Warfare Angel

I was half asleep, or half awake in a rather dreamy place some where between earth and heaven. My husband slept peacefully next to me. I tend to sleep on my left side facing the wall. I'm not sure why, but it might have to do with some medical TV show that I watched a long time ago...

However, on this particular night I had fallen asleep on my right side facing my amazing husband. The world was different in that moment. I became more aware of the night in my waking. I turned over slowly to sleep on the proper left side, but was struck by an amazing vision:

The angel was standing on my favorite pink rug next to my bed. This is the rug where I often spend time in prayer. The angel loomed over us with a flaming sword drawn. This has happened before. He held the sword in his left hand and and it seemed to pierce into the ceiling. It never crossed my mind as to whether my neighbors upstairs could see the top of the sword piercing through their floor. I dare not ask whether they were awake or asleep since it was about 4 a.m., and the angel had quite a wingspan that expanded widely over the bed and up far above the sword. Honestly, I am unsure how they fit into our apartment!

My heart began to question the necessity of the angelic being and inquire into its duty. The Lord reminded me that I had asked Him for protection the day before.

Did you know that your spirit never sleeps? It communes, meditates, and sings with God in the night hours and even all through the day (Psalm 119). Truly, if my soul had not been knitted to my body it might float back up to heaven and never rest until it found the center of the heart of God! For He created me from a tiny piece of His heart. How we are curiously and wonderfully made (Psalm 139)!

My heart leapt ahead of me and began to ask the very large and terrifying being questions before my brain could catch up and tell myself to hush! There was a knowing that came. I heard the angelic being respond and was fully aware that it had been sent from the Lord to protect us as we slept. His face was very intensely serious and I felt that I should not argue with him or within myself. The angel with long flowing brownish gold hair, wore a long white tunic with a gold braided belt around his waist. He wore gold sandals and the glory of the Lord was all over the room!

I now rest in His presence at night. I am filled with God's glory! I am not afraid of the terror by night or the arrow that  may fall, or any sickness. God is my stronghold, my refuge, my hope, my strength! He cares enough to command His angels to watch over me and my family, just as He promised us in His Word. 

I should try to sketch this amazing being. One day, I suppose, I will do it. Did you know that Jesus never travels alone? He is surrounded by God's holy angels, it is the manifested glory of God all around Him! (2 Thessalonians 1:7). Until then, my eyes are set towards heaven on the one whom my soul loves: Jesus my Beloved King. I encourage you to read Psalm 91.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty...

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge...

He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 

they will lift you up in their hands, 

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone...

Psalm 91:1, 4, 11 NIV

Jason Upton is one of my most favorite prophetic singers and pentecostal mystics. My husband and I often play his music all night as a way of keeping our home filled with the presence of God as we sleep! Here he is performing live his song "Trusting the Angels".  He gives the back story for the song first. I pray that God speaks to you and delivers you of terror and fear as you read here and listen to this song, in Jesus' name, Amen.

BLOG: readers may now follow me on Instagram at: "achristianmystic"! Be blessed.

Beloved

Note: I am taking a class at Fuller Theological Seminary called SP500, Spiritual Traditions and Practices. I will be posting some of my journal entries for this class here (which are not much different from my previous posts). We are practicing different models of contemplative prayer.

Our class went on a six hour silent retreat and I had a powerful encounter with the Lord and was inspired to write and publish this poem about Him.

Beloved

I will place my head against your head,

My shoulders next to yours

My hands will embrace you:

Butterfly kisses.

Let me remove the thorny crown

From your brow--

For it is I, who should have worn it.

Let me wipe the blood,

The sweat, and

The tears from your eyes.

Oh! How I should have worn the dirt

On your garments!

How I should have been pierced!

Not you, my Lord!

Let me pour healing balm in your wounds, my Lord

Truly, I am captured by

A single scar on your shoulder--

I wash it with my tears…

But they are never enough

“For your sins, my Beloved,”

I hear you say.

Ah! My Lord!

You have set me as a seal upon your arm!

Forgive…me…

I am unworthy!

