Penny moved around the garden waiting for Joel and Bethany to arrive. She had decided to hold the fellowship in the summer house. It was a beautiful evening, spring had finally arrived, grape hyacinths and blue bells flowering side by side. New life from the dead of winter.
The trees on the slopes of the surrounding hills had burst into leaf turning the landscape into a lush green. She imagined Yeshua sitting on the hillside, people gathering attracted to his presence and her Lord speaking with authority, the crowd hanging on every word of this young Jewish Rabbi.
A voice interrupted her train of thought.
"Okay to use the tradesman's entrance" asked Joel
"Of course" said Penny "Come in, I decided to use the summer house, its such a lovely evening, they are waiting for us".
Bethany had her guitar slung across her back.
"Thought we could have a worship session this week as well, okay with you? she asked.
"Fine" said Penny "by the way we have a visitor"
Philip joined the group and they walked down to the bottom of the garden to join the others.
Lee took charge of the introductions. "Hi everyone this is Ruth, she's another escapee from our former church, after this evening she may decide to join our merry band of dissidents - or leave in a hurry!!"
Ruth described herself as a refugee from Apostasy. Widowed she lived alone having shunned any attempt by the opposite sex to (as she humorously put it) get their feet under her table. She suggested to her then pastor he might want to mention church was not a dating agency. She laughed and said "he did mention it the following week" She preferred to follow Paul's teaching on that aspect in 1 Corinthians 7 - 40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment........Ruth considered whatever time she had left was unto the Lord.
Philip explained the purpose of the Remnant, their commitment to the King James Bible as sole authority. He said there would be no more than twelve to a group and as the fellowship grew one couple would break away and build another cell. That their leader was the Lord, each participant just a sheep of His pasture.
Ruth positively glowed. At last, at last, thank you Lord was her silent prayer. Her accusers had suggested she was a church hopping individual and along with her critical spirit was downright disruptive at times, of course anyone who challenged the inner circle was considered out of order, but as she looked at this group she saw His spirit filled children and tears filled her eyes.
"I think Bethany should lead the service tonight everyone" Lee suggested. "Later we will study Deuteronomy 14 - 2, and into the New Testament Titus 2 - 14 and 1 - Peter 2 - 9 this should encourage and remind us that God chose the Jews above all nations but that as Christians today we will be considered peculiar and persecution will continue until the Lord comes".
Bethany picked up her guitar and the mellow chords echoed on the evening breeze as the group began to sing:
BE STILL FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD THE HOLY ONE IS HERE,
COME BOW BEFORE HIM NOW WITH REVERENCE AND FEAR...........
Penny considered it was as though Yeshua stood in the open doorway illuminated by the sinking sun. They broke bread and drank the wine remembering their Lord an innocent victim of the religious establishment of His day, and that He paid the price for their sins and the sins of all mankind.
Prayers and praise ended they picked up their bibles and turned to Deuteronomy 14 - 2
For thou art an Holy people unto the Lord thy God,
and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself,
above all the nations that are upon the earth.
"Get round that Sizer" Joel muttered.
At the end of the study session Bethany instructed "Three times in bible we are called peculiar people. Even school children can see the difference in their truly spirit filled counterparts, but they can be cruel at times and bully them calling them at best - odd and at worst........" her voice trailed away as if she was remembering some incident.
As the sun was setting they lit lamps illuminating the table ready for supper. Hungry bats swooping and diving chasing a small cloud of midges hovering over a damp corner of grass. Penny emerged from the house carrying a large covered dish.
"Hope you don't mind guys but as it got somewhat cooler after the welcome rain last week I thought perhaps you might enjoy a hot pot for supper, there's plenty more if anyone wants seconds, help yourselves to the fresh bread and I've a chocolate dessert waiting".
When the meal ended everyone agreed Penny was an excellent cook. Penny laughed "I try to keep to plain cooking, I like to know what has gone into the pot. The nuns at the convent school I attended taught us well. At fifteen I could bake bread, cakes, desserts, make good stews and soups. They sent us out into the world well equipped. In those days you were expected to be a good little housewife, stay at home and raise the children but in my case I had to work outside the home as well"
"How things have changed and not for the better" mourned Lee "its instant this and down to a fast food outlet for chips and nuggets. Ugh. But that was great Penny, I couldn't eat another mouthful.
As they finished their coffee Betty enquired "do you feel refreshed Ruth, will you be with us next week"
"I would really love to join if you would have me" replied Ruth "I realise I will be the oldie in the group but you have made me so welcome. A delightful change from past experiences. And I really felt that empty chair was filled".
