A Time of Transitions

I keep hearing the Spirit of the LORD say, "This is a time of transition for My people." Just as the season of repentance revealed to us that which needs to be corrected in each of us, now we are being given a period of grace in which to teshuva - turn around 180 degrees and go the other direction.

As John and I were driving across the highest peaks of the Colorado Rocky Mountains this week, the Father showed us several parables about this. We had ascended to the top of Cottonwood Pass and reached the Continental Divide, that place that divides our continent in half, and seems to be at the top of the world! Clamoring over rocks, above timber line, we took the opportunity in that high place to call down strongholds that bind this nation and tear at the fabric of our families. Then we got back into the Jeep to slowly and carefully descend the mountain. The road was rough and the switchbacks severe and steep. John remarked, "First gear is too slow and second gear is too fast."

"That's a parable!" I mused. In this period of transition it is difficult at times to negotiate the path so that we stay right in the center of God's will. If we are in first, we lag behind Him and if we shift into second, we run ahead. We must find that place where we can move in His rhythm, waiting upon Him for instruction in every small decision and attempting to give Him pinpoint obedience in the smallest of things.

Several times John and I met oncoming vehicles on this extremely narrow, treacherous road, and we marveled that each time another vehicle approached us, there was a small pull-out on our side of the road, just in time, avoiding collision. "That's My grace," the Spirit whispered. "If you make the transitions with Me leading the way, even when it looks frightening or dangerous, you will find the grace to avoid collision or confusion. And when you make a wrong turn, you will have a "grace period" to make teshuva; repent and return to Me."

The glorious colors of the changing aspen trees filled our senses with His majesty and beauty - but also reminded us of the season of transition. We, like the trees, are changing. Our very lives and circumstances are changing. Even as I am preparing for a wedding, so I am filled with the deep understanding that Messiah is preparing a Bride for Himself.

Stay on the road with Him somewhere in the middle of first and second gear, and trust Him to provide the "pull-outs" when the road becomes too difficult. Be quick to repent and keep no record of the wrongs done against you. Take no offense, lest it form a bitter root.

It is a time of transitions!

Now Moments

This morning when I opened my daily meditation from Marsha Burns, I read this wonderful declaration: "There is a great blessing released when you embrace your now moments with eternal hope."

Wow, that's powerful. It forces me to stop and ask, "What are my "now moments?" You and I have those moments tucked inside each and every day that we live. All too often I think we miss embracing them, and sometimes we even let them slide by unnoticed.

As I moved through the ten Days of Awe preceding the Day of Atonement, I was aware of "now moments" of vastly different natures. Some moments almost leveled me with conviction in my spirit. Moments when I knew my Father was saying, "You have injured. You have neglected. Reach out to those and ask for forgiveness." I hope I embraced those moments with eternal hope and quickly responded to the Lord's correction.

Then there were moments of hilarious joy when I drove down to New Mexico to spend time with John, my husband-to-be. We laughed as I have not laughed in years, and we ascended to new heights in worship, as we embraced the full understanding of what it will mean to serve our King as a team! We really are embracing those moments with eternal hope, keeping before us the vision of what God wants to do with these two vessels whom He is joining together in Him. "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

Thank you for all the lovely, encouraging well wishes you have sent. It means the world to me! And for those who have written to ask, the mission to Bulgaria is still on for Spring 2011 and John has received an official invitation to come and minister with me in that nation.

Now the Feast of Tabernacles is upon us, beginning tonight as the sun sets. It is known by the Jewish people as "the season of our joy." I pray it will be so for each of you. I pray it will be a time of rejoicing right in the midst of the chaos and turmoil of our world. May we all embrace the "now moments" of these next seven days, and clearly hear the sounds of singing and rejoicing in the streets of Judea and Jerusalem, which are yet to come!

The Season of our Joy!

The Fall Feasts of the Lord are just around the corner! This Wednesday evening, September 8, will mark Yom Teruah, the Feast of the Blowing of Trumpets. Ten days later we will observe Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, followed by Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles.

The celebration of these feasts this year will hold especially great significance for me, as I suddenly find myself personally walking through the deeper meanings of these feasts, which are foreshadows of the coming of Yeshua our Messiah for His Bride. Yom Teruah is a call to repentance and return (teshuva in Hebrew). As believers in Yeshua we are reminded to return in faithfulness or "stay faithful" to our Betrothed until he returns for us. As we blow the shofars announcing His return, we anticipate our Betrothed's arrival, at which time we will be fully cleansed and redeemed, so that we may remain with God forever. As it is in the spiritual, so it is in the physical for me this year!

In the last week of July at the national conference of the Messianic Israel Alliance, I met the man I believe God has chosen for me. I have waited almost eleven years for him! I have not dated or looked for a man in these many years, because I knew that if I were to be married, Yah would have to do the choosing. Somehow - by the power of the Holy Spirit - I knew him when I saw him! We were in an auditorium worshiping the Lord when I got my first glimpse of him, down on his knees, his arms outstretched, his whole heart and body in surrender to the King. And in my heart I felt I heard the Spirit say, "This is your husband whom I have chosen for you."

Since that last week of July we have both received this understanding of God's will for our lives, and we are overcome with joy! As I am awaiting the return of my Messiah and King, who has gone to prepare a place for me, so I am awaiting the return of John, my Betrothed, who is making preparations for us to be married! We have pledged one another our purity, and as we walk through this season of Yom Kippur, we understand that it is a time when we repent of our sin and seek God's forgiveness, offer forgiveness to those who have wronged us, make peace with those with whom we have been at odds, and ask Messiah to wash our garments white as snow, making us a Bride without spot or wrinkle!

John has sought and received the blessing of my 87-year-old father! The picture here shows their joy as they shake hands on their agreement. Now we await the time of Sukkot, the rejoicing of the Wedding Feast, which Yeshua Himself proclaimed would occur following His return. The sukkah (tent or booth) symbolizes the place where the groom takes his bride into His own dwelling, a dwelling He has made for her, the place where the marriage is consummated. Nothing but joy can prevail! The bride and groom have joy unspeakable, for finally - at last - that which is promised is realized!

For all who have walked with me over ten years while I have prayed and waited - rejoice greatly with this daughter of Zion, for my joy is unspeakable!