I am unworthy!

How I am unworthy!

I weep.

Yet your blood cleanses

And electrifies me!

My heart is overcome!

I am undone in your arms, my Lord.

Baptize my soul in your glory!

Capture my whole life in your hands…

Oh, why did they pierce your hands,

your feet,

your side?

I will wash your feet, my Lord.

I will kiss them and pour out my tears like a salve.

Let me pour all of myself onto you my Lord!

Like a fine pink wine

It is all I have to give, my broken life…

For I desire your intimacy

With one glance of your eyes

I am captured into glory!

I am inebriated by you, my Lord!

Your holy presence overcomes me!

Intoxicate my body

Wash me with your love

Overflow

Into every part of me.

From the Bethel Loft Sessions 2012, Jeremy Riddle, "Draw Near"

BLOG readers may now also follow me on Instagram at "achristianmystic".

SP500 Journal Entries for Weeks One and Two

Note: I am taking a class at Fuller Theological Seminary called SP500, Spiritual Traditions and Practices. I will be posting some of my journal entries for this class here (which are not much different from my previous posts). We are practicing different models of contemplative prayer.

Week Two, Entry Three

Tuesday, January 14, 2014, 3-4 p.m.

I am listening to the CD Fling Wide by Misty Edwards, also “God is a Flame”. I am sitting at my desk enjoying the afternoon sun as it fills my living room.

My soul thirsts for more of God’s presence in my life.

My body hungers for more of His tangible presence to invade every part of my day and night.

Baptize me with Your LOVE

O, God, consume me

With Your holy refiners Fire!

For I have laid myself down once again

I am on Your holy altar.

Let all of Your Glory pass over and through me, God

Take me into the deepness of who You really are.

I am shrouded in Your holy wings,

Yet I long to see the One for whom my heart longs…

Come to me,  God

One touch and I will be healed

And I will pour myself out upon You

I will kiss Your holy wounds

I will embrace Your feet

Why did they hurt You that way?

Why did they beat You like that?

And they have now locked You out of Your own house

You have kept me O, God.

I am most grateful that You have put me

Here in the secret place.

I feel Your holy presence now

You are filling my home

With Your warmth and LOVE

My heart sings a new song

Your holy Fire will consume me!

Misty Edwards singing "God is a Flame"

~

Week Two, Entry Four

Thursday, January 16, 2014, 5:45 a.m. – 7 a.m.

I am sitting in bed listening to Misty Edwards and the 2012 Bethel Loft Sessions with Jeremy Riddle and Steffany Frizzell.

Thoughts

In normal circumstances, I choose to not talk much about how or when I fast as the LORD instructed us in Matthew 6, but my class requires me to fast. I chose to fast from Facebook, the news, Pinterest, and other social medias. I am also fasting from tasty and sugary foods. My current diet is not pleasant.

Kyrie Eleison!

Lord have mercy!

Kyrie Eleison!

I chose to pray this many times this week over myself and my husband and my family and even strangers I pass along the way.

Awake

Awake my soul, O, God

To LOVE You

To adore You

To be all that I can be for You

Enlarge my heart to LOVE You more, God!

Encounter me, O, God.

Rapture My Soul

Rapture my soul

That I might LOVE You more

Here

In this place

With all my heart

With all my soul

With all my mind

With all that I am…

From the Bethel Loft Sessions, Jeremy Riddle and the worship team, "Fall Afresh"

BLOG readers may now also follow me on Instagram at "achristianmystic".

SP500 Journal Entries for Weeks One and Two

Note: I am taking a class at Fuller Theological Seminary called SP500, Spiritual Traditions and Practices. I will be posting some of my journal entries for this class here (which are not much different from my previous posts). We are practicing different models of contemplative prayer.

Week One, Entry One

Thursday, January 9, 2014 7-8:30 p.m.

The song "You Know Me" sung by Steffany Frizzell is so deeply personal and beautiful. She sings as if she got ahold of my heart song to God. I am overcome with gratitude to my LORD in this moment! His LOVE is beyond description to me! The lyrics of this song resonate with my soul’s cry to God. It cries out in adoration. Songs keep coming to mind as I ponder Psalm 42. I find the songs on youtube and listen and meditate on how God can fill my longing.

