Cross Roads by William Paul Young

     Have you read The Shack by William Paul Young?  I read it a few years ago and loved it!  It gave me a totally new perspective on God's love and how great and magnificent He is.  It was, what I consider to be, a 'mind expanding' book.  I know that scares some people.  After reading the book, I read many reviews from those who call themselves Christians saying the doctrine in the book was not correct, etc. etc. and that it was doing damage to Christianity.  I am amazed at how those with little insight try to keep others from having any!
    Jesus said in Mark 9:40  ^"For he who is not against us is on our side."
    Obviously Paul Young is not against Him.  His writing of The Shack has encouraged more people to understand the love God has for us than most anything I've read!  And it has caused many to want to know this God of love!
    Anyway, I said all that to tell you I have just finished Mr. Young's new novel, Cross Roads, which I also loved!  It was a touching, thought-provoking, creative interpretation of the complexity of God's handiwork and His redemptive power!  And it also caused me to want to know this God who loves us so better than I do, and to worship Him more!
    I highly recommend it to those of you who enjoy seeing the workings of God  from a mind-expanding perspective.  I believe it will, also, cause you to love Him more.

Thank you for praying

     Mom came home from the hospital yesterday.  She says she's feeling fine.  The doctors were able to regulate the rate at which her heart is beating with medication.  They said the atrial lead is where it is supposed to be and doing what it should be doing, so she won't need surgery.  She looks much more rested.  I would assume when part of your heart is beating over 160 beats per minute it would tire you!  Nevertheless, she managed to cook Christmas dinner for over 20 people!  She is remarkable, isn't she?
    Thank you so much for praying with us!

Stories from Leo Buscaglia

   These heart-warming stories were sent to me in an email recently. I had read them before but was touched again by the wisdom of these little children. 

       Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge.  The purpose of the Contest was to find the most caring child.

The winner's were:

1. A four-year-old child, whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman, who had recently lost his wife.

       Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old Gentleman's' yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.

        When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy just said,

        'Nothing, I just helped him cry.'

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2. Teacher Debbie Moon's first graders were discussing a picture of a family. One little boy in the picture had a different hair color than the other members.  One of her students suggested that he was adopted.

      A little girl said, 'I know all about Adoption, I was adopted.'

      'What does it mean to be adopted?', asked another child.

      'It means', said the girl, 'that you grew in your mommy's heart instead of her tummy!'

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3. On my way home one day, I stopped to watch a Little League baseball game that was being played in a park near my home. As I sat down behind the bench on the first- base line, I asked one of the boys what the score was

      'We're behind 14 to nothing,' he answered With a smile.

      'Really,' I said. 'I have to say you don't look very discouraged.'

      'Discouraged?', the boy asked with a Puzzled look on his face.

      'Why should we be discouraged? We haven't been up to bat yet.'

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4. Whenever I'm disappointed with my spot in life, I stop and think about little Jamie Scott.  Jamie was trying out for a part in the school play.

     His mother told me that he'd set his heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen.   On the day the parts were awarded, I went with her to collect him after school.

      Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement. 'Guess what, Mom,' he shouted, and then said those words that will remain a lesson to me.

      'I've been chosen to clap and cheer.'

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5. An eye witness account from New York City, on a cold day in December, some years ago:

       A little boy,about 10-years-old, was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold.

       A lady approached the young boy and said, 'My, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!'

       'I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,' was the boy's reply.

       The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her.  She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with the towel.

       By this time, the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes.  She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him. She patted him on the head and said, 'No doubt, you will be more comfortable now.'

       As she turned to go, the astonished kid caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face, with tears in his eyes, asked her:  "Are you God's wife?'

We awoke to an even more beautiful snow than the one on Wed.

      It is impossible to capture the beauty of the snow we had last night, but I have tried.  Our woods looks absolutely amazingly beautiful!  It is a feast for the eyes!
      I love it in every season!  Each one has its own special beauty--and every year I try to take photographs so that I won't forget.  But this snow has to be one of the most beautiful we've had since we've lived here.

Joseph Prince Devotional: Use Your Double Portion Of Speaking Power

Use Your Double Portion Of Speaking Power  by Joseph Prince

1 Peter 2:9
9But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people...

God calls us “a royal priesthood”. This means that we are kings as well as priests under the king-priesthood of Jesus Christ. This has never happened before in the history of God’s people. In the Old Testament, kings and priests were two distinct groups of people. You were either a king or priest, but not both at the same time.

Today, because we are in Christ, we are king-priests — a royal priesthood. This means that we have a double portion of speaking power because as kings, “Where the word of a king is, there is power” (Ecclesiastes 8:4), and as priests, “by their word every controversy and every assault shall be settled”. (Deuteronomy 21:5)

So if you are a Christian businessman, you will have an edge over worldly businessmen. What you say about your business deals will come to pass. And if you are falsely accused, know that by your very word, every controversy and every assault will be settled!

And as a king-priest parent, when you bless your children, your words have the power to set in motion supernatural events which will bring them into God’s prosperous abundance and superabounding grace. And there will be such a courage and resilience about them that it will empower them to win the fights of life!

