The best kind of "Tea Party" around!

 

 

Yesterday I got invited to a very special "Tea Party", hosted by Ellie.  It was sort of an impromptu party when I watched the kids at the last minute so Gwen could attend a meeting.  



Zeke was also invited!  He was quite happy to attend.  Fortunately, Anna decided it was a great time to take a nap, so she skipped the festivities and slept peacefully in the playpen right next to me.   Just that morning Gwen posted a picture of Ellie and a tea party they were having!  I commented that I would like to be there.  So it was wonderful when Ellie proceeded to set up everything and ask me to attend!  That was simply the best 45 minutes I have spent in a long time.  Ellie and Zeke both talked about so many different things!  We had some wonderful conversation about food (based on the play food that was being served!) but there was also some interesting information shared!  Regarding the food, I found out that Ellie doesn't really like anything right now and Zeke likes everything!  (This is actually pretty true -  Ellie did finally say that she likes "ice cream, Frosties, donuts, and pizza."  And after a short pause she added "daddy's pancakes").  Then the conversation got serious.  Ellie shared several versions of some books she recently read.  She told me all about her recent vacation to Florida (she was surprised that I knew that the ocean was salty and tasted bad).  And then she revealed that she is nervous to go to school in a few weeks (she starts Kindergarten and will be riding a bus with Lia and going for the WHOLE day!) It was so wonderful to have this concentrated time with these two amazing kids!  I am very blessed. 

Isn't it true that when we sit down and eat with someone, we share more if there is food on the table?  I love that the Bible is full of stories that include food and meals.  And I especially love that Jesus gave us clear instructions to include food every time we gather together, during his instructions at the Last Supper.  I suppose it is no surprise then, that most churches have food at the majority of events held.  I can assure you that I have attended more than my share of "church suppers" which ALWAYS include a "hot dish" (this is just another word for a casserole that must be "Minnesotan") and jello in some form.  And I have at least 6 church cookbooks that I use often!  Yes, I appreciate all that food has added to my church experience. 

My home group always has food and I really believe that is one of the reasons we are so close.  We talk about so many different things over our plates of food.  By the time we sit down to do our Bible study and to pray together, we are already bonded together in the meal.  I am very grateful for this special group! 

I love that Jesus gave us lots of incentive to eat together.  And when Jesus is in the center of the eating, when you are spending time talking about things that are really important, when great discussions happen, it is simply the best. 

Now don't you just want to go and find something to eat and someone to be with?  Don't you want to plan a tea party for some friends, or relatives, or neighbors?  Well, I say, GO and DO THIS!     And be blessed!

Jesus, thank you for this special tea party with Ellie and Zeke.  Thank you for that very sweet and relaxing time just listening.  Holy Spirit, what a wonderful gift you have given us to draw us together over food.  Give us all a nudge to invite others to eat together!  Give us courage and boldness to ask and follow through with this and then give us wisdom and grace to really listen and share!  Thank you for this reminder that fellowship with food is so important.  Amen

More to the story..........

Starting off today's post with a correction!  The Disney Junior "short" is called Fuzzy Friends!  And here is a screen shot to give you a better idea of what it looks like!

Moving on......So I knew that there might be more to the vision I had about the five fold ministry.  And I was correct!  Last night I had a dream.  In the dream there were five persons (I could not tell if they were male or female) standing shoulder to shoulder.  The tallest person in the middle was wearing a shirt that said "APOSTLE"!   I was glad that there was some identification because I was wondering (even in my dream) who these five people were!  Then just as quickly these five figures, once again, became the fingers on a hand.  The order in the dream was pinkie finger - evangelist, ring finger - pastor, middle finger - apostle, pointer finger - teacher and thumb - prophet.   (As an aside to Ken, it looked like these titles were written in Sharpie on each finger!)  In my dream as I was considering this vision, I saw a hand with just a pinkie finger.  And there wasn't much that it could accomplish without the other fingers.  And then, in order I saw a hand with only one finger.  The thumb had the most success alone, but even that was minimal.  Then, just as suddenly, I saw those same five persons standing apart.  There were large spaces between them and they were not looking at each other. 

When I woke from this dream I was thinking about how there is often separation between the very prominent, well known people in the Christian world. With all of the unrest and turmoil and shaking in the world, we need to draw closer to one another and support each other.  And more importantly, we should be LISTENING to each other.  Sometimes it seems like some ministry leaders get so involved in their own current revelations that they forget to listen to what others are saying.  I truly believe that it is TOGETHER that we have the whole message for today. 

