He travelled with a group. He wasn’t out on his own trying to take a village with the gospel. He entered an area with 10 or 12 trusted brothers and sisters. Some were priests, some students, some just lovers of Jesus. Their corporate mission was to manifest the life of Jesus to everyone they met.
Patrick would meet with the tribal king (there were many kings in Ireland in those days. We might call them chiefs or leaders today) He then would ask for permission for him and his team to camp adjacent to the tribe. With this close proximity, they always held a hope that they would convert many to Christ.
They would meet the local people, engage in conversation, pray for the sick and possessed, as well as councel and mediate conflicts. They would pray over the land, especially over the water. There is a story about a beautiful beach near where I live in the west of Ireland that Pattick is reported to have blessed and declared over it that no one would ever drown there. To this day, some 1500 years later, no one ever has!
Patrick and his team would preach openly using parables, stories, poetry, songs, visual symbols, art and drama. The well known Irish symbol of a shamrock is said to have been used by Patrick to teach the people about the Trinity.
The team would then welcome those who seemed receptibe to join them for a feast. They would invite the locals to break bread with them, then worship and pray together. They would spend weeks or even months in this simple welcoming ministry.
As converts were joined to them, they would sometimes build a small chapel, baptisizng the converts. There are still today, ruins of chapels reportedly built by Patrick and his teams. Also, there is a small stone lined pool near me that is named “Patrick’s Vat”and said to be a place where he baptised new believers. To add to the authenticity of this claim, the church there has been in continual operation since Patrick’s time.
When it was time to move to a new location, Patrick would ordain a priest to lead the newly formed congregation. He would also add a few young converts to his team as they ventured to the next camp and started the process again.
Recently I attended a local sheep fair. In my small farming town in the west of Ireland, livestock are a vital part of life here.
A group of sheep had been corralled into a pen. The poor dears trotted back and forth, most bleating in confusion and fear. The seemed to be shouting, “Where should we go? What is happening? I don’t like this!!“ This continued for about 10 minutes.
Then, it was time for the judging to determine the best sheep. All the farmers whose sheep were in the pen entered the area and immediately went to their own animal. They all looked the same to me, but they all knew their own.
As they each found their sheep, they knelt on one knee beside the frightened animal. Instantly the sheep quieted. Some of the farmers put an arm over their sheep’s back. Some stroked under the sheep’s chin, settling it even more. One farmer spoke softly into his sheep’s ear. The pen was now quiet.
My first thought, when the sheep were all running around crazily was “Seeing the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matt. 9:36 NASB.
Normally sheep are quite docile, but it doesn’t take much for them to become frightened and frenzied. But it was a beautiful sight when the farmers came to their sheep, when they held them close, and gently stroked them or whispered to them. Then every sheep was calm.
You probably don’t need me to draw the analogy. We can be just like the frightened sheep at times. But what a good Shepherd we have! He makes His presence known, and holds us close. He whispers His. Word to us, bringing us peace.
Three fine sheep won ribbons that sunny morning. But I got the best prize. I was reminded that Jesus holds me, comforts me, and whispers His word to me, just when I need it.
“Do the riches of his extraordinary kindness make you take him for granted and despise him? Haven’t you experienced how kind and understanding he has been to you? Don’t mistake his tolerance for acceptance. Do you realize that all the wealth of his extravagant kindness is meant to melt your heart and lead you into repentance? But because of your calloused heart and refusal to change direction, you are piling up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed.” Rom. 2:4-5
His kindness radiates from His beautiful heart. As our damaged souls breathe a sigh of desperation, His kindness comes, invisible but potent. He is confident that even a touch of His magnificent kindness is able to soften a hard heart.
Oh the joy He feels when His kindness is received by damaged people. Feeling completely unworthy of anything kind, wehave isolated ourselves from love. But when we hear the gentle knock of His kindness, we can dare to peek out and see if help has finally come.
His kindness carries our wounded hearts, and steadies our confused minds. Those who have been assaulted and abused understand self-protection and a life-style of fear. But the kindness of Jesus has nothing harsh or jagged in it. It never will.
His kindness is wrapped in patience, and He lovingly waits for us to begin to trust again.
We expect rebuke, but He comes with compassion. We expect punishment, but He brings restoration.
He knows the most intimate thoughts of humanity, even the most vile and perverted. Yet He cherishes all of us. It is this undeserved and unconditional tenderness that leads us to repentance. He is so eager to express His extravagant kindness that He offers it to all, at every turn. His default is mercy, for who can stand before Him on the Judgment Day without it?
When Moses encountered the I AM in the wilderness, “…the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in faithfulness and truth;”
Exodus 34:6 NASB
Which one of us would offer mercy, new every day, to those who reject us, or curse us or hate us? Yet, He kindly holds out His holy heart for just the moment the prodigal will come to his senses. He offers His magnificent kindness to come along side the degenerate who wants to be free.
