden parcels for the making of a priest after the likeness of Jesus. There is always the paradox in the Kingdom, so in keeping such my soul wrestles the spirit. The two parts of the inward man grapple dizzily, one mixing it up with the other, often times leaving my awareness in a pleasant slow motion bliss. It is in this state of surrender, where it matters not whether tears fall or laughter erupts. One might even describe this experience as an oblivious pleasant dream state of not knowing where spirit meets soul, but resting in a deep trust that there is sacred union taking place beyond any of our efforts. It is almost as the place, I have heard women, who have suffered labor, describe. They talk of the setting, where the foreign pain is so great, one finds escape in an out of body realm. There, the expectant mother feels like she is looking down on the scene of the workings of the birth of a child. So it seems, God has made wondrous escape for me this season. I have been miraculously translated from melancholy to the state of being a peaceful observer of the ongoing union and birthing process of spirit and soul bringing forth the mature son in Christ image. Tonight, with pleasant cleansing tears, born of a menagerie of emotions, I write in wonderment of God's ways with me. Bless His Name, for there is none like Him and He is good ........... so very very good.

Just so happened today, I enjoyed a lovely phone visit with the lady, in who's home I met Jesus, some thirty five years ago. She is a most wise and compassionate soul and she tells it like it is. I so love that kind of person. And what a wonder, my friend and I should be close after all these years and further more, miraculous is it, that we would know the same Sovereign God of Love that saves all. What are the odds on that!

So Caroline and I were catching up and I was sharing my strange and unique pleasant state, when she was quickened to a poem. She gave a little synopsis, after sharing the title and author. This was one of those eureka moments, as I was looking for the missing part for the blog I wanted to publish. I felt there was something out there that I would come across to introduce some video songs that reflect my many emotions these last few days. So with out further adieu, I share a most incredible gift of poetry and then some songs that really moved me this week. Be blessed my dear friends and I pray your Christmas season is as wonderfully filled with Him, as mine.
Jack


With this poem, just the title alone grabbed me, as I believe to really know Christ, one must enter the mystical realm of understanding.

The Mystic's Christmas
by John Greenleaf Whittier

"All hail!" the bells of Christmas rang,
"All hail!" the monks at Christmas sang,
The merry monks who kept with cheer
The gladdest day of all their year.

But still apart, unmoved thereat,
A pious elder brother sat
Silent, in his accustomed place,
With God's sweet peace upon his face.

"Why sitt'st thou thus?" his brethren cried,
"It is the blessed Christmas-tide;
The Christmas lights are all aglow,
The sacred lilies bud and blow.

"Above our heads the joy-bells ring,
Without the happy children sing,
And all God's creatures hail the morn
On which the holy Christ was born.

"Rejoice with us; no more rebuke
Our gladness with thy quiet look."
The gray monk answered, "Keep, I pray,
Even as ye list, the Lord's birthday.

"Let heathen Yule fires flicker red
Where thronged refectory feasts are spread;
With mystery-play and masque and mime
And wait-songs speed the holy time!

"The blindest faith may haply save;
The Lord accepts the things we have;
And reverence, howsoe'er it strays,
May find at last the shining ways.

"They needs must grope who cannot see,
The blade before the ear must be;
As ye are feeling I have felt,
And where ye dwell I too have dwelt.

"But now, beyond the things of sense,
Beyond occasions and events,
I know, through God's exceeding grace,
Release from form and time and space.

"I listen, from no mortal tongue,
To hear the song the angels sung;
And wait within myself to know
The Christmas lilies bud and blow.

"The outward symbols disappear
From him whose inward sight is clear;
And small must be the choice of days
To him who fills them all with praise!

"Keep while you need it, brothers mine,
With honest seal your Christmas sign,
But judge not him who every morn
Feels in his heart the Lord Christ born!"


I have listened to these two renditions of "Silent Night" over and over again and each time I cried for different reasons. This first song video brought a ticklish joy to my heart mixed with some sorrow. Oh, how I wish I had some children come to visit some times. How I miss the innocent magic they possess.

Here are fifty three little angels of Nagasaki with Andrea Rieu. Please enjoy.