So this morning I was meditating on this dream.  The apostle was the most prominent of the persons in the dream.  But even though it was the most visible, tallest, biggest - when they were standing alone, they couldn't do very much. The evangelist as the pinkie is the one with the least "protection".  They are out there on the front lines, making themselves vulnerable.  The pastor as the ring finger - known to be special because it is called the "heart" finger (a direct connection to the heart) - yes, pastors are the caring/feeling part of the 5 fold ministry.  The pointer finger as the teacher.  Yes, the teachers point the way to the truth.  And then the prophet as the thumb.  The thumb is the helper and the empowerer of the hand.  Each of the other fingers can function alone IF there is a thumb as a helper.  And each of the other parts of the 5 fold can function better if there is a prophet standing with them.  This is because the prophet brings accountability and keeps each of the other persons in line with the Lord. 

After thinking about this dream and the results of my meditation on the dream, I am wondering what Jesus is really saying to me about this!  There are many, many books and articles written about the five fold ministries, by people much more knowledgeable than I.  But going back to yesterday's blog, I am understanding that this message is really for ALL of us.  Because it is our responsibility to encourage those that we know who are Pastors and Evangelists and Teachers and Apostles and Prophets to surround themselves with the others from this group, established in the Bible.  I believe this is even more important that yesterday's message that we need to support the five fold ministers among us.  All of us in the "other" hand, need to carry this message to those who most need to hear it! 

Jesus, I don't really understand why you are speaking this to me today, but I am sure that you have a plan and purpose for this word going forth.  Father, I pray that you would encourage those operating in the positions of the five fold ministry to surround themselves with your planned support system.  Holy Spirit, thank you for giving me insight into my dream and continued revelation on this subject.  Would you give us all courage and boldness to share this message with those in our sphere of influence.  Give us the correct words and the perfect timing to share and encourage the pastors, prophets, evangelists, apostles, and teachers around us.  Amen

Back to basics...

I have been reading a book recommended by a friend after she read my blog post "Dreams of heavenly battles" from this past Sunday.  The book,  The Sword of the Lord by Kevin Basconi has been one of those books that I read page by page.  What I mean by that is, I read a page and then stop and re-read that page.  Then think about what was written on that page, then read that page again.  If I didn't have this book on Kindle, it would be marked up with highlighter and underlines and folded corners.  And I am only 1/3 of the way through the book!  I have already gone back to the beginning of the book and re-read entire chapters.  Just incredible.

Here's the thing......As I have been reading this book which describes Kevin Basconi's visions, I feel as if I am back in my own dream from Saturday night. And the thing is, it seems like it is causing me to remember in a deeper way, more about my own experience with Jesus.  Even though I don't know how this book ends, I am sure that I can recommend it!  The first 1/3 is great!

Today the message that was in page after page was EVERY PERSON MUST HEAR THE VOICE OF THE LORD FOR THEMSELVES!   Really, there is nothing else that is as important as this.  Over 20 years ago, I was blessed to be in a place that had this concept as a foundation of their ministry.  When there was prayer or ministry with a person, the FIRST thing that was said, was "what is Jesus saying to you?"  Today I am feeling so thankful for the years and years I have had with this concept. And I am understanding, in a deeper way, why I have felt so compelled to teach this "listening prayer" to children. 

I am convinced that this is the season of back to basics.  It is a time when Jesus is calling us all back to the foundations of our faith.  Worship, the Word (the Bible) and communion with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  And by communion I mean true communication - two way - talking and listening.  Taking the time to stop and let the Holy Spirit speak into our spirit.  Journaling - writing down the things that we are talking about.  Spending time with our God.  This is more than just a "daily devotion" - although that can certainly be a great place to start!  I am just encouraging you to go one step further......just stop and ask Jesus what he is speaking to you today.  And then listen!

And here is the truth-telling part of this blog.  Even after I had learned to listen to Jesus, I did not spend enough time just listening.  This is another reason why I am so thankful for this blog!  I have been spending much more time listening to Jesus as I consider what I am supposed to be sharing.

My challenge to all of you reading this blog today..... "What is Jesus saying to you?" 

Jesus, thank you for speaking to us today.  I am in awe of your plan and destiny for us.  You are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  And yet, you care about each of us.  Holy Spirit, please encourage us to listen to Jesus as he talks with us.  Thank you for drawing us back to the foundations in our walk with you.   Amen