I listen to “As the Deer” sung by Misty Edwards and several of her other songs. I am amazed at the nuances of God. He speaks to me so clearly when my heart is still and open before Him.

Revelation

I hear God say to me: “I want to talk about you and me.”

I am quiet before Him and listening. I hear my body. I realize how tired I have been. My heart asks: Why are you so tired o my soul?

Then He shows me: My body is throbbing with a dull pain. I did not realize the constant pain was making me tired. I had gotten used to living with the pain. My kidneys are struggling to filter and they hurt. I am suddenly sorrowful. I have not been good with myself. I was not listening. I must take more time to slow down and rest.

Vision

An angel takes me upwards into the second heaven. He carries me and the trail behind us is like a shooting star! I feel like I am on the most amazing vacation!

I hear the strains of Misty Edwards singing: ‘Here O, Lord, have I prepared a resting place…here, O, Lord, I’ll wait for You alone…’

God, as the song says, ‘come as close as You want. Consume this heart that longs to burn…how I ache for YOU, God! Holy God! Take my heart, purge it with flame and Truth! A holy heart is all I want that I may live with YOU.’

I am back in my bedroom now and I know what I need to do. I feel rested in my spirit. My body had time to catch up a bit.

Psalm 42:7-8 NIV

Deep calls out to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the LORD directs His love, at night His song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life.

Week One, Entry Two

Sunday, January 12, 2014, 1 hour

Burn in me O, God

With YOUR holy fire

Consume me!

I will be a living sacrifice

Remove all unholy distractions

Focus me…

On You, God.

Let me see all of Your GOODNESS

Your Glory, God!

Show me Your face

Let me gaze upon Your beauty!

I am lovesick

I am hungry

I am thirsty

For more of You!

Burn in me, O God!

I lay myself down for You

Fill me up

Overflow in me, God

Breathe on me

With Your Holy Spirit

Put Your holy Light in me

Consume me 

With Your LOVE!

Misty Edwards singing and leading worship "Soul Cry" excerpt


BLOG readers may now also follow me on Instagram at "achristianmystic".

I Want To Be God's LOVE!

"I want to be God's LOVE!" said Missionary Heidi Baker in a recent documentary about her life called Compelled By Love. She spoke with such intensity and LOVE. Her eyes glow consistently with the LOVE of God in her. The LOVE of God is contagious!

Every good and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].
James 1:17 Amplified

Holy God, fill me with the light of Your all consuming LOVE! Let the light of Your LOVE fill every part of my being that I may walk closer to You, God. That I may walk blamelessly before You. Let me be Your shining star for You to see and use for Your glory! 

I will minister to You and bring You the highest praise! For You alone are worthy! May every praise given me, be given wholly to YOU, God. For I am nothing without Your light and LOVE. I will sing songs of praise and rejoice in the light.

'...show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world...'
Philippians 2:15 Amplified

Holy Father of Lights, my soul longs for more of Your manifested presence, for Your glory around me in me, and through me. Let all of Your GOODNESS pass over me here in the secret place high above the mess of the enemy. Put me high up in the center of Your heart out of his reach. And I will rest there and wait on You, God.

Here, I will lay myself down for Your glory and You may create a resting place in my heart. Burn in me, God! Let Your Holy Spirit breathe into every hollow place in me and make me alive! I will rest my head on Your heart and listen to the rhythms of Your heartbeat flowing alongside mine. For we are one: I am Yours and You are mine.

Oh God, let Your holy Prince of Peace be a guard over my heart that I may never give it to another! Purge me in the flame. Though it may hurt, I know that it is best for me to be consumed by a single burning coal from Your Holy altar.

Take me deep into intimacy with You God! 
How wide, how vast, how great is Your LOVE!
Pour in me and overflow
Let me be Your LOVE, oh God!

