Archive for February, 2012

Holy of Holies

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

 

If you want to enter into the things of God, then the Tabernacle of Moses provides a perfect pattern and guide to the pathway that leads to life. The tabernacle consisted of three basic enclosures. The first one was called ‘the outer court’ and it was basically the entrance to the tabernacle. You had white coverings hung around the border of the court, then you had four posts as the gateway to the court. Inside, you had the brazen altar, where the animal sacrifices occurred. Then a bit further in, you had the brazen laver – this was a large container of water, at which the priests washed before they went further in the service of the tabernacle.

Then you would come across five pillars – the entrance to the ‘inner court’. Inside this place you would then find three more objects – the table of shewbread, the golden lampstand, and finally, the altar of incense. It is this altar that I am interested in sharing with you. This altar was made of wood overlaid with gold. You will only find gold in the inner court – this stands for the nature and character of God. You will find NO gold in the outer court – only bronze, which represents the judgement of God on sin. (Rev 2:18 – Jesus has bronze feet = judgement, and burning eyes = discernment)

Back to the golden altar – at this altar, the priest offered up a special kind of incense, which stands for prayers, praise and worship. This altar stands before the veil – the entrance to the Holy of Holies, where the very presence of God would come and accept the Atonement sacrifice of blood, which represented the blood of Jesus, which would be a once and for all time sacrifice. The priest had to mix 3 herbs and spices together and then mix that mixture with frankincense - a sweet smelling ointment. This mixture was to be used only for the worship of God, and those who tried to use it at home as ‘air freshener’ were to be cut off from the congregation!

The three spices (stactye, onica and galbannum) were crushed using a mortar and pestle – a special bowl and crushing implement, until they were all ground to powder. Then the frankincense was poured in and the whole mixture stirred until it became a certain consistency, and was thus ready for use.

Now, the purpose of this blog is to show how our lives are like that of the priests, as they progressed through the tabernacle. So do we progress through our Christian walk with the Lord. We spend time with the Lord – literally in His presence – at the table of shewbread. This speaks to us of communion too, as the priest had to consume a quarter of a hin of wine ( about 900 mils - http://www.thefreedictionary.com/hin) meaning that both bread and wine were consumed, forthtelling the communion. The priest would also spend time in front of the golden lampstand, tending the lamps – each of the seven lamps had to have their wicks trimmed and their containers filled each morning and evening. There were 66 pieces of solid beaten gold, fashioned into one lampstand by Bezaleel, son of Uri, the master craftsman.

“Thy word oh Lord is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

So there were lots of things happening in the tabernacle of Moses at any given time, but what does the altar of incense and its sacrifice say to us today? The mixture of three spices speaks to us of the body, soul and spirit of a person, who has their self life ‘crushed’ out of them by some of life’s circumstances. After the dealings of God in their lives, the frankincense (the presence of Jesus) is mixed in a fuller measure with what ever is left, and becomes a sweet smelling savour to God – pure worship from a purified heart. Remember:

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth”  (John 4:24)

You see folks, it’s relatively easy to get past the 4 “posts” (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and come to a faith in God, but it’s not so easy to get past the 5 “pillars” (Rev 3:12) and make your way into the inner court. This inner court can become a rubber room if you enter into it with wrong motives. God will deliberately put obstacles in your path, just to see what you are made of, and if necessary, will spit you straight back out again (Rev 3:16) Of course He already knows what we are like, but wants you and me to see ourselves as He sees us! That’s why this journey through the “narrow door” (Matt 7:14) gets a bit stickier as you go along the pathway.

A pillar in the temple is a ministry gift – Ephesians 4:11). A pillar is a tower of strength is its own right, but its strength is only fully known when it stands alongside other pillars – standing on a sure foundation, (2 Tim 2:19)and holding up the ceiling (the standard  of the church) and that standard is the Lord Jesus Christ – speaking the truth in love, we grow up into Him – His nature, His character, and then we finally take on the mantle of His authority. the church then becomes the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Tim 3:15)

But in order to go through this final door, into the very presence of God, into the Holy of Holies, means that we must be rid of all elements of our old self life. The less of us there is, the more of Jesus there will be, exuding from us. Not our old carnal wants and dislikes, but the sweet spirit of  servant leadership that only Jesus can manifest in us – Christ in us – the hope of Glory! (Col 1:27) And after all the crushing and mixing is done, then we are offered up on the altar (see Romans 12:1) -

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

The only way you and I get to go through THAT door – through the veil, is as a vapour! Yes, the veil was rent in two when Jesus died on the cross, and the way to God through salvation was made open to all. However, there is a process that we must go through (it’s called growth) so that our newly formed relationship with the Lord will grow and grow so that we may enjoys His presence, and learn to worship Him in spirit and truth.

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Cara’s Story- Ireland

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

While I was in Ireland March 2011 I met Carla who has an incredible story to tell. Here is her story. 