When the devil comes to you and says that you will die young because your father and grandfather died young, or that you will never be successful because you are not well-educated, you must remember that the devil is neither a king nor a priest. There is no power in his words. But there is power in yours because you are a king-priest in Christ!

So instead of agreeing with him, believe and declare, “I will not die young. With long life He will satisfy me and show me His salvation!” Say, “The Lord will make my way prosperous and give me good success!” Use your double portion of speaking power and see these blessings come to pass!

Please Pray For My Mom

      I spent the day yesterday in the hospital emergency room with my Mom.  She has a pacemaker which has shocked her 3 times in the last week.  What a scary thing--to have survived what feels like a mule kicking you in the chest, but not knowing when it is going to happen again!
      The medical people at the hospital discovered the bottom part of her heart is going way too fast and the top is not keeping up.  This is confusing the pacemaker which is trying to regulate it.  If it can't set the pace, it shocks the heart trying to get it in rhythm.  They say it is not life threatening, which was a relief to all of us, but it must be fixed or else she will continue to be shocked.
    The doctor admitted her to the hospital so that he could administer a drug that will slow her heart down.  It is expected that as the heart is slowed, the pacemaker can stimulate the top part to keep up with the bottom.   If this doesn't work, they believe the atrial lead on the pacemaker is not working properly.  If that is the problem, she will need surgery to replace it.  We are praying the heart will get back into rhythm without surgery.  We would appreciate your prayers, too.
    The doctor said he will keep her in the hospital till at least tomorrow, possibly Sunday.  She wasn't excited about that prospect, but she isn't enjoying the shocks either.  :o)
    Thanks for your prayers.
    

"Come and See" by Francis Frangipane

What a timely word from Francis Frangipane!  As we are preparing to begin another new year when many of us set New Year's resolutions and goals, wouldn't it be wonderful to have as our major goal this year--to discover where Jesus lives. "Come and See" by Francis Frangipane        John and Andrew began their spiritual commitment to God's will as disciples of John the Baptist. In fact, they had actually been standing near the prophet when Jesus walked by. As the Baptizer saw Jesus, he cried out, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" and from that moment the two disciples began to follow Jesus (John 1:35-37).       This was an insightful account. It is John's handwritten testimony of how he came to the Son of God. Yet, John has deeper truths to reveal beyond this historic portrayal. He is also going to reveal what we should each ultimately seek when we come to Christ.        Let's pick up the narrative. The two disciples, having heard and believed John's messianic proclamation about Jesus, are now walking, perhaps hurriedly, to catch up to Jesus. They are within conversation range. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest Thou? He saith unto them, Come and see.   --John 1:38-39 KJV        There are many reasons one comes to Christ. We may seek Him for health issues or to possess the keys to prosperity. Perhaps we need deliverance or are burdened with the cares of a loved one. Yet, as the Lord asked John and Andrew, so He asks each of us: What are you seeking in life? What goals compel us? When we approach the final season of our lives, will the things we have achieved be transferable into eternal accounts? Or will we have spent our time and energies on that which is void of true life?        Jesus asks, "What are you seeking?" It is a very important question. The Lord desires that we take inventory of our passions and objectives, and then chart our course toward heavenly values. You see, many say they love Jesus. What they mean is that, in time, they hope to get around to loving Jesus. Right now, however, they barely know Him and almost never spend time seeking Him.         The proof that we love Him is that we keep His commandments (John 14:15). What must He think when so many who say they love Him are, in fact, not loving Him but actually having an affair with this world? May God have mercy.        Yet, this is not your situation. In spite of your flaws and weaknesses, you sincerely desire to possess more of God. You have emerged from your past trials, determined to walk closer to the Lord. Indeed, Christ sees this holy desire and, to Him, it is the most precious part of you.        The Lord's heart is also moved toward those who follow Him, though they may walk limping. To those wounded by injustice or the effects of sin, the Lord's promise remains faithful: "A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish." Surely, He will bring to victory the justice due you (Isa. 42:3; Matt. 12:20).         Like John and Andrew, we, too, "behold the Lamb of God." Just as He asked them, so He asks us, "What are you seeking?" The Dwelling Place of Christ        In response to Jesus' probing question, the disciples' answer may seem strange. For they did not ask Him for greater power or one of His many spiritual gifts. Instead, they asked Jesus something more personal, and intimate: "Where dwellest Thou?"        I'd like us to consider the poignancy of their answer. They wanted to know where Jesus lived. There are times when a question transcends the simple boundaries of intellectual curiosity and actually reveals one's quest in life. Such is now the case: they are seeking to live with Jesus. They are searching for the dwelling place of God.        Our Father wants us to ask for spiritual gifts and special blessings of health and financial prosperity. To desire these things is not wrong; it is just not enough. Inside the heart of a God-seeker is a quest for more. We are in search of the "dwelling places" of God. In truth, our hearts have been divinely programmed. There are within us "the highways to Zion" (Ps. 84).         Our destination is nothing less than oneness with Christ. All fruitfulness comes from living in spiritual union with Jesus. In contrast, whatever we offer as service to God that is not the result of our union with Christ, that labor is in vain; it is a weak comfort. For apart from Him, we can do nothing.       John tells us in his first epistle that those who say they abide in Him ought to walk "in the same manner as He walked" (1 John 2:6). Abiding in Jesus leads to walking like Jesus.          Beloved, there is yet much more to learn and discover concerning our Lord! We must beware of spiritual complacency. Recall the prayer of Moses: At the end of his life - after being used by God to confront and defeat the gods of Egypt, after dwelling in the Lord's glory and beholding miracle after miracle for forty years - Moses prayed, "You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand" (Deut. 3:24).       You have begun? No matter how much we attain, no matter what revelations of God's glory are ours, we have only begun to see His glory.        The disciples answered astutely, "Rabbi, where dwellest Thou?" May this become our prayer as well: Where do You live, O Son of God? Where is Your dwelling place? To all who feel similarly, Christ says to us what He promised them: "Come and see."        Dear Master, I turn to You now. You are my life's greatest goal. I desire to live with You, to abide in the wonder of a life united with You.