Misty Edwards singing "Come As Close As You Want"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3The4AZ8oo

BLOG Readers may now follow me on Instagram! Just look for "achristianmystic" on Instagram! All the photos are inspired by the Holy Spirit! Be blessed!

Tired of "Just Doing Church"

With deep sadness I feel like God is tired of the way we have been "just doing church" every Sunday. I feel His heart on this. God is sad over us. We have been "just doing church" without His approval or input.

I was at church a few Sunday's ago and I saw Jesus walking with His hands clasped behind His back. He was wearing a white tunic and brown leather sandals. He looked like He was waiting for us to welcome Him back into His own house. I was startled because He was walking outside the church building behind the pastor who was preaching. 

I was so drawn to Him because He is my Lord and I want to be with Him every waking moment. I desire to be with my Lord when I see Him walking alone. I was taken in the Spirit towards Him. I caught up with His walking pace.

"My Lord," I asked Him, "Why are you walking outside the church?"

"I will go back in when my people invite me back in," He said with such love and peace.

I felt like inviting Him back in with us, but I knew that He would not come. Not yet. So I dared not to ask. I certainly did not want to go back inside without Him, but I had to. My heat was sad from that moment on and until now.

I have seen the faces of many church people on Sunday morning. I feel like people are bored with church and desperate for something refreshing and real. We long for deeper worship. We long to worship with all of our hearts, but do not know how because we rarely get the chance to really engage in worship and wait on His presence corporately.

So often at church we get interrupted by announcements and lengthy sermons over the offering buckets and pomp and circumstance surrounding the stage. All the worry over presentation as the people sit hungry and bored. While God walks outside uninterested in our shenaningans.

God is looking for lovers who will walk in intimacy with Him to serve in His house offering up prayer, worship and intercession day and night. He has no interest in our Sunday services. This is why I saw Him walking outside the church. We have kicked Him out of His own house with our agendas. Why do we have so many things to do on Sunday morning? Why do have to be this or that on Sunday? 

I want to be a laid down lover of God, unashamed. I feel that it is way past time to invite Jesus back into His own house. We need His holy presence. We need His Holy Spirt to comfort us and strengthen us.

'But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient, to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of GOD- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.' 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV

We need the Holy Spirit to come like a fire back into our churches on Sunday mornings! We need to put away our agendas and lists. We need imperfect worship from the heart rather than perfect worship without no meaning. 

'My soul yearns, even faints 
for the courts of the Lord
My heart and flesh cry out
for the living GOD.
Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself
where she may have her young-
a place near your altar,
LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising YOU!'
Psalm 84:2-4 NIV

Misty Edwards "See The Way"

Light of Heaven

Every good and every perfect gift (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shinning of] Whom there can be no variation [rising of setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].

James 1:17, Amplified Bible

Holy Father of Lights,

Touch my mind and heart once again 

With Your healing hand.

My body is tired of being sick and afflicted by this warfare.

Put Your fight in me, holy God!

Strengthen my arms for war

Make my fingers nimble and skillful

With the sword of Your Word!

Light my body up with Your glory, God.

Shimmer through every part of me, oh, holy One!

I desire to be a shinning one for You, holy Father.

Take me in Your hands

Wash over me with Your blood—

Cleanse me of me

That I may be full of You,

For I desire it.

Golden, how I am golden in Your hands.

Baptize me again with Your LOVE

Reroute my heart, God

Make every vein in me

To flow with Your liquid and furious LOVE.

Set an holy fire in my bones!

May the marrow and joints of my bones burn

With Your LOVE and Peace!

Oh holy Redeemer, restore my soul

Set my feet like hinds feet

Upon a solid Rock high

Above the wiles and snares of the enemy.

Hide me in Your sacred Cornerstone--

Place me in the secret place 

Above the foolishness of the enemy,

Away from the weariness of the world.

Breathe through every crevice of my being, holy God.

Fill me to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit

Swirl around me with Your heavenly colors of LIGHT!

Ravish my heart, oh God!

Make me fully alive again!

From The Bethel Loft Sessions 2012, "This is What You Do", Bethel worship team