The Battle Belongs to the Lord-- the meaning of my new painting

Tuesday night, after an afternoon/evening of spiritual attacks, I was in a bad and dark place emotionally. As I was praying, I had the vision of Jesus coming to me and praying for me. He laid His hands on my head, and prayed. As I looked up at Him, I noticed that He was wearing a white robe, which represented the resurrection. But then I noticed that He was still wearing the crown of thorns. He then said very clearly to me, “The battle is mine- let ME fight it.” As I continued to pray, and stress some more- the vision then led to Christ taking off the crown of thorns and placing it on MY head, which was more than a bit upsetting. I really didn’t understand that at all. The next morning, I felt led to draw and paint a picture of the crown of thorns. I drew/ painted as I was instructed, but still felt that there was something missing. At the same time, I was still very upset about the vision I’d had the night before. The day went on with no answers. The next morning, I headed up to CtK for an IPM (individual prayer ministry), an evening Healing Service and some quite time in the beauty and peace of CtK. As I was driving up, I got the “message” to paint a hand… my hand, in the picture of the Crown of Thorns. I didn’t understand it, but I knew to do it. I worked that afternoon, to add the hand- which turned out better than anything I’d really ever painted. I knew there was a message from God. I shared the completed painting with a few people, none of whom could figure out the meaning either. We joked that it was not something that people would probably want on their walls at home. I went home that night, still troubled by the original message with the crown of thorns and trying to figure out what God was trying to tell me in the painting. As I laid I bed praying, I heard God very clearly say to me… “The Battle is mine—but until you hand me over your pain, your stress, your worries, your problems I can’t fight the battle for you… I can’t take the crown of thorns from you. Give me the crown of thorns, which was intended to be mine” It was then that “I got it”… I saw my hand, as in the painting, remove the crown of thorns from my head- and hand it over to Christ- pain, stress, worries, problems and all. The Battle belongs to the LORD!

A quick PS-- for those of you reading this from the Albany NY area, this painting, as well as a few others of mine (as well as the work of many other talented artists) will be on display at the Christ the King Art Club Show and Sale. The show starts Friday, April 25th at 5pm- 8pm and ends Saturday, April 26th at (2-4pm). Dinner is available on Friday night at 6pm for $14.00. For directions and information take a look at the CTK website- www.ctkcenter.org

The Battle Belongs to the Lord

The following song by Petra is very fitting in my life right now... can't go into details, but I know that the Battle Belongs to the LORD!!

In heavenly armour we'll enter the land
The battle belongs to the Lord
No weapon that's fashioned against us shall stand
The battle belongs to the Lord

We sing glory and honor Power and strength to the Lord (repeat)

The power of darkness comes in like a flood
The battle belongs to the Lord
He's raised up a standard, the power of His blood
The battle belongs to the Lord

When your enemy presses in hard do not fear
The battle belongs to the Lord
Take courage my friend, your redemption is near
The battle belongs to the Lord

Happy Easter!!

Christ is Risen~~~

The Lord is Risen indeed-- ALLELUIA!!!!

This morning I experienced, what could only be described as, "indescribable". At 5:30 am (yes, I said AM), I sat in a darkened room with about 50 others to worship and celebrate our risen Lord through the service of "The Great Vigil of Easter". We began in total darkness- the sun had not yet begun to rise. We listened to readings: Genesis 1:1-22... the story of creation, Exodus 14:10-15... Israel's deliverance at the Red Sea, Ezekiel 37: 1-4... the valley of the dry bones, Zephaniah 3:12-20...the gathering of God's people, and finally John 19:31-24... the Crucifixion of Christ. After each reading, we sang an appropriate hymn- the most significant being the singing of "Were You There?", following the Gospel reading (there was hardly a dry eye in the room during this song). All this done, as I said earlier, in a darkened room... so powerful... so symbolic!!!

After this, we all processed outside for the Liturgy of Light. The procession was silent, so dignified, so spiritual! The sun was just beginning to rise- a perfect sunrise for a beautiful celebration! We gathered around a large pit, where the first fire was lit and blessed, and where the Christ candle (extinguished on Holy Thursday) was re-lit. It was a Holy moment!! As we processed back inside (into the sanctuary this time) led by dear Deacon Barbara carrying the Christ candle, we paused on occasion to sing the words, "The Light of Christ- Thanks be to God!" Back in the darkened sanctuary, we were each given a candle. As we processed down the center aisle, we were greeted by Deacon Barbara, Fr Joe and Fr Nigel (three of my very favorite people in the entire world). We each lit our candle off the beautiful glow of the Christ candle. As we sang, "Christ the Lord is Risen Today", little by little, the sanctuary began to glow with the Light of the Risen Christ-- it began to glow in my heart as well. It really was an incredible moment. The sanctuary was decorated beautifully- it echoed the joy that this day is all about. The service continued with a beautiful singing of the Exsultet (it's hard to explain... google it!) by Sr Mary Elizabeth. The words to this are so powerful, so meaningful! Next was more scripture: Acts 10:34-43, and Luke 24: 1-10... the Gospel of the Resurrection. As always, Fr Nigel's homily was wonderful... his words never fail to move me to my very core. His passion, excitement and love for Christ is so contagious... soon he had everyone shouting joyous "Alleluias". The love and excitement in the room was palpable!!