Our First Snow This Winter

      We awoke to a beautiful wintery scene this morning--our first snow of the season!  Since we live in the woods, our trees are sheltered enough from the wind that the snow stays on them much longer than on those that are out in the open.  

     Country Guy came back from feeding the animals to see if I would like to take a Mule ride through the winter wonderland before the snow melts.  It isn't expected to last long, so I took my camera along to share the photos with you.  

      The first photo was taken as we traveled down our lane; the other in my courtyard garden. 

 

My search for a significant Christmas

     Did you have a blessed Christmas?  We did!  By anyone's standards we are so blessed!  We enjoyed gathering with family, eating lots of food, and exchanging gifts.
      But I am always disappointed when Christmas is over.  I always feel a little sad and unfulfilled.  I spend several weeks in preparation, trying to live up to expectations (mine & others) of what Christmas should look like, not wanting to disappoint anyone.  I keep trying to hurry up and get the preparations over--the decorations up, the gifts bought, the baking done, the meals planned, etc. so that I can have more time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.  (I'm trying to learn to do this while I'm doing the expected things, but often get distracted).  I want to truly experience the significance of Jesus coming as a baby--the magnitude of the sacrifice He made--not just talk about it.  I want to treasure this time--instead of endure it.  I want to spend memorable time with my children and grandchildren making memories, having friends over for meaningful discussions, taking walks to enjoy the crisp night air and to reflect on that night when angels appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of a Savior.  I want to light the candles and turn on the Christmas music so that I can sit in stillness and wonder--or better yet--gather with friends to make beautiful Christmas music together and celebrate the joy!  I want to be sensitive to the hurting, to bring God's love to them with healing & encouragement instead of passing them by in my busyness.
      I have little glimpses of these throughout the season, but I am often so busy with the 'better' that I miss the 'best'.  (I believe my expectations may be a little high :o), but then how will I ever get better if I don't expect more?)
      It seems that much meaningful quality time with others has been replaced with eating & unwrapping gifts.   I believe changing the way we 'do Christmas' is the answer, but because we have done it this way for so many years, it has become a routine which we don't seem to know how to change.  (And then there are some who actually enjoy it this way and don't want it to change.)  The Christmas season has become one of too much activity and materialism--one in which I can't seem to stop myself enough from participating, so that I can slow down to let the incredible message of Christmas saturate my entire being.  But even as I'm putting so many expectations on myself,  I'm longing to figure out what is essential in all that I do, and to stop everything that hinders my experience of the meaning and significance in all that is associated with the celebration of the season.
      I haven't found the perfect balance yet in the 'doing' and the 'being'.  I'm not very hopeful that I will, but I'm planning to keep trying.
       Any suggestions?  If I start now, maybe next December will be even simpler and more meaningful.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!!

Merry Christmas!!

I pray your day is blessed!!

         Let us respond to Jesus--Immanuel--God With Us-- as the Magi did--passionately pursuing Him.  Dan Wilson writes about this pursuit in an article posted on The Elijah List today: 

The Ultimate Response to Immanuel by Dan Wilson

Silent night, holy night...

Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

        During the Christmas season our hearts are filled with wonder and delight as we sing songs celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus. The stable in Bethlehem was filled with joyful serenity. The tranquility of Heaven was brought to earth through the birth of the Prince of Peace.

       While bringing calm to those with Him in the physical realm, the powerful peace Jesus carried within was violently invading the supernatural realm. Awareness of baby Immanuel lying in a manger sent a shock wave through demonic forces in the second heavens. The kingdom of darkness was shaken to its core, never to fully recover.

      We read in Matthew 2 that King Herod and the Magi from the East learned that Jesus had been born in Bethlehem. Both were clearly aware of His deity, yet their responses to Him were far from the same. Though a king, Herod was merely a pawn in the kingdom of darkness that is built around the emotion of fear. Because he is afraid, satan is constantly leading his followers to steal, kill, and destroy. Herod's response to Father God's gift of perfect love was violence stemming from fear – an edict to kill all the boys in Bethlehem below the age of two.

      Passionately pursuing God, the Magi were led to Bethlehem by a star shining out glory from the Kingdom of Light. The center of this Kingdom is the perfect love of God, which destroys all fear. They responded to God's love by expressing love to Immanuel in every possible way.

