“Aslan is On the Move!”

 

There is a famous quote from one of my most favourite stories. It’s a classic really. “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” is an amazing story with so many truths and parallels about our walks with Jesus and what He did for us all. Perhaps you read the title of this blog with this book in mind. It’s a quote from this most beloved story, and I find it most appropriate for these present days. “Aslan is on the move!” Jesus is beginning to work, stirring something up, something different and wonderful.

Isaiah 45:21-25

For there is no other God but me, a righteous God and Saviour, There is none but me.

Let all the world look to me for salvation!

For I am God there is no other.

O have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word:

every knee will bend to me,

and every tongue will confess allegiance to me .

The people will declare,

“The Lord is the source of all my righteousness and strength.”

And all who were angry with him will come to Him and be ashamed.

In the Lord all the generations of Israel will be justified, and in Him they will boast.

What an amazing promise we can hold on too. This is God saying this, Himself! He is God and there is no other! He is righteous and He is my saviour. We look to Him for salvation!

We pray for our loved ones that they may come to accept God’s gift of salvation. We pray fervently and persistently and faithfully.

This month, the major focus at my church is “The Lost:” those who don’t know who Jesus is or just can’t seem to accept what He did for them. It is sad, really. It’s Disappointing  to tell someone an hilarious joke only to have them just stare back at you like it was the most ridiculous thing you have ever said, even though you know it just changed your life having heard it.

Yes this may seem pretty extreme but it’s true! Jesus changed my life! why am I holding this wonderful news back from people? Why am I not shouting it loud for all to hear? I know that when I have an awesome secret that I am told not to share, it takes all my strength to hold it in. Yet this news is no secret. I have been given permission, and even commanded, to share it with all i know and then some. So why do I hold it back? Why, when I know that this secret, this huge news of mine WILL save lives?

Jesus break my heart for what breaks yours, everything I am for your kingdom’s cause! Jesus break my heart for what breaks yours! break my heart! break my heart! break my heart! I want to have that compassion you have for people, I want to see people for how you see them…lost and broken…but with out hope! You are there hope, Jesus, but how should they ever know this if no one tells them the simple truth?

Jesus, I pray right now for the people on my heart. For my friends and there families, that they may not live in darkness any longer. I pray for boldness and courage over the church of Langley, that we all may have greater faith for the unsaved. I pray for the city of Langley, that eyes may be opened and that You may begin to reveal yourself through us. Give us the strength we need to withstand the temptations to “conform to the world” let us be set apart, salt and light, to our city. Let us be carriers of your Kingdom, that in all we may do that we would seek your Kingdom first. Don’t let us rest until our work is done. Take away any fear that may be holding us back from saying what needs to be said. Replace it with power, with love and with a sound mind. Thank you, Jesus for your grace and love that you so unconditionally offer us. We want to see lives changed!

Your will be done today, on earth as it is in Heaven….

Amen

The Promise of Laughter - Part 1

She laughed uncontrollably. It was a deep refreshing laugh. There had been too many months of tears that to show this particular emotion felt foreign to her. Now, hearing these strangers speaking with her husband, she just couldn’t help herself. How could they expect her to believe such news? After so many years of disappointment, she had just about given up all hope. Should she believe them? Should she convince her husband that they should try again? Did he even believe this news? Maybe these men were sent by Yahweh. If so, maybe this was finally the fulfillment of that promise they were waiting for.
Her eyes drifted away from the mysterious meeting. She watched as their young boy so willingly helped out the shepherds and servants with the endless work needing to be done. They had believed Ishmael to be that promised son of her husband, Abe. Maybe he wasn’t. Maybe God had other plans. Though if this boy wasn’t to be her husband’s descendent, just what was his purpose?
She chuckled, this time out loud, as she re focused her attention on her husband and the three strangers who were explaining the news for the fifth time. It was comforting to know that he was having trouble understanding this news just as much as she. After all, he wasn’t getting any younger. Most of their friends were going on great grandchildren by now. Was this only disappointment threatening to settle over their home once again? If that was the case she just couldn’t condone it. She couldn’t let that happen once more.
“Sarah?”
Strangely, she thought she had heard someone calling for her. Though there was no one around but her husband and his guests, surely they didn’t need to speak with her.
“Sarah, could you please come over here?”
Surprised Sarah grudgingly brushed herself off making herself look presentable for their guests. Curious she was, very curious as to why they would ask to see her. She had enough to do anyways.
“Ahhh here she comes,” Her husband teased, “Gentlemen, this is Sarah.”
Without giving the men a second glance, Sarah moved ever so close to her husband. She didn’t appreciate being gawked at like she was sure they were all doing.
“You laughed?| the first man asked.
“Yes, I did. Is that so wrong?”
“Sarah…” Her husband sounded agitated.
“Do you find us of humor?” The second man asked, ignoring her husband’s comment.
“Well…yes, no, oh I don’t know. You just caught me off guard. Wasn’t expecting this is all. I mean--surely I am too old to bear children!”
“Is anything too hard for the Lord, Sarah?” The third man challenged. We will be returning in a year. At the appointed time, you, Sarah, will indeed have a son.”
She stared at the men, astonished at the audacity they had to invade one’s home and speak their minds as if they ran the place and not her husband.
“Abe, please, I think we have a few things to talk over, may I have a word with you?”
“Sure, just as soon as these men are on their way.”
“We really should be heading out now anyways, we have already stayed way over the time we planned to. Congratulations you two. We’ll see you in a year.”
Sarah waited patiently as the men promptly got up and proceeded to saddle their horses. After brief goodbye’s they were on their way.
“Abe?” He was awfully quiet for a man whom was just told he would indeed have his first son at such a mature age.
“Hmmm?”
“Well, what do you think of all this?”
“Sarah, remember, Yahweh never lies, his promises are yes and amen. He did indeed promise us a son.”
“Yes, but…what about Ishmael?”
“What about him? Maybe he just isn’t who we thought he would be.”
“Abe, do you honestly think these men are from God?”
“I don’t know, is there any proof that they are not? Maybe we should wait it out, we’ll try one more time and if nothing happens then we will have our answer.”
She watched as her husband stalked off in the direction of the fields. “Probably to check on the shepherds” She decided. She remained silent for a few moments. She had a good many things to ponder about. If she was to have a son after all, what would become of her husband’s eldest? He would most surely get nothing then as illegitimate as he would be.
Then there was the possibility that she still could conceive, despite her age. I mean technically, it was still physically possible. If God could flood the earth with one rainstorm, Surely Yahweh, creator of Heaven and Earth, knew what he was doing. Those things seemed so impossible. Yahweh could surely do the impossible.
But the possibility of bringing disappointment under their roof again still flooded her heart with heavy feelings of resentment.

TO BE CONTINUED...