Wow, what can I say about this next one and to say too much would be a shame, as I would wrongly color your experience in measuring this awesome song. I wept deeply with this one, as it made me think of my father, whom I lost some weeks ago. In reality, Dad was lost from me before I was even born. His overwhelming distance from my sisters and me, I believe was, in part, wrought from the ravages of war. He fought three of them as a career Naval Officer. The most damaging to Dad, I believe, was as a submariner in the Second World War. Could you imagine the harrowing horror of depth charges being dropped on you, as you lay at the bottom of the sea. How very tragic these wars and we sometime loose sight of the post traumatic ramifications that effect the many that love these warriors. May you be moved.

SILENT NIGHT IN NO MAN'S LAND 1915

The truce began on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1914, when German troops began decorating the area around their trenches in the region of Ypres, Belgium, for Christmas. They began by placing candles on trees, then continued the celebration by singing Christmas carols, most notably Stille Nacht (Silent Night). The British troops in the trenches across from them responded by singing English carols.

The two sides continued by shouting Christmas greetings to each other. Soon thereafter, there were calls for visits across the "No Man's Land" where small gifts were exchanged — whisky, jam, cigars, chocolate, and the like. The artillery in the region fell silent that night. The truce also allowed a breathing spell where recently-fallen soldiers could be brought back behind their lines by burial parties. Proper burials took place as soldiers from both sides mourned the dead together and paid their respects. At one funeral in No Man's Land, soldiers from both sides gathered and read a passage from the 23rd Psalm.

The truce spread to other areas of the lines, and there are many stories of football matches between the opposing forces. The film Joyeux Noël suggests that letters sent home from both British and German soldiers related that the score was 3-2 in favour of the Germans.
(Wikipedia)




And then, how could I not end this heartfelt and emotional writing without a most beautiful rendition of the song of all songs. I pray, you might reflect on just how amazing His grace is and how it has been so uniquely and lovingly extended to you.



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A MOST SACRED INTERSECTION IN GOD

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Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2Cor12:10

I cried some days ago when I received an E-mail from Florian, as I knew he was dying. His state of impending mortality is not in the sense of dying as the world knows. No, it is a state of his soul dieing to this world and himself, that Christ might ever live and reign in and through him. There are so many beautiful souls I know, that are currently in this very same process, as our dear brother. One way or another, diverse trials seem to abound but each that is counted as elect of this age, are finding that there is a supernal contentment in the midst of these fires. So it is, that we should all occasionally weep, as we view the death of a son. For as it is with the Lord so it is with us as we witness pure and beautiful souls in the making.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Ps 116.15

And we are not afraid, but are quite content to die, for then we will be at home with the Lord. For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth. After my skin is destroyed, this I know -- that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain,
for the former things have passed away.
2 Cor 5.8, Job 19.25-27 & Rev 21.4

Here, in the E-mail mentioned, our brother Florian describes his death and his appointed fire between the bookend thoughts concerning others which I have omitted.

"I am working two jobs at the moment and the money is barely enough to pay the bills. Sometimes I'm so tired that all I can do is fall on my bed and say 'Papa meet me' just before I fall asleep. We are going probably through one of the toughest times of our lives right now but we also experience Father's provision in new ways. The worst thing I guess is not really getting around to pray and the lack of vision. On the other hand we sense we are entering a new realm of intimacy with Him and a level of compassion for the broken and hurting. In other words, I have no clue what is going on. I just know that He is holding on to us even if we let go of Him."

An hour or so after being moved by Florian's letter, I happened upon a writing by one of his favorite teachers. I knew then, I would share his letter and part of this writing below, that others might gain strength and encouragement. You will love how this author describes the Divinely appointed tension we often feel. Better yet he gives the "why of it."


Designed Tension

"There is a strange tension involved as we walk along the Jesus-Way. Though the tension has been designed by God to bring out His best in us, a feeling that this ought not to be persistently dogs us. One of the marks of spiritual maturity is the recognition and acceptance of this tension as a dynamic necessary for the believer to come to an intimate knowledge of "the glory of His grace."

