Sunlight filtered through the net curtains as Betty woke from a less than comfortable night's sleep. The pain was increasing as the disease slowly crippled her aging body but she knew if she didn't move soon she would be in trouble, she had to get mobile.
Gazing out of her bedroom window towards the hills in the east she prayed Baruch ha ba b'shem Adonai. Soon Lord. She would watch and wait.
Matthew 24 - 27
For as the lightning cometh out of the east and shineth even unto the west
so shall also be the coming of the Son of Man.
KJV
Lee was still sleeping peacefully when she made her way downstairs. She would only have time for a quick breakfast before a trip into town to buy supplies for the fellowship supper.
Traffic approaching the town centre was heavy. There used to be a lull after the commuter and school runs until the afternoon, now she couldn't help but notice the roads were clogged with elderly drivers, some quite ancient who doggedly refused to let go of the steering wheel and at times finished up hitting the kerb, going the wrong way down a dual carriageway, or as a memory of her father surfaced, through a roundabout instead of around.
One of her friends had had a particularly scary trip to the local hospital with a ninety year old. "Never again" she moaned "I had to phone my husband and ask him to pick me up, just the thought of the return journey was frightening"
Shopping complete Betty parked her car outside a neat three storey town house. Bethany opened the front door. Four month old Jane was blissfully asleep in her arms unaware of her struggle to keep hold of David's hand. "Talk about terrrible twos" she complained "Jean came home to find her freshly planted pansies all dead headed. Just the stalks in a neat row pointing heavenward. Thankfully she was very good about it. Their first baby is due in the fall. David only has to smile at her and stretch out his hands and she melts."
Betty noticed the SOLD sign on the estate agents board in the garden. "So its really happening" she enquired "Yes" replied Bethany "we really will be sad to leave the fellowship but as we are now twelve someone needs to start another cell and perhaps the other reason is to get off the mainland and give the children a better quality of life."
"Don't blame you" replied Betty "I would love the challenge but I have so many medical appointments I envisage being whipped off by air ambulance, that's provided they could fly in our unpredictable climate. "Oooh Betty" said Bethany in mock horror "Trust in the Lord" She added "provided we can get enough land with the property perhaps we can persuade Mum to come with us and she is a lot older than you."
"Have you found anywhere yet" Betty enquired. "There are a couple of possibilities but we can't do anything until contracts are exchanged, I'm afraid a sold sign means very little these days. After tramping around your home and raising your expectations they happily dash them saying they have found another property. It can be very stressful, but we leave it in the hands of the Lord always" replied Beth.
"Have you found anywhere yet" Betty enquired. "There are a couple of possibilities but we can't do anything until contracts are exchanged, I'm afraid a sold sign means very little these days. After tramping around your home and raising your expectations they happily dash them saying they have found another property. It can be very stressful, but we leave it in the hands of the Lord always" replied Beth.
Shopping safely stacked in the kitchen Betty hurried down the driveway "see you tonight Beth, I'll arrive early so I can help you prepare the supper" "Thank you for everything Betty" Bethany replied "you are such a blessing and after a day with these two little terrors I will need all the help I can get"
Later that evening the fellowship gathered for the usual service and bible study. They now had 13 chairs crammed into a small lounge. Jonathan their former vicar had joined the fellowship along with his wife Sara. Joshua was another refugee from apostasy. The folks next door to Bethany had initially joined the group more out of curiosity than intent and under Jonathan's guidance Jean and Sam eventually reached their commitment to the Lord. The fellowship arranged a trip to Cumbria and in the peace and quiet of the North Lakes they were baptised. Celebrations continued long into the evening with a barbecue around the camp fire. Sam recalled "she was as high as a kite for at least three months"
As they prepared the supper in the kitchen Betty enquired "how is Jonathan coping Sara" "He's not good" Sara replied "he knows he couldn't accept the direction the church was heading, and remembers the Judas mentality of certain people. He has been so institutionalised over the years he is like a boat without a sail. I have managed to persuade him to burn the dog collar and other stuff, he just needs to let go and move on, but its easier said than done.
The wounds are healing but the scars will still be there. He said he felt like a dart board, the back stabbing was dreadful. Nevertheless there is work to be done, I keep telling him you don't retire when the Lord's hand is on your life just because the Pharisees and hierarchy don't agree with your views. What did John the Baptist call them?
The wounds are healing but the scars will still be there. He said he felt like a dart board, the back stabbing was dreadful. Nevertheless there is work to be done, I keep telling him you don't retire when the Lord's hand is on your life just because the Pharisees and hierarchy don't agree with your views. What did John the Baptist call them?
Matthew 3 - 7
Brood of vipers! who warned you to flee from the wrath to come.
And of course the Lord was very much against the religious leaders of the day. Hence their plot to have him killed. You know it really gets up my nose when people say the Jews killed Christ. His followers were Jews, his family and friends were Jews, no it was the religious leaders in the Sanhedrin who saw him as a threat to their authority and control. He certainly told them where to get off.