Blessings Christine

I woke up at some stage during Good Friday night 2010. My nineteen year old son Yann hadn’t returned yet from the party he had gone to, and I had learned long ago not to lie awake and wait for him since there was no way of knowing whether he would come home at all or stay the night somewhere. When at around 5am a car pulled up outside our house I decided it must be a taxi. When the engine was switched off I thought, for God’s sake, don’t tell me he came driving home. When I finally looked out of the window I saw a policeman and -woman getting out, and my heart jumped into my throat. Opening the door to them, it was beating so hard I could barely breathe.
I was told very gently that my son had been involved in a bit of a car accident and was in hospital, nothing too serious, possibly just a broken leg. Seeing that I was in no condition to drive I was given a lift in the policecar where I heard that indeed Yann had been the driver and that he had drink taken. My shock gave way to anger about this idiot son of mine who had had already several brushes with the law, all stupid things he had done when drunk.
When I arrived I heard him being addressed as Fred. For some reason he had decided to give them a false name, and the nurses, already tested by his loud drunken cursing and pleading for water, weren’t too pleased that all the bloodsamples had been sent off with the wrong label on them. I was impressed by their patience and good temperedness despite my son’s bad behaviour.
In the cubicle next to Yann lay Darren, who had been in the passenger seat of the car. He wasn’t shouting, as I think he was unconscious a lot of the time. He had been very badly injured, with many fractures, actual bones sticking out of his limbs, as I was told by the third lad, who had been in the backseat and amazingly, was uninjured and able to go home.
I was grateful just to sit there with my son who was gradually sobering up and reassuring him that once his leg was operated he would be allowed some water. Thoughts about the legal consequences to all of this began crossing both our minds.
The fractures were going to be dealt with in another hospital, and I guess we were waiting for the transport there, when both boys’ complaints about pain in their abdomens led to the decision to give them x-rays. After an eternity of sitting with Darren’s parents in the waiting room I was called into a small room and asked by the consultant to sit down. He then told me he was very sorry to say that my son had a life threatening injury to his aorta, the main bloodsupply vessel from the heart, that eight out of ten people would have died on the spot with such an injury and that Yann would need to have a stent put into his aorta which was so badly torn that only a few threads were holding it together. The good news was that there was an excellent surgeon in Dublin who was specializing in just this kind of operation, and that’s where my son would go.
This is where the battle began. Yann and the doctors were doing their part in the fight for Yann’s life, and for me it was time to rise to the spiritual battle that was raging unseen behind the scenes. The opportunity to put to practice everything I had learned since I joined my church two years ago. A church that wasn’t called Victory Christian Centre for nothing.
It was in this church that I met two passionate African women, so powerful in their prayers and so fierce in how they were coming against satan, that it left me openmouthed. – I realize this may not go down well with anyone who doesn’t believe in the existence of a devil in the first place. I can only speak for myself and say I’m aware that there is an enemy intent on getting into my mind and destroying my life from the inside out every single day from the moment I open my eyes in the morning. It helps me greatly to know that I can rise against him, and win! Not in my own strength but through Christ in me. This makes me a more powerful person than I was when I didn’t really believe in the existence of a devil but felt hopeless and scared all the time nonetheless.
It was my pastors whom I rang first, and the support I received through prayers, texts and calls over the next hours gave me great strength. To know that all these people were speaking, declaring, proclaiming, confessing God’s Word over Yann’s life was powerful.
Pastor Frank arrived in the hospital and “in the Name of Jesus” broke any dark assignment over Yann’s life, spoke healing over his injuries, prayed Psalm 91, and the two of us agreed that Yann would live. – The use of the name of Jesus, as well as commanding a spirit of sickness to leave and a prayer of agreement between two or more people, and -most exciting- declaring God’s Word, such as Psalm 91, all these must seem strange to say the least, yet they are spiritual tools, weapons in fact, that we are called to use.
We’re not meant to sit there and say, oh God, look how terrible this is, please do something. He wants us to use the authority He has given us through Christ. If the doctors say, we don’t know if your son will make it, yet Scripture says, “I’m confident in this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in Yann will also complete it”, then if mixed with a sufficient amount of faith, God’s truth will override the medical facts.
I was not unfamiliar with the idea that “you get what you expect” and had come to the frustrating conclusion that my own negative beliefs and expectations were holding me back and keeping me stuck in life. But lately I had begun to see how I could make this principle work in my favour. The Bible said, I could say to this “mountain” of Yann’s life-threating injuries “be thou removed and cast into the sea”, and if I believed it in my heart it would be done. Scripture also says we are given dominion over all circumstances by the power of Christ in us.
If this was true, why shouldn’t it include my son’s situation? The key was, not to doubt. But stand in faith and “aggressively claim” those scriptures that were relevant to Yann’s recovery.
I was allowed to go along in the ambulance, and I noticed the driver’s and the other medics serenity and lack of panic and understood you can’t get too emotional everytime you try to save someone’s life. I was told how extremely lucky the two lads had been to have got out of that wreck alive. It was fascinating to travel so fast and see the cars in front of us scuttle out of the way. All the while I was muttering under my breath all the scriptures I knew, thanking God that “all things work together for good” and doing my best to fully believe what I was saying.
The long hours of waiting in the Mater Hospital that followed were way worse for my husband and our two daughters and their boyfriends than for me. I could see the awful fear, worry and tears in their eyes. All they had were the consultant’s words who said that Yann’s chances of surviving the operation were 50/50, and the kindness of the nurse popping in and out of the High Dependency Unit explaining why they’re not operating yet and through her whole demeanor saying, look, don’t hope too much.
Believe it or not, I had one of the most powerful and positive days of my life. That day I learned what faith is, and when mine grew weak and I was hit by fear and the desire to fall apart, I could lean on the faith of those in my church. I’ll never forget Pastor Miriam’s words on the phone, “Have no fear.” – it was as if I suddenly understood these words in my spirit, and I got it.
Or another wonderful textmessage saying that on Good Friday Jesus took all the injuries and bruising and mangling that Yann and Darren went through. He already died for them. And it struck me, there’s absolutely no point in them dying, suffering a death that Jesus had already suffered for them. Jesus died so that Yann and Darren should have life. And that they should “have it more abundantly” (scripture again), not less abundantly, confined to a wheelchair or sth. No, a more abundant life than they had before all this happened.
Supposing it is true that Jesus died so that we would never have to be defeated again by the afflictions of this world. If I had said, well I’m sorry, Jesus, for the agony you had to suffer and I appreciate your good intentions, but I’m afraid it doesn’t do anything for me. This situation is far too serious and terrible. You heard what the doctors said. I can’t see how something you did 2000 years ago could have any impact on my or my family’s life. I could have decided to try and make bargains with God, like, if You save him I promise I will give up the fags, or something. This would have been equivalent to saying that Jesus died in vain, pointlessly. Instead, I made the effort to claim what he died for us to have.
When the good news came that the operation had gone well I shouted, see, I knew it!, before finally collapsing into a chair. On the way home we felt great, like we had just won the worldcup. My husband sent me a text saying thankyou for being so poitive and strong, on
The weeks and months to follow were not easy, and required a different kind of faith, a more sustained one. The adrenalin rush of that Easter Saturday was gone, and it was getting to me to see Yann looking worse every time we came to see him, puffed up after all his operations, feverish, and then very depressed when they weaned him off his morphine drip. Along with that, worries about the legal and financial implications yet to be faced. A few great scares as well when at least twice it looked like Darren was not going to survive. Once he had fluid in his lungs and had to be rushed to yet another hospital, once it was bone marrow in his lungs. Another time we received news that his brain had been damaged (due to the high speed impact) and once he was out of his induced coma he would have to spend a long time in a rehab clinic relearning the use of his limbs. In the end it looked like he would not be able to use one of his hands.
Today, both lads are fully recovered, their bodies fully intact, you would never guess they had been in the mangled car we had to go see in the srcapyard. With Darren’s cut up jumper still in it, as they had to cut him out of his clothes to get him out.
I am telling you all this because the whole story is a long string of miracles we received by God’s grace, and I still haven’t praised Him enough or made it clear enough to all the world that He deserves all the honour and the glory.