If we are to know God, we must come to know Him in His glorious givingness. Grace is just that---God's givingness. God is glorious in His givingness. It is by His givingness that we know His glory. "The glory of His grace," literally means "His grace's glory." That's His nature, to pour out Himself into us from within us. He is, in Christ, the artesian well in us springing up into aeonian life.

The goal of that up-springing is that the artesian well in us should become rivers of living water flowing out of our innermost being as we become extensions of the out-pouringness of the Divine Nature, that is, to love as He loves, to give as He gives.

God gives out of His infinite supply, and the supply, paradoxically, is infinite because God is always emptying Himself into His Son, and His Son into others, and by that emptying, His own fulness is always a fresh supply. I dare say that God's fulness in the aeonian flow of His life, grows by the dynamic of His self-emptying.

His fulness is not a static condition. From out of His eternal infinitude, within our creaturehood, He increases Himself so that in the interplay of His eternality with His aeonian immanence, the eternality of God gives increase to creation, and draws forth from itself increase in the process.

This is seen clearly in Mary's exclamation, "My soul doth magnify the Lord...." The Greek word translated as "magnify" most essentially simply means to make large, to increase. The word can include the idea of extolling God, and though we usually think of that in terms of saying great things about God, more essentially, we extol the excellence of God by His increase in our soul-life.

So enters the strange-feeling tension. We are called to walk the Jesus-Way conscious of BOTH infinite supply, and extreme need. Even God by His Spirit in the aeons experiences this consciousness, for He, with us, and us, with all creation, groans for the revealing of the sons of God ......

So enters the strange-feeling tension. We are called to walk the Jesus-Way conscious of BOTH infinite supply, and extreme need. Even God by His Spirit in the aeons experiences this consciousness, for He, with us, and us, with all creation, groans for the revealing of the sons of God.

We are often made to feel, by unbalanced teaching, that we ought to walk only in the consciousness of infinite supply, so when those times come when we are engulfed in a sense of need, we are made to feel that we're so lacking in divine consciousness that those who preach this perception to us must certainly live on a much higher spiritual plane.

Jesus didn't live that way. Paul didn't. John didn't. They prayed for God's supply. They prayed from a consciousness of infinite supply AND profound need. That's what prayer is. We have religiousized it, and turned it into a formula. In fact, prayer is living in the Presence of infinite supply with a consciousness of neediness. Prayer, dear ones, simply is having the eyes of our human need fixed on Jesus.

The process often involves being exhausted from drawing out of our own resources, from a deceived expectation that our own endurance is up to life's challenges. Just naturally, our existential state is a state of neediness, when deception enters in, things become really complicated as we egotistically try to be to ourselves what we need.

That's what creation is all about. God has brought into existence a dimension of neediness as a complement to His provision, and then He exacerbates the situation through the lie of the serpent about our capabilities. Read Paul carefully, and you meet a man keenly aware that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him, but you meet a man of weakness also; a man in whose weakness, God's strength is perfected.

See, to know God's strengthening, you must be in touch with your weakness. God strengthens the weak."
(excerpted from a writing by John Gavazzoni)

"Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." 2Cor12:10

Hopefully, as I add to the anointed message of Gavazzoi, we might see, there is even a deeper revelation of our need meeting His supply. It is even a rest from tension and He is bringing some into it, by varying degrees. One day this freedom from care of self will fully overtake us and like Enoch we will be found no more. Lord help us to judge the glorious meaning of "no more."

Considering our weakness, as it lays before His almighty strength, I believe the starting place of pure faith is found with the surrender of our soul mixed with a trust that God is good in all His workings toward us. Our futility is so complete, we cannot possibly ever find faith. Instead, faith is given to us, as an unmerited gift. It is only given, as we are caused to recognize our need. So it is, in recognition of our futility, we learn to trust Him to carry us through the times that try our souls and rend our flesh. After suffering my fare share of trials, I have deduced, that there is a most sacred intersection, in which Christ is found in His greater glory. This Holy place is located where "I don't know" meets "I can't". With tears flowing, I will tell you, this is where one finds direction for life and rest for one's soul. And it is, that from the Holy place we enter into the Holy of Holies and the very ark of God's Christ. I know you, like me, are learning it is all Him and when we have come to the point of having nothing to offer but the sacrifice of the whole of our self, there we find in return, our personal setting at His table, overflowing with Heaven's bounty.