      Both the Magi and King Herod were consciously aware of Jesus' divine nature. But the path to abundant life goes well beyond mere belief in the reality of God. James 2:19 reminds us that"Even the demons believe that – and shudder." The crucial moment in life is when we decide how to respond to Immanuel. As Jesus' disciples our response is based in love, not fear. In this season we are reminded to be like the Magi – demonstrating our love for God by honoring His Son. This causes great celebration in Heaven!

       Two thousand years ago wise men from the east experienced the joy of Christmas by allowing the Spirit of God to lead them to Jesus. As participants in the Kingdom of Light, they responded to God's love by showing their love for Him through obedience, worship and the giving of gifts. The Spirit purposefully led each of these responses. A vital message of Christmas is that we also would yield our hearts and lives to the blowing of God's Spirit-wind.

      May you be blessed throughout this season as you, like the Magi, respond in love to the glorious peace that is Immanuel.

Dr. Dan Wilson
Supernatural Marriage Ministries

O Holy Night - Josh Groban

      My all-time favorite Christmas song, sung by the most beautiful tenor voice in the world, about the most wonderful gift that's ever been given--Jesus!!
      How could it get any better than this!!

My Sheep Hear My Voice

    Do you ever hear God speaking, but are not sure what He is saying?  I had that experience this week and have been meditating on the meaning for several days.  On Wednesday Mom & I went shopping.  There were a couple of places I particularly wanted to go--both in the same outdoor shopping strip.  We went to the first, and then I was going to move my car closer to the second one, but when I started driving I went out of the mall parking lot before I realized what I was doing.  I drove on across the main road to a bank parking lot to turn around, but when I came back to cross the main road, I turned right instead.  I could not believe myself!  It appeared I was so distracted that I couldn't even keep my mind on what I was doing!  I made a U-turn and returned to the Mall parking lot.  Just as I parked, my brother-in-law drove in and parked in the same lane, directly across from us, and got out of his truck just as we did!  He was meeting my niece and her baby daughter to shop for his wife.  The main reason I wanted to go to that shop was to get a Christmas present for this very baby!  (Her mother helped me pick it out.)  If I hadn't been "distracted" I would not have arrived at the exact time to meet my brother-in-law and possibly wouldn't have known they were in the store!  I believe it was God co-ordinating my arrival.
     Then the next day, Country Guy was supposed to drop some letters off at our mail box at the end of our lane, but had forgotten to do so.  He was busy working on fence at the cattle farm and must have also been distracted.  About 1/2 hour before the mailman usually came I realized the letters were still lying on the counter, so I jumped in the car (our lane is about 2/3 mile long) to run the letters to the mailbox.  At exactly the time I arrived at the intersection of the lane to our house and the one to the horse barn, I met Country Guy who was driving the Mule, going to the horse barn to pick up something.  What are the chances of that?  And then when I arrived at the end of the lane, a huge gust of wind blew the mailbox over.  It is attached to a slab of concrete--and as far as I know--has never blown over since we've lived here--over 10 years!
     I've been thinking about what God is saying through these 'coincidences'.  It seems He is showing me that He will use all circumstances to get me where I need to be at the right time I need to be there.  I guess it is an extension of one of my favorite promises--He will use everything for our good, if we trust Him.
     But I believe there are several other lessons contained in these happenings, so I will continue to meditate on them.   One conclusion I've come to is that He is telling me to not take myself too seriously.  If I am surrendered to Him He can get me where I need to be at exactly the right time whether I'm aware that He is directing my path, or not.  I think He is also showing me that nothing can prevent that--not others' distraction or their neglect, not even nature (the wind).  He really IS a Great Big God who is able to make certain His sheep hear His voice--even when the language He uses is not one we're expecting!

Prophetic Word From Johnny Enlow

        This word was sent me by my new Swedish friend, Hillevi.  It is so hopeful, and expands my expectations of what God is about to do, exponentially.  I thought you would want to know about it.  You can also read it online here, or watch an interview with Johnny Enlow about it here.

Prophetic Word From Johnny Enlow Regarding This Next Season

Posted on August 29, 2012

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ROSH HASHANAH 2012: The Beginning of the Age of Restoration

I believe that this is the most important prophetic message I have ever given. It is a message that I burn with the hottest and can see the clearest. He, that has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying.

This mid-September begins, what I believe to be, the most significant period in Church history since the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter two. Furthermore, I believe I have been shown that the Holy Spirit will begin to pour out an unprecedented wine that will surpass the outpouring in Acts chapter two. This wine is not just for refreshing; not just for revival, not just for reformation of society- but in fact extends into an age of the restoration of all things. There will be all of the above (refreshing, revival, restoration..) and we must have a ‘wineskin’ ready to receive that level of wine.

In this word, I want to cover the specifics of this new day. It’s imperative that there is clarity as to our present narrative. If we don’t know the present story line, we will be in danger of trying to fulfill a wrong role. One’s role must always be consistent with the script that is playing out. I believe this to be the heart of the Lord for us at this time.

Three Stages: AWAKE 2008, ARISE 2012, SHINE 2015

I have been shown a prophetic sequence that began on Rosh Hashanah 2008, that will have it’s full manifestation in 2015. I have spoken of this multiple times and in my book “The 7 Mountain Mantle”. It is a pattern I have been observing for years and am still seeing the accuracy of the way it was shown to me.