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Trumpets by Christine Richards

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

God is showing me trumpets that are overhead… and He says that just as there are special feasts and seasons in Israel so are there times and seasons in the church.

This is a season God is releasing trumpets right across the earth.

He is raising up prophetic voices in every nation right now.

To all those who will reach up by faith and receive the trumpets he will use in powerful ways in the coming days.

He says I give a voice to those I appoint… so set the trumpet to your mouth and let the sound of the prophetic word be released.

Prophesy a new move forward!

It will bring order and direction and establish people in their positions.

I am moving you to new levels of authority and as you give yourselves to be My voice I will open up new areas for you.

You will prophesy over cities and towns and see great breakthrough.

Prophesy in your living rooms. Prophesy in your bedrooms.

Prophesy your own destiny. It’s not just for in the churches.

I see the trumpet is silver and silver speaks of redemption.

It is highly polished and looks new.

Now I see trumpets being blown and I hear a voice saying

“Make way for the King”

The bridegroom is coming for His bride.

The scene changes… and now I see the Lord is showing me a person lying down.

The hand of the Lord goes in and opens up the person’s whole abdominal area (like a ripping open) exposing the heart and the inner man.

This is something that has to happen.

He’s adjusting and pulling up some things and wrong beliefs and attitudes.

It’s like He is showing that He cannot use those with the trumpets to the extent He wants until He has done some things in the heart and the belly area.

There is a ploughing and divine intervention that must take place.

This is going to be uncomfortable but He is going to shake and stir and pull up because He knows what His plan is to get us in position and He knows the assignment he has for each one.

We cannot do this work ourselves.

There have been things that have been done up until now which have become strengths….ways of ministry where we have become confident because we have seen success but these have to go. We cannot keep doing things the