The kindness of Jesus is the bright star that can lead us home to His heart. May His extravagant compassion melt our hearts and lead us to change our ways. He’s on our side. He wants us to be free. May His kindness lead us home to love. How can we refuse such a beautiful gift?
He is not going to hurt us; He wants to save us. He is not going to lecture us; He is going to sing over us. He is not going to shame us; He is going to call us His own.
“Our faith guarantees us permanent access into this marvelous kindness that has given us a perfect relationship with God.” Rom. 5:2 TPT
I had encounters in the Mountain House. They weren’t dreams, or imagination. They were real. And life transforming. They are for all of us, because when one rejoices we all rejoice.
So I invite you into this encounter with me. Take a few deep breaths. See what He shows you.
In encounter, Wisdom brought me to the Tree of Life. The tree stood fully alive on a hill, with branches and leaves and fruit and shade. The sun illuminated him from behind, and made him glisten as the breeze moved his leaves and branches. Every other tree knew him and loved him. They knew he was all life and wonderful goodness, permanent and steadfast. As Wisdom brought me closer, I smelled this wonderful woody fruity fragrance. It made me hunger for his fruit. As we came under his shade, it was like every memory and experience I had had in my life was cooled and refreshed. I felt like I had always been here, or I had always been with him.
I use the pronoun him because he had persona. He was alive, and felt even more alive than me. And ancient, and wise and majestic and strong. I approached him as one would approach a monarch, a sovereign, with humility and honor. As I looked up I could see five branches within my scope of vision. Each branch was dark wood and so very, very strong and solid. I thought of how I wanted to touch a branch, and suddenly I was elevated and could touch the high branch. As my fingers reached out to touch, before they even reached the limb, I could feel this soft energy emanating from him. It was as though he contained so much life, the structure was insufficient to house it.
Then I began to hunger for a taste of his fruit. When suddenly the revelation came that I was touching the humanity of Christ. I was beholding the Incarnate One, who became like us so He could make us like Him. Then, Father said to me, “This is the gift of honor. You have honored the Incarnation in your heart and in your words. And when you honor, and what you honor opens to you. Honor is a door into revelation light.”
I wanted to kiss the branches, I never wanted to leave this moment.
Wisdom had raised me up so I could touch the high branches. Now, she lowered me back to the ground so I could experience his roots and wide trunk. I saw scars and gashes in the trunk – how he had silently endured his tormentors who had beaten his innocent flesh with Roman whips. Now these windows of vulnerability remained visible as a testament to his suffering love.
“My beloved is to me the most fragrant apple tree— he stands above the sons of men. Sitting under his grace-shadow, I blossom in his shade, enjoying the sweet taste of his pleasant, delicious fruit, resting with delight where his glory never fades. SOS 2:3
Then he spoke to me and said, “You are a tree, planted by the river…”. And I realized he was referring to Ps. 1:3 He will be standing firm like a flourishing tree planted by God’s design, deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss, bearing fruit in every season of life. He is never dry, never fainting, ever blessed, ever prosperous.”
This verse takes on such a profoundly deep meaning for me, because now I know I am like him, I am one of his kind, human and divine in one being. I am a tree, and he is The Tree.
The sun behind him seemed to be setting, and I worried that it would get dark and I would have to leave him. I never wanted to leave him. I never wanted to come away from his protection, his strength, his fruit and his shade. Then Wisdom reassured me, like a mother comforting her little child. “There is no night here. There is no darkness, as you know darkness. The light is in you.” This calmed me and took away my worry.
As it is in encounters, there was some communication without speaking. I thought of the fruit, and how I wanted to taste it. Wisdom knew my desire right away. And suddenly she was holding in her hands a pear shaped fruit that was glowing. It was pale green and I wondered if I would start glowing if I ate the fruit, and Wisdom laughed. She said, “You already do!” I was not aware until that moment that I was glowing. But as soon as I realized it, it seemed like I had always known it. And Wisdom was glowing, and the tree was glowing, and everything shimmered. It was love. Love illuminated everything from within. Even the ground where I stood had a soft glow, like a guiding presence, available for me anytime I didn’t know the way.
I took the fruit from Wisdom’s hand and it was warm. I wondered if it had been in the sun. And Wisdom smiled and said, “We are all in the Son.” I knew she meant everything that existed was in Him.
Then I lifted the glowing fruit to my lips and took a bite. It was juicy, and sweet, but not like any fruit I had ever tasted. It felt nourishing, refreshing, full of healing and strength. And then he said, “This is my body, given for you.” I was undone. Here in this place of holy love and light, I was partaking of Him, of Jesus. Of His life and death and resurrection. I was joined to Him. I was and am in Him forever. I am in Him and He is in me.
Wisdom was seated on the ground leaning against the tree. I thought she must spend a lot of time here. She knew my thought again, and said, “ I do. And so can you.” I knew instantly that the reality of this place was now forever accessible to me – as are so many of our encounters – able to be revisited at any moment. Honor is the door of access.