Everyone smiled and said Amen and Amen.
She continued "last week we decided to visit a church that appeared to be moving in a right direction. The associate pastor was posting footage of Sizer in action on the internet and we then discovered his home church was only twenty minutes away from my place. Sara my daughter came over with her children and the plan was to visit the church for the Sunday morning service. We arrived fifteen minutes late and by the time we had negotiated side streets we arrived at the rear of the building only to find the car park shut. Access from the pedestrian footpath to the main entrance door was padlocked. The service was in progress, my daughter helped her son scale the fencing with the instruction to go round to the main door. He was unable to open the door. The church appeared to be in Lock Down.
Sara, who by the way has inherited my wicked sense of humour said "is he preaching on Matthew 25 - 10 - because we certainly could not get in. We just stood looking at the rather faded sign "Jesus is Lord, worship him here"
"Well" said Sara "getting in would be a start" We both laughed and I said "So that's a NO Lord".
"What happened then" Lee enquired.
"Well we turned around and went for Sunday lunch at my favourite watering hole and then Sara drove home. The following day I sent a light hearted humorous description of my attempt to visit the church which went down like a lead bullet with the senior pastor. His return e.mail stated they were the body of Christ for that area and he considered my pun " is that a NO then Lord" was probably right".
Later in the week Sara telephoned and suggested "you know Mum I think it was a case of 3 John - 9-10. "That's a bit strong" commented Joel"
"Actually I don't think it was" Ruth replied "even sadder was his comment the car park was shut during the services to stop the people from the local supermarket using the facility".
"Gordon Bennett" wailed Joel "what a missed opportunity. You could just see a big guy (I suggest a hunk - just in case) saying "Hey if you want to park here there's a charge, you come in and know Him better!! Of course he took the risk of getting head butted for his pains, but it was worth a try yeah!!
And pastor that is what door keepers are there for. Fling the doors wide open and let the worship echo down the street. Of course I appreciate not everyone can deal with Hells Angels like Rauna May the Canadian Evangelist who was about to have a fleet of threatening men on motorcycles ride in through the open doorway but they found there was an invisible barrier stopping them, the guys were so impressed by this unexplained phenomenon they started to attend the services and eventually gave their lives to the Lord. Good hey" Everyone smiled approval. Joel really believed God must have a sense of humour especially when he surveys the mindless stupidity of some of his sheep.
"Also" continued Bethany "we must not forget Hebrews 13 - 2
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unaware."
"Oh just happy to be to a door keeper in the house of the Lord" sighed Bethany "that will do for me"
As the group headed home Lee assured Ruth she would be supported with transport. "Just call my name and I'll be there" Lee suggested. Ruth laughed "that's a song isn't it. But I am grateful I can't tell you how many times Jenny and I stood at the bus stop waiting for the all night bus service as the youngsters in the church drove past, heading our way, actually passing our homes. An altar call from the vicar fell on stoney ground, but they were more than happy to been seen leading in church or at an Alpha Course".
You really got the feeling you were invisible and perhaps it was time you dropped off your twig. There is no respect these days for wisdom, experience and discernment. I was unfortunate enough to be placed in the small question and answer group a young man (hot from bible college) was leading. I sat silently wondering why don't they answer the questions people ask them instead of sitting there just smiling at them. Can't they answer. This irritation on my part was obviously picked up by the young man who suggested "there is a critical spirit in the group" yes it was me, for heavens sake just answer the man. I learnt to pass on any future groups just happy to wait on the tables and wash the dishes.
"Here we are" said Lee parking the car at her garden gate. He leapt out and opened the car door. "Mind your head Ruth its not easy getting out of this model, have a peaceful night and I'll pick you up next Saturday"
Philip and Penny had closed the door behind their departing brothers and sisters. "That was awesome tonight" said Penny "can you imagine what it would be like singing with thousands upon thousands of spirit filled children of God before the throne. She continued "you know Phil I get so tired of it all, why can't we live in peace with each other, what hope is there for mankind if this slaughter continues I can't watch the news channels any more its all blood and body parts."
"Keep focused Penny" her husband said gently "stop looking at the storm, eyes straight ahead. Baruch ha ba b'shem Adonai, soon Lord. Come on peculiar person, its time to get some sleep. As they climbed the stairs the words of 3 John 4 came to mind.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the Truth.
SHALOM