If I might share one other thing; standing in the middle of "I don't know" and "I can't" is truly the closest thing I know, to being translated to another world. Really! For those that trust not in themselves, but only in Him, He is taking them into that which I might term the "unknowing." This blessed state, more fully described as the "unknowing of self" is where one senses he or she is blissfully adrift and being carried by the Spirit above the cares of life. It is an almost subconscious state, where one easily entreats that which satiates real goodness within our soul. Even in the midst of great trial this can be experienced. And in such, it is all the more greatly needed.

The world with it's people and it's circumstances will try us with the taunt, "Can God spread a table in the desert? Ps 78:19
And while it may not be fully perceived by others you will feel the latter rain falling about you and refreshing your soul.
In the wilderness the latter rain of the Spirit will be poured out and there will be justice, righteousness, peace, faith, and rest in the Lord. Til the Spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be esteemed as a forest. Then justice shall dwell in the wilderness; and righteousness shall abide in the fruitful field. And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence for ever. And my people shall abide in a peaceable habitation, and in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting-places. Isaiah 32:15-18

If you are like me, you probably scratched your head when you first read of Paul and Silas singing in jail. I mean, how in the world could these crazy loons possibly be happy?! Now you know and may you cause others to scratch and think lunatic as you demonstrate that unspeakable joy in the middle of trouble. I know I have family that looks at me and I have heard the whispers, "Jack's not right. Because of his sickness he is not right in his head as he seems to throw care to the wind. So they gather to care for me in my blissful state. And my bliss only increases. lol

Please now suffer me, an unexpected rant. God! I am so dang tired of those that prophesy, for the world, "end time predictions of doom and gloom" or worse yet "it is finished and this is as good as it gets." Yeah, I am sick of it and I bet some of you are too! It all strikes my spirit wrong, as I believe these self appointed prophets of doom either love the sensational, are bored or want for others their portion of fire and the sooner the better. And the "it is finished" crowd seem to care little for anything resembling personal judgement as they would rather illusion their ease and thus pretend ease for all. Well, I say take a safari in Congo or a trek through Gaza and then tell me how easy it is there! There is great gloom and doom in this world today and there always has been. Such is the nature of this world for man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward*. Yes, I am sick and tired of the voices that walk the ditch on both sides of the narrow. However, even in this I can take solace, knowing one day, both the gloomy prognosticator and the New Age illusionist will find full surrender and be dragged up hither. There, they will wish good for all, knowing all will eventually find the Christ of the Cross and shelter in His side. Rant over

Anyway, with rant behind, I am overjoyed because some I count as friend, are learning like me to say, "where ever and when ever, Lord. I am all Yours, to be moved by and also into Your almighty, all knowing and immeasurable goodness."

So in closing let me say , it is the Spirit of God that translates us from the darkness of our fallen world into the peaceful radiance of the Kingdom of the Son**. For a surety our salvation is realized on Christ's path where our ignorance bows before His omniscience, our weakness reveals His strength, and our emptiness is replaced by His fullness. What an amazing journey God has set before His prized pilgrims of this age. These selfless sojourners are those who are not afraid to forsake all and follow where ever He goes. Truly, the heaven bent soul is moved by His careful hand along a sparsely traveled path, found in this world but not of this world.

Dear reader, as we find sweet surrender and rest in Him, we are being raised, and being TRANSLATED into His Kingdom NOW. You will never be able to explain this, for it is in the experience, we realize the wonderment of resting in Christ. So,I pray you find the sacred place of surrender, for out of your weakness, He will carry you into the dawning day, of the fullness of His power and glory. And there you will find that all that was once lost and marred is now made new and perfect. There is no more glorious hope in Christ, thus I share with you and I hope you share with others, that GOD IS GOOD!

Jack

* Job 5:7
** Col 1:13