2008 Rosh Hashanah: AWAKE- to the 7 Mountain Mandate.

This awakening of the last four years is not an awakening like those we have known in that past. It has not been an awakening of revival, or even of refreshing. Rather, it has been an awakening into an expanded perspective on the Kingdom of God and what “on Earth as it is in Heaven” truly looks like.

It is an awakening to the reality that our mission, is to first see a God “of all life” and then display that God in all of life. It is the understanding that we must re-image this full faceted God in every area of society- so that He reigns in government, media, education, arts, economy, family and religion.

There has been an amazing awakening into this expanded view of who God is. He is not just God the Redeemer (mountain of religion); but He is God the Governing One (mountain of government), God the Creative One (mountain of arts/entertainment), God who is Papa (mountain of family), God the Provider (mountain of economy), God the Blessed Communicator (mountain of media), and God as Wise Teacher (mountain of education). We can only re-image the aspects of Him that we see and so it is important that we see this God, as the God of all of life. He is the same God who is the “desire of the nations” as spoken of in Haggai chapter two.

This awakening period will continue, even as we step into the next prophetic stage- but the next stage will be upon us this Rosh Hashanah.

2012 Rosh Hashanah: ARISE- with the 7 Mountain Mandate

This unprecedented season begins now. My spirit has been longing and even exuberant for this day. I have known and shared that the awakening season was not going to be easy, but would in fact be as it was for Joseph in his years before being brought before Pharaoh. The testimony of many is that it has not been an easy time, and it is because God has been more interested in tearing down status quo than in keeping us comfortable. Status quo ‘wineskins‘ do not hold the ‘new wine’. Old mindsets do not allow for new perspectives. Gospel of salvation focus, does not allow for gospel of the kingdom focus. Revival focus does not allow for reformation focus.

The Body of Christ is going through a spiritual lobotomy, so that her re-wiring of the brain can receive the new power and presence that is coming. We would ‘waste‘ the new power on lesser goals if He did not rewire us. We would limit our advances to crusades and healing campaigns when He is after the nations.

Ultimately, the coming release of unprecedented Help is for those who understand His passion for the nations. I believe that it is the fulfillment of Malachi 4 that we begin to step into and there has never been a time like it before nor will there ever be a time like it.

The Age of Restoration: Malachi 4 It Begins Now!

Malachi 4:1 “ For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming will burn them up”, Says the Lord of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch.

4:2 But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; And you shall go out and leap like calves released from the stall. (NIV)

4:3 You shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do this,” says the Lord of hosts.

4:4 Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.

4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

4:6 And He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

The Next 100 Years

Before I get into the meat of this passage, I want to first bring to your attention a specific word and work that starts now and that will manifest for at least the next 100 years. I believe we have at least 3 generations to go before there is any interruption or follow up to this pattern. This is a very important understanding. Every generation has believed themselves to be the tribulation generation, and it has ultimately lead to a lot of short-sightedness in vision and projection. As a result, there has been very little sowing into the next generation and it has lead to a prevailing atmosphere of foreboding. This is generally how the Body of Christ has been operating. Essentially, every generation is looking for the beast, a one world government, and the tribulation instead of this day spoken of in Malachi 4. I did not believe until recently that we had this much more time. This revelation has been my personal ‘lobotomy’. It has allowed me to see generations yet ahead of us taking back that which was lost.

The Day has Come

Malachi 4: 1 – “For behold the day is coming”. This is my prophetic announcement for Rosh Hashanah 2012. That day is upon us. It is the last chapter of the Old Testament and it announces the age of restoration. This ‘day’ is going to be for several generations. The events that follow clearly signify that it can not take place in a natural day. We know this ‘day’ is a time period or also referred to as an “age”. It is day, because it is not night. We work, while it is ‘day’.

Burning Like an Oven

“Burning like an oven”- We are then told that this day is a hot, fiery day. It is not burning like a wild fire but as an oven. It is a controlled fire with a specific purpose. It is not a day of random heat and fire, but purposeful fire. Who is in trouble for this day of heat? The proud and those who do wickedly. It begins with the proud and those who do wicked that minister in God’s house. Judgement begins in the house of the Lord. God does not enjoy destroying anyone as all are His children. Even less for those who have prayed and invited Him into their lives. However, Christian leaders who manifest presumptuous pride and do wickedly will be the first targets. This is not about vague pride and wickedness, but the overt wickedness that has gone unchecked. These will be bad days to lead God’s people while living in adultery, being dishonest with money, fleecing the flock, or anything else that is decidedly wicked against His flock. This new thing is in God’s passion and His sons and daughters, His ministers become first in the line of fire if they get in the way. Ministers, this is a time to fear God. You will not get away with what you used to.

Neither Root nor Branch Shall be Left Them

The end of Malachi 4:1, gives us insight into the thoroughness of the coming ‘burn’. He is going after the roots and the branches of evil. The roots and branches of evil are at the top of the 7 mountains of society, this is a strategic burn. Branches represent the visible systems that don’t represent His correct image in society. Roots are the supportive demonic entities and lies that enable the distorted image of God. This is not going to happen instantly, but it will be an ever increasing assault and push back against darkness. Over the next 100 years you will not see the kingdom of God decrease even one day. From here foreword it is only increase.

