encouragement-week-11

Dear Family & Friends:

Please, allow me this brief moment of your time.  Many of you have your finger on the pulse of this great nation.  Anything I reiterate, you will either have an opinion or a position regarding the same.  You see, for at least the last few months, I have had a strong stirring in my spirit about the days ahead of us.  This is not my grandparent’s America nor my parent’s, or even much less my own.  What can you remember as a youngster growing up in this nation?  I remember watching my mother vote in my Kindergarten room, I remember July 4th parties at a neighbor’s house and I can remember family reunions, beautiful weddings and thoughtful funerals learning about the deceased’s commitment to this nation.  Maybe it’s because I live on top of a mountain in Montana that these things seem so fleeting but I don’t think so and trying to convince myself is quite a task.

This stirring in my spirit would come during my times of personal prayer with the Father.  I know He has gifted me with the ability to compose my thoughts in such a way that others feel encouraged by the words.  I do not take this gift with a light heart or false sense of security.  I find as I age that I am less willing to share my thoughts in written form primarily because I am afraid of the backlash or inciting some form of conflict that I may not be able to stand against.  But this is not about me.  This is about being taken to task – all of us – where I suppose the proverbial “rubber meets the road” when it comes to our faith in an Almighty Father.

This stirring in my spirit, time and again, brought me to II Chronicles 7:14…

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

This e-mail is not a judgment on parts or wholes of people.  It is not meant to challenge lines of thought on Old Testament or New Testament applicability.  This e-mail is so far outside my personal comfort zone that I know it stands for something greater from the One who is greater than I.  I knew I was being led to share II Chronicles 7:14 but I didn’t know when or how or why until recently.

Coach Dave Daubenmire of Pass the Salt Ministries (http://ptsalt.com) was recently on the Hagmann and Hagmann show (LISTEN HERE: http://saltandlightbrigade.org/885/).  “Coach Dave,” as he is affectionately known in his circles, provided a “Call to Arms” making a proposition to all Christians in near vicinities of Washington D.C. to meet on June 14 from 12 PM – 3 PM for a silent gathering of worship, fasting and prayer without provocation.  The occasion?  Saving traditional marriage from a devastatingly Supreme Court vote against it.  He discussed Supreme Justice Anthony McLeod Kennedy’s question to the lawyers in defense of changing the definition of marriage by asking, “Do you really know what you’re asking me to do here?”  Coach Dave believes, and I concur, that Supreme Justice Kennedy just might be having a “spiritual epiphany” or “revelation” of sorts where he could be the one the Father uses for His glory.  Coach Daubenmire summarized on the Hagmann show such worthy tales where man had to rely solely on the Father as in Joshua and the walls of Jericho.  As Christians, are we to believe in these stories as allegorical or typological instruction or something more?  Could it really just be as easy as a profound and collected show of faith?

Maybe we not only have lost our moral compass as a nation but also our spiritual compass as God’s people.  We should all know that as God’s people, we are under His judgment – present day.  Also as God’s people, we should know that our walks are His concern.  After all, if we are merely expecting God to make things right when we take no stand against the wickedness of our day, should we then be surprised at the outcome?  Where were God’s people for Roe v. Wade?  Did we amass as a united people against Madeline Murray O’Hare and her battle to remove prayer from schools?

Are we not seeing in this very present moment God’s unfailing patience?  How long will that last?  Is there anything we can do that would make us worthy once again in the eyes of our Creator?  By worthy, do not misunderstand my intent.  We are ALL worthy but we are chaff if we do not stand for the Almighty God we claim to love, honor and serve when He very plainly provides us with instructions.  To the Creator, 1,000 years is as a day.  Imagine if we moved spiritually together and earned one more day of His grace during these tumultuous times…

After listening to Coach Dave this past week, my spirit has not relented; it has quickened.  This isn’t about a bus ride to Washington, D.C.  After last night’s time of personal prayer, I strongly feel led to make this proposition, on behalf of the Father, and add reinforcements to Coach Dave’s Washington D.C.’s time of worship, prayer and fasting – a preemptive spiritual assistance to June 14.  On Saturday, June 13th, what if we as God’s people stayed home and worshipped, fasted and prayed preparing the way for Washington D.C. on June 14th?  What if we took a time of 12 PM – 3 PM in our own family circles and homes, but yet as a collected voice, and demonstrated our united faith in the God we love and serve – take Him at His Word – call Him by name, humble ourselves, pray and seek His face and turn from our wickedness; i.e., our apathy to not do anything?  What could happen?  I believe our means will justify an end that will not only increase our faith but show God that He can indeed count on His people.  Three hours of worship, fasting and prayer could mean one more day of His grace.

I also feel urged to be a source of encouragement as this is NOT a political matter.  This is a spiritual battle that only the Father can win on behalf of us all.  I’ve written my legislators over the years.  I’ve made my phone calls.  There is an air of pride and lately, their responses have been so formalized that I highly doubt my words have ever been received by the intended recipients.  You should also know that this battle we wage is not without an impact on our lives.  In my own extended family exists homosexuality.  We are not waging a war against flesh but rather, saving the principles of our Father who set into motion thousands of years ago the definition of marriage and family.  I do not have to tell you what this changed definition would mean to the sanctity of Christian life.  I do not put upon my armor against my loved ones living outside of the Father’s will; I stand in the gap for them and occupy until the Coming of Jesus and judgment.

As for me and my family, we will be taking a quiet day of worship, fasting and prayer on Saturday, June 13 in order to equip the saints going to Washington, D.C. as well as having our Father hear our voices in this united effort of faith.  One more day of His grace…just seems like a treasure worth fighting for all the way to the very end.

Love & Blessings!
Jerelyn

Thank you, Jerelyn, for the kind and inspiring words.  It’s great to have you on the team!