For me, the most meaningful part of any worship is the communion, but today- the day celebrating our Risen Lord, the moment of communion filled my heart with a love that I cannot put words to. Fr Nigel placed the host in my hand and said a warm blessing, and then looking into his eyes- I saw- and was filled with the absolute love of Christ!!! Thinking of this moment again, brings tears of joy to my eyes. It is a moment that I will not likely forget. As I returned to my seat, I stood and gazed upon the cross... upon the crown on Christ's head. My eyes filled with tears of joy. Thank you, Lord for this moment!

We concluded the service with more songs (12 in total today- we are blessed with an incredible music ministry- thank you Steve and Sr LilliAna). At the end, we were all given a beautiful plant by dear Nancy (Fr Joe's wife and one of the prayer team). As per Easter tradition at CtK, we all gathered for a delicious brunch in the Welcome Center- it was a time of friendship and fellowship... the perfect ending to the perfect morning.

Little did I know, however, that God was not done with me yet this morning.... I stayed at CtK for the weekend, mainly to avoid the long drive so early in the morning- but also to have a bit of a mini-retreat. After brunch, I decided to go for a walk before heading home. I found myself heading down the hill to the Healing Center... the chapel there is my favorite place in the whole world- I love spending time there in quiet and in prayer- the peace of this chapel is one that passes understanding and description!! I realized that Fr Nigel was there, so entered quietly, so not to interrupt. But, as always, he welcomed me with love and friendship. He is such a busy man, it's hard to find time to engage in a quiet social conversation with him-- but that is what God blessed me with today. God has so blessed me with the gift of Fr Nigel in my life, as an incredible spiritual role model. As I walk my spiritual path, ever mindful of my calling- I look, listen to and learn from this wonderful man of God. Today's conversation encouraged me even more in my calling (I know that was God's intention!) I also made the difficult decision today to slowly move away from my Methodist upbringing and begin the steps to officially become part of the Episcopal Church. It's a lengthy process, as Fr Nigel described- but one I know in my heart is right for me at this time. I don't want to ever leave the Methodist church completely-- but the doctrine and beliefs of the Episcopal church, are, I'm finding more in line with my own.

Today was an amazing, incredible, faith-filled, Christ-filled, Holy, love-filled day! Thank you, God for the gift of Your Son- and for the Healing power found at the foot of the Cross!

Christ is Risen~~

The Lord is Risen indeed-- ALLELUIA!!!

Palm Sunday... Holy Week Begins

Today is Palm Sunday- the beginning of the most Holy week of the year. As I sat in church today, amidst the joyous shouts of "Hosanna, Hosanna", my heart could not stop feeling a twinge of sadness. Today we celebrated Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. But my mind could not help but look at the week ahead... Holy Thursday where Christ shared in His final meal with His disciples, and then lovingly washed their feet, knowing that some of them would betray Him.... Good Friday where our Lord was crucified and died- for us-- for ME. How could my heart not feel deep anguish?

This afternoon, I began to reflect on this week. How would today have been different if I didn't know of the events that followed? I imagined being one of those who came out to greet Him with palm branches, shouting "Hosanna" (meaning "save"). The joy of seeing the man who could raise the dead, heal the sick, love the unlovable... I think it would be a most overwhelming moment. But then I think about being one of His disciples (as we all are) and sharing in a meal with Him and then later having Him wash my feet. I think of the love, and feel almost unworthy of that love. (I will be attending a foot washing on Holy Thursday, and the just the thought of Father Nigel- who to me is a living, loving example of the living, loving Christ- washing my feet already moves me to tears.) I think of Good Friday- I see myself as one who stopped to help Him, to wipe His blood stained face, and later to watch him nailed to a cross. I can imagine the pain of seeing this wonderful man in agony, would be more than I could bear.

As Holy Week begins, my heart beats with sadness, my mind quiets and focuses on thoughts of God's amazing love and His sacrifice for us all. Christ tells is in the Gospel of John, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Never in all of the world, has there been a better example of "greater love" than the sacrifice of our Lord. It is a love that passes understanding. It is a love that has changed my life.