To You Who Fear My Name- It is only Good!

Malachi 4:2 “ But to you who fear My name”. There is a quick and clear inference that is shone to us here. Those who fear His name ONLY have excitement before them. The word “fear” is the Hebrew word YARE that means reverence, honor and to stand in awe. It is not a “run away from” fear, but a “coming closer” fear. If you call yourself a Christian, your safety and joy is in your sincerity of heart. Insincerity and skepticism should be considered spiritual heart disease. Insincerity is the proof of the absence of real relationship. Skepticism is craftily worded defense of doubt and unbelief. It is both the root and a fruit of insincerity.

The Sun of Righteousness will ARISE with Healing in His Wings

What an awesome phrase! This reality is what becomes available to those who fear His name. Malachi 4:1 told us of this unprecedented heat. Malachi 4:2 lets us know who is sourcing it. He is the Sun of Righteousness. Furthermore, this is important to consider. The hot, burning day is not because there are random disasters and chaos all around the world. The heat is from the Lord who arises on our behalf. He arises so that we may arise. Isaiah 60:1 says Arise and Shine….with His Glory and Light. The Glory and Light shining so brightly is what burns up wickedness. For years, I have been speaking about Rosh Hashanah 2012 and the season of ARISE.It is now upon us. It is the Kairos time from heaven for this day to be upon us.

The word “righteousness” is the same word for “justice”- and in fact in the Spanish Bible it reads “ El Sol de justicia” which means “the Sun of Justice”. Justice is about wrong things being made right. It is about crooked paths being made straight. Justice is completely about Restoration, and this is the age which we have entered. God will restore His story line, His narrative, and then He will restore the beautiful punch line of His script. He will also do this for everyone whom fears His name. He is looking after the story line of everyone who fears His name. If you will serve Him in sincerity and not quit- your life story, it will carry a punch from heaven against darkness. He will make your personal story beautiful as you look after His story. He is all about the story. He is not just an efficient, “get er done” God. He loves story. He loves telling story, being story, restoring story.

Healing in His Wings: He is Sending Raphael

I believe the Lord has shown me that the archangel of the Mountain of Family called Raphael is being released with tens of millions of angels this Rosh Hashanah. This is very exciting news. His name means “God Heals” or “Healing is in God”. He is going to be a difference maker in the landscape of planet earth. I believe he carries the “spirit of Elijah” and that is what is so significant about him. Malachi 4:5 tell us that this Elijah anointing turns the hearts of fathers to children and the children to fathers. In essence, it is an anointing that heals family relationships. Scripture is clear here that we would need the Lord to send us help for our families. Malachi 4 is essentiality a Mountain of Family chapter that is the focal point for the present invasion of heaven. Everything that pertains to healing is a family mountain operation.

Scope of What Raphael and Angels will be Doing

It is important to know what the angels are coming to assist us with. They carry some great heavenly help that we must intentionally position ourselves for. Raphael’s name, along with those that are with him, describes that they will be all about healing. There will be a new anointing for physical healing’s, but the Lord will reserve some of the strongest anointing for those who understand the connection between societal healing, family healing and personal healing. A fractured society produces fractured families. Fractured families are primarily responsible for the sickness in society. It is imperative that we make the connection and seek healing at all three levels of society, family, and the individual.

Additionally, we need to have our three levels of healing. A sick spirit or a sick soul will release sickness into an individual and we can’t ignore these factors. Through His angelic army, the Holy Spirit will be releasing new counseling wisdom and new wisdom for healing soul and spirit issues. Ministries and individuals that are carrying a significant heavenly wisdom will begin to receive very practical help from these angelic forces in areas such as funding and distribution. There are some very real upgrades in revelation that are about to sweep in and will provide much healing for the spirits and souls of the masses.

A Cure for AIDS

These new angelic forces are also here to bring great breakthrough as it relates to illnesses and new cures. There is a cure for AIDS that is being made available for a son or daughter of God. God wants one of His acknowledged kids to receive this supernatural revelation. This wisdom behind this cure extends beyond healing for AIDS patients. It is in His heart to have one of His own become the agent of this blessing on earth. There is an attached story line of who this person is and how they asked God for this cure. It is designed to open the hearts of the homosexual community to the house of God where they have felt the most rejection. Many other medical insights and cures will be coming with these angels. In fact, there will not be any forthcoming illness or plague where God will not have already preemptively placed the cure for it in one of His own kids. Every fearful thing coming is only an opportunity for heaven to show up on earth.

Additionally, these new angels are great angels that will be assisting those attempting to heal families and marriages. There will be new insight, new provision, and new favor for those that are carrying these new answers from heaven. None of this coming help is to provide political leverage. The coming assistance is to condition the hearts of men not to implement political agenda. At some point, laws will represent that which is resident in the hearts. Furthermore, this Healing in His Wings outpouring is the way He reconditions hearts to better reflect His ways. That is the meaning of Malachi 4:4, which says “Remember the law of Moses” and it’s statutes as we connect it to Hebrews 8:10.