Matthew 23 - 27 - 28
Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
For ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward,
but are within full of dead men's bones, and all uncleanness.
Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of
hypocrisy and iniquity.
There are still genuine men of God out there, but considering the falling away their pastoring skills are "missing the mark" and what we really need is men like Bunyan" replied Bethany "but of course Bunyan spent twelve years imprisoned by the Anglican church of the day.
Bethany paused "would Jonathan consider heading up a retreat? Joel and I have plans. The Lord has given us a vision and we believe He will bring it about. There are so many damaged Christians needing a place to heal, a chance to revive their spirit, mind and body. Time to charge their batteries so that they are ever ready for what is surely coming. "Isn't that a battery brand?" asked Sara and they both giggled.
"It's not easy" suggested Sara "I can't push, Jonathan is no different to any other man, I can just drop a hint and see where it goes, but what you are taking on is a huge commitment. "Yes" replied Beth "and you can bet your life the enemy's cohorts will do all they can to put a spoke in the wheel. "Well" replied Sara "if they are having a go at you, they are leaving someone else alone". Bethany replied "Amen to that".
Supper prepared Bethany, Sara and Betty rejoined the main group in the lounge. "Has anyone seen Joel" Jonathan enquired at which point the front door swung open and a very tired Joel appeared.
"Sorry I'm late everyone, got stuck in a seven mile tail back on the motor way, what is this morbid streak in people that they have to observe an accident. The other side was at a standstill but we should have been moving freely. Anyway I spent the time praying for the victims." Bethany placed a very welcome cup of tea on the small table by his chair. "Who is leading us tonight" he enquired. All eyes turned to Jonathan.
"You okay Jonathan" asked Joel noticing his tired face. Jonathan managed a weak smile and said "Oh you know, it could be worse" Could it thought Sara. She knew his frustration and pain watching the church to which he had given so many years of his life sliding slowly towards the abyss. Like a rejected child longs for the security of her parents he felt the rejection of the establishment but knew that staying would be living a lie, that he could not twist the Word of God and in speaking out he had made quite a few enemies.
Jonathan stood to address the fellowship. Perhaps tonight we could study Genesis 17 and 18.
Perhaps we can take a certain amount of comfort from the word:
Perhaps we can take a certain amount of comfort from the word:
Genesis 18 - 23
And Abraham came near and said "Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked"
"and of course" interrupted Lee "he went from 50 down to 10 and then obviously nil. Bang.
All gone. Whereas there are many of His children scattered around the globe who hold to his precepts, so we are in with a chance. "Well that's one way of putting it" said Jonathan smiling.
We need to focus in prayer and lets keep it simple. After all the Lord is with us and knows our every thought word and deed. The group respectfully bowed their heads.
We pray for those working to make Your world a better place.
Blessings and Protection of our Holy God.
For all those who risk their very lives in the harvest field.
Blessings and Protection of our Holy God.
For all those falsely accused and imprisoned for preaching your Holy Word
May they be used mightily to set fellow captives free.
They follow their Master, the apostles and the reformation fathers and great is their reward.
Blessings and Protection of our Holy God.
For all those who extend His love and compassion to the lost, sick, homeless and hungry.
Blessings and Protection of our Coming King.
Amen and Amen.
Philip raised the question of dreams. Penny experienced many dreams and some were serious warnings about future events which even now are coming to pass. As she witnessed to family members and some christians in her church she often met with cynicism and they probably thought she had a vivid imagination or considered herself super spiritual, precious and preferred but she would tell them "believe me when I say I don't enjoy being a prophet of doom, but the warning is there, do with it what you will.
She was abused both physically and mentally by her earthly father and had very low self esteem, it had taken her many years to realise she had a Father who loved her unconditionally. When she became a Christian and witnessed her dreams she was the focus of sibling ridicule but she took comfort from Genesis 37. She forgave and moved on with her life knowing one day they would know she was speaking the truth. Joseph is an encouragement to all of us scorned by believers and non.believers alike. What his brothers intended for evil, God used for good. Joseph eventually saved his whole family.
As childhood memories surfaced tears flowed down Penny's face. Philip put a gentle arm around her
and continued "I know Penny loves this fellowship, she feels safe and secure and we will stay here until there is a need for another cell, or the Lord tells us to move on."
Joshua was a recent addition to the group and he tended to sit by Ruth. He enjoyed her sense of humour something he found sadly lacking in the younger age group. He was a kind gentle man usually attracting the predator where women were concerned but he knew Ruth had no agenda. She was open and honest, sometimes painfully honest. "What's that brother of yours up to these days" she asked. "Still the same Ruth, has to be seen and needs his place of prominence in the church. They are now down to ten elderly stalwarts and he certainly doesn't listen to anyone else's opinion. Just maybe he will see sense when he realises where they are heading.