I knew this time was coming to a close, and as I looked down to walk away, I saw a leaf on the ground. It glowed, gently, just like everything else. I picked it up, like you would pick up a sea shell when you took a walk on the beach – a little reminder of a beautiful moment. But, Wisdom again instructed me in a greater reality. “You are a leaf, a healing substance for your nation. You are forever joined to him, and all that He is and has is in you.”
As one does after being in the presence of a king, I did not turn my back to walk away, but instead slowly walked backwards, wanting this glorious vision to remain in my consciousness. And it has, and always will.
I realize now, I was in Eden. It is open for us now, and we can enter its delights.
High in the California mountains I’ve prayed, laughed, cried, read, painted, written, and had spiritual experiences unlike any in my life. More details later.
Thanks for those who prayed for me during this special week.
My biggest takeaway from this retreat is that I can live a life of dedicated hours for payer, writing, art or simply sitting with the Lord in stillness, right in my own home. It’s about choosing how I use my time.
My prayer is that Holy Spirit will help me spend my time in ways that please Him. 💖
I am about to embark on a journey of a lifetime. It is not metaphorical. I will be traveling over 6,000 miles, from the west coast of Ireland to the west coast of the US. The trip will take about 19 hours.
Why? Because heaven has invited me to a special house in the mountains to minister to Jesus. Yes, I can do that here at home. But place has significance. And this place is holy.
So I’m almost all packed, and eager to discover deeper places of His heart. If it seems appropriate, I will share some of it here.
In the meantime, I am singing a little chorus today, “Oh Jesus, I surrender myself, take care of everything, Lord.” And I know He will.
Mercy. Deep, bloody mercy. A most pure and holy room inside Your heart is full and pulsating with mercy.
So undeserved here in me. So abundant there in You, Jesus. Mercy for the whole world, for all creation.
Atmospheres of mercy, like winds, touching even the smallest leaf inside creation have always been in the created realm.
David said, “where can I hide from Your presence.” I add, “Where can I hide from Your mercy? My presumption collides with Your mercy. My audaciousness crashes into Your tenderness.
Have the victory here in my soul, Jesus. Be the king of my tiny, impoverished soul. Be my bright morning and my glistening starry night. Be my feast and my satisfying drink. Let Your abundance sprout inside of me, and make me Your private garden.
Mary Magdalene saw Jesus when He had risen from the dead, but she did not recognize His face.
“…she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.” John 20:14
This woman who really knew His face did not recognize Him in His resurrection body. It was not until Jesus spoke her name that she recognized Him. How could this be?
Mary had seen His face when Jesus delivered her from seven demons. He was the first man to ever see her for the beautiful child of God that she was. His face, unlike any other man’s face, expressed honor and esteem towards her, rather than lust and contempt.
But she also saw Jesus’ face covered in blood, dirt and sweat. She had seen His eyes and lips swollen from the beatings. As she stood at the foot of the cross, she saw His face bloated and bruised, lacerated in places from the whips, and so unlike the face of the gentle deliverer she loved with all of her heart.
But the Man who stood before her in the garden of the tomb did not resemble the image of the tortured rabbi she held in her grief. How could she, of all people, not recognize Him?
Unbelief had temporarily blinded her. She would no longer see Him again with her limited human sight. Her image of His face was of the Crucified. Standing before her was the Resurrection. It was His spoken Word, calling her by name, that opened her eyes.
“So then, from now on, we have a new perspective that refuses to evaluate people merely by their outward appearances. For that’s how we once viewed the Anointed One, but no longer do we see him with limited human insight.” 2 Cor 5:16
The Firstborn from the Dead has a human face that emanates resurrection glory. The face of the God-man Jesus cannot be known with limited human insight. Because His face is the manifestation of the knowledge of God.
“Let brilliant light shine out of darkness,” is the one who has cascaded his light into us—the brilliant dawning light of the glorious knowledge of God as we gaze into the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Cor. 4:6
To seek the face of Jesus, is to want to know God intimately. We were fashioned to desire His face. The longings we feel to see His face, originated in His heart. He pours into us a longing for the face to face. Like Moses, we desire the position of friends who look eye to eye with mutual love.
When John saw Jesus on the Island of Patmos, he said, “And his face was shining like the brightness of the blinding sun! Rev. 1:16
The light of His face gives light to the stars and life to creation. This is why God gave the commandment to have no other gods before His face. That would mean a loss of intimacy with us, instead of a face to face relationship as covenant companions.
In the Old Covenant, the psalmist prayed,
“I heard your voice in my heart say, “Come, seek my face;” my inner being responded, “Yahweh, I’m seeking your face with all my heart.” So don’t turn your face away from me. You’re the God of my salvation; how can you reject your servant in anger? You’ve been my only hope, so don’t forsake me now when I need you!” Psalms 27:8-9 TPT
But now, in this New Covenant, in this miracle of union with Christ, He will never leave us, never turn His face away again.
So, now in this moment, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and open the eyes of your heart. He is waiting for your gaze to meet His.