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my hearts in their mind and WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

Puritan versus Quaker influences

The Puritan versus Quaker is an important understanding for this next season as we have two contending influences. There are two remnants of Christian influence operating still in America even hundreds of years later. The Puritanical influence is willing for righteousness to come about through legal imposition. Quaker influence understands the need for hearts to be changed as the priority. Almost all the great lasting social changes in America came through Quaker inspiration, because it went after the heart of society first. They presented arguments on behalf of righteousness that compelled the masses. Quaker John Woolman who was considered to be the apostle of the antislavery movement in America spent 30 years traveling and speaking and writing directly to prick the conscience of America. He proclaimed that slavery was a darkness of the soul issue and not a political one. Eventually his influence over the hearts and minds lead to their being the Civil War . Much more could be said about this but it’s important to know that some of the fresh anointing for the Mountain of Family is going to come on some new voices and new pens that will prick the conscience of a nation with a new narrative on an old battlefield.

Not everything that has the word “Family” in it’s title represents the best of what God has. In some cases, it is a primary obstacle for real healing to come in. We have been scapegoating the wrong segments of society at times while forgetting that there is only one enemy and it is not a person or a people group. If we were to banish all homosexuals to a remote island, would our families really be better, and really be stronger? Just how does 2-4% of the population- who also want to be married, destroy marriage? Real help is coming through these new angelic forces, but it is not to strengthen most of our present battle lines but rather to help us find new battle lines where the enemy is actually the devil.

MARPE

Marpe is the Hebrew word used here for Healing, in Malachi 4:2. When you look up the word it gives four manifestations of this healing.

1)Healing of Disease
2)Refreshing of Mind and Body
3)Deliverance
4)Remedy

These are the areas where great, great help is about to be bestowed upon us and all who operate in any of these areas should position themselves and expect great help. The Arising army must first get healed before it can hold any ground as it rises into the other areas of society. Great songs of healing will also begin to come into and through the house of God which will melt hearts as never before. There will be at least one great angel that will be bringing new lyrics and music to assist with the mission of the “spirit of Elijah” that will begin to restore everything but the restoration begins in the family.

Leap Like Calves Released from the Stall

Malachi 4:2 Tells us that with this new help from Papa that we will “leap like calves released from the stall.” There is so much here also. First of all, we have been as it were, in a “stall”. When something is stalled it is not moving forward. Many have felt that they have been in a stall, but it is now time to ARISE and shine. Calves leap and frolic when they are free to go to the green pastures. They jump playfully as they anticipate being in their harvest fields. Many have been in their Joseph ‘stall’, but that season is coming to an end because the joyful arising season is upon us. Whether all that happens for us in 24 hours or not, we must position our hearts for that reality as that is what is upon us. The Sun of Righteousness is arising with healing in His wings and when He arises we arise.

You Shall Trample the Wicked

The rest of Malachi 4:3, tells us the level of victory we can expect. Romans 16:20 (NIV) says “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” The word ‘soon’ means quickly, and it will be a relatively quick work compared to the time and effort the enemy has put into it. In all this discussion, let’s remember that we have one enemy and we wrestle not against flesh and blood. We will crush Satan’s roots and Satan’s branches. He will be so pushed back in society that he will come to what seems like practical extinction before he does his last act of desperation. He will be knocked totally out of the second heaven were he wages direct war against the saints. This is yet generations before us, and even then it will not go well for him.

Ashes Under the Sole of Your Feet

This phrase is also very insightful and relevant. It means the enemy will ultimately be defeated everywhere that we show up. The Promised Land was always about wherever the soles of their feet touched. This remains the operating principle that we can attach to the 7 Mountain Mandate. Wherever we expect to see the enemy brought to ashes, we must first in a practical and real way, simply show up. If we want to see the enemy brought down in government, we must be involved in government. If we want the enemy brought down in media, we must show up in media. If we want the enemy brought down in arts, we must show up in arts. The walls of Jericho come down only when we show up at the walls with a dispossessing resolve. This phrase of “ashes under the soles of your feet” tells us that as we walk with resolve, it creates the fire that tramples the enemy.

Before the Coming of the Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord

Malachi 4:5 appears to give us the timing of this unprecedented age of restoration. He says, “I will send Elijah the prophet before the great and dreadful day of the Lord”. I think there is enormous significance in the word BEFORE. In Hebrew it is the word PANIYM, which is most readily connected with the face of God. In Exodus chapter 33 when the scriptures speak of the Lord speaking “face to face” with Moses, it is PANIYM to PANIYM. In Exodus 33:20, where He says Moses you can’t see “my face” it is the same PANIYM word. This word can also mean “presence”, and “front of” as it refers to the frontside. So what does this all mean? That rather than saying all these things will occur chronologically BEFORE the day of the Lord, that the “spirit of Elijah” will in fact be the face of God shone at the onset of this great and dreadful. In other words, this is how you know that day has started. So why is it great AND dreadful?

Magnus et Horribilis

I love the Latin Vulgate translation for these Hebrew words. Great is MAGNUS and terrible is HORRIBILIS. So it really is saying that it is going to be the best of times and also the worst of times. But what is the narrative here? It is the best of times for those fear His name, and it will be the worst of times for those who don’t fear His name. This reality is the only reality that makes sense. When the kingdom of God experiences MAGNUS, then the kingdom of darkness must be experiencing HORRIBILIS.

Conclusion:

At the beginning of 2012 I gave a word for that year that I still believe to be relevant. I still believe it relevant for it to be connected to this word for Rosh Hashanah 2012. I spoke that 2012 is the year where the Promise Maker delights Himself in beginning to show Himself as the Promise Keeper. This actually speaks to the season of arising we are just now entering as we leave the ‘stall’.

I also spoke of the impact of the ‘lionesses’, and how they will affect everything and immediately affect the upcoming election. This too is totally connected to the angelic release for this season. The female conscience of this nation has been ‘stalled’ and that which is being released is going to ignite the conscience, heart, soul and the voice of women. The Holy Spirit will pour out something never before poured out and it’s initial central target is the heart and soul of women. In that awakening will be seen a greater representation of the heart of God. Women of resolve will arise and they will be as roaring lionesses bringing order into the house. This won’t come through nagging or manipulation, but through sheer anointing. They will carry His protective heart for the ‘pride’ which is another word for the community of lions. The social fabric of society is presently in fracture and disarray, because the enemy has led an intense campaign to devastate women. The last several years has been particularly difficult for women, but the Sun of Righteousness is arising and a great roaring is about to be felt throughout this nation and then into the nations.

Israel

It is obviously impossible to speak prophetically of the future without speaking of Israel. For more on that, refer to my word for the year which covers that better. There is presently talk of war with Iran as it is normal that there is ongoing uncertainty for the nation. There is great connection between what is presently being released, and the advances of the kingdom of God as it relates to Israel. As the “spirit of Elijah” continues to brand into our hearts the ways and beauty of who God is. It will greatly affect those who originally received the covenants. Our often puritanical paradigm, with its’ limited scope of who God and Jesus are, has not been all that endearing to the majority of Jews. One of the ways we will know we are manifesting a true gospel is when we see the hearts of those looking for their Messiah turned to their Messiah in us. The “spirit of Elijah” causes the hearts of fathers to be turned to sons and of sons to their fathers. One of the manifestations of this will be the love and reconciliation between Jews and Christians. The father’s hearts (Jews) will be turned to the son (Christians) and vice versa. This has already been taking place, but it will go to a whole other level. The root and branches that Paul talked about in Romans 11, will be reconciled into one new man. This will be a progressive work that will never cease. The true church will never turn on Israel and will ever be aware of it’s central roll in God’s big story.

What About Plagues, Earthquakes, Storms, War and Economic Collapses?

You may note the absence of any such description though I have written many pages of prophetic insight for this time. Until the end, there will always be plagues, earthquakes, storms, wars and economic challenges. They are never intended to be a central story for those who are kingdom advancers. Every crisis, disaster or chaotic situation will always be the greatest opportunity for kingdom advancement. Every crisis that will ever come upon planet earth will have a pre-imbedded solution already placed there by our God in His rising sons and daughters. We will so understand this that it will be our custom to run to disasters and crisis and we will watch God do great things. I love what Kat Kerr said as she saw into the future- saying there will be a time where someone cremated would be raised from the dead. A time where a child of God comes into an earthquake devastated city and restores the city to it’s previous soundness, bringing healing to the literal crack in the ground and raising back all those that were killed or injured. What a time we are headed for! We won’t always just come into a place of devastation and tell them it’s because they displeased God and this is His judgment. We will finally understand that the kindness of God leads to repentance.

On Prophets

There is a whole new breed of prophets that God is raising up for this time. This new breed are prophets of hope and of a future. A prophetic friend of mine saw in vision the Body of Christ as an Auschwitz concentration camp reality. The church was being fed so poorly on the knowledge of God, that they were starving and in survival mode. There was no mission other than survival, and the ‘guards’ were feeding starvation rations. It was unclean, with limited food. There was only hope in dying or being rescued (i.e. the rapture). This of course is an indictment on church as we know it. Our pastors and our prophets share in the guilt of this reality. They are just feeding with what they were fed with, but that must change.

Even today, many of those among us known as ‘prophets’ are doing much more to scare the Bride of Christ than to strengthen her and give her hope. Because of this reality, one of the most intimidated segments of the church that I see are the ones that should be the most advanced – those that have embraced modern day prophets and the power of the Holy Spirit. This is changing and will begin to change dramatically. God’s people are about to burst from the ‘stall’ and they will then only follow voices of hope. Hope not based on “wishful thinking”, but hope based on having seen the season of hope that we are in. Hope based on understanding the times we are in and what we should be doing. Hope based on a revelation of our side, our narrative, and our immediate future. Hope based on a healed and expanded perspective of who God is. What we think about God is the most important thing about us. It is time for the chains of despair to fall off. It is time to stop eating the slop of “when is the second shoe going to hit ”. It’s time to extend our mission beyond the ‘barbed wire’ of church buildings and actually be the church in society. The good news is He knows we need help and He is about to pour out His new. You have been weary walking with the footmen, but you are about to run with the horses.

Johnny Enlow- A Voice of Hope
September 2012