Jack is even worse, he's a Trekkie" at this point everyone laughed. He continued "quite happy to talk about worm holes and trransporters and when I suggested that had its origins in the transfiguration he
just doesn't get it. Or Jesus's comment to his apostles John 8 - 22 - 23 "Whither I go ye cannot come" and he said to them "Ye are from beneath; I am from above. Ye are of this world; I am not of this world." But I pray for them both after all this is God's work Zechariah 4 - 6 "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit saith the Lord of Hosts" chorused the group.
Amen and Amen.
Philip raised the question of dreams. Penny experienced many dreams and some were serious warnings about future events which even now are coming to pass. As she witnessed to family members and some christians in her church she often met with cynicism and they probably thought she had a vivid imagination or considered herself super spiritual, precious and preferred but she would tell them "believe me when I say I don't enjoy being a prophet of doom, but the warning is there, do with it what you will.
She was abused both physically and mentally by her earthly father and had very low self esteem, it had taken her many years to realise she had a Father who loved her unconditionally. When she became a Christian and witnessed her dreams she was the focus of sibling ridicule but she took comfort from Genesis 37. She forgave and moved on with her life knowing one day they would know she was speaking the truth. Joseph is an encouragement to all of us scorned by believers and non.believers alike. What his brothers intended for evil, God used for good. Joseph eventually saved his whole family.
As childhood memories surfaced tears flowed down Penny's face. Philip put a gentle arm around her
and continued "I know Penny loves this fellowship, she feels safe and secure and we will stay here until there is a need for another cell, or the Lord tells us to move on."
Joshua was a recent addition to the group and he tended to sit by Ruth. He enjoyed her sense of humour something he found sadly lacking in the younger age group. He was a kind gentle man usually attracting the predator where women were concerned but he knew Ruth had no agenda. She was open and honest, sometimes painfully honest. "What's that brother of yours up to these days" she asked. "Still the same Ruth, has to be seen and needs his place of prominence in the church. They are now down to ten elderly stalwarts and he certainly doesn't listen to anyone else's opinion. Just maybe he will see sense when he realises where they are heading.
Jack is even worse, he's a Trekkie" at this point everyone laughed. He continued "quite happy to talk about worm holes and trransporters and when I suggested that had its origins in the transfiguration he
just doesn't get it. Or Jesus's comment to his apostles John 8 - 22 - 23 "Whither I go ye cannot come" and he said to them "Ye are from beneath; I am from above. Ye are of this world; I am not of this world." But I pray for them both after all this is God's work Zechariah 4 - 6 "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit saith the Lord of Hosts" chorused the group.
Jonathan suggested "We will close the fellowship with praise: I found this hymn in early 2000 it was in an old dust covered English hymn book on a shelf in the vestry. We started to use it at the climax of the worship session in the evening service. When the congregation sang the power of God fell with such force no one could move.
TO HIM WHO SITS ON THE THRONE AND UNTO THE LAMB X 3
BLESSINGS, GLORY, HONOUR AND POWER FOREVER. X 3
and their worship opened heaven's door.
During supper the conversation moved to current events and the departure of Joel and Bethany from the group. "Would you move out of the area Ruth" Joel enquired. "If I felt it was the Lord's will yes, but at my age I am more anxious to move up, rather than out" everyone laughed. She continued "on a serious note I am not able to cope with a fast moving environment these days. I get tired and I have to pace myself so an afternoon nap is essential.
My only ambition is that perhaps one day I will write something that would be found by someone after I am long gone, like the Desiderata, something that would touch hearts and minds. That would be enough for me. Lately I have become very aware that time is short. She continued "Joel, I pray your vision will be fulfilled and that maybe the Lord will allow me to visit you both before he calls me home. Meanwhile I will continue scribbling away, it keeps me out of mischief.
Betty suggested "Its a big change for anyone and someone has to keep the group growing here. I am not sure we, (she guestered towards Lee who by this time was so comfortable in the big armchair he appeared to be dozing) are not too old for such an upheaval, but both Bethany and I are happy catering and I would enjoy creating a kitchen garden. Lee is very practical and can handle most repairs, mechanics and maintenance, and of course he would quote from Phillippians 4.13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. And 2 Corinthians 12 - 9 - My Grace is sufficient for thee. Nevertheless we always await the Lord's prompting.
The group departed for their respective homes. Jean remarked "that was such a beautiful hymn, did you feel that, it was amazing, you know I will really miss you when you leave we might just follow you" Bethany smiled and said "You will always be welcome, forever brothers and sisters in Yeshua.
As one by one the church buildings fell into hands of property speculators, some converted into luxury apartments, others climbing centres, kitchen outfitters or a desirable detached residence, the cells were slowly multiplying across the land. Faithful sons and daughters of a Holy God.
The real bride of Christ is growing more beautiful with each passing day, pure and spotless she waits ready to receive her King.
As one by one the church buildings fell into hands of property speculators, some converted into luxury apartments, others climbing centres, kitchen outfitters or a desirable detached residence, the cells were slowly multiplying across the land. Faithful sons and daughters of a Holy God.
The real bride of Christ is growing more beautiful with each passing day, pure and spotless she waits ready to receive her King.
Baruch ha ba b'shem Adonai
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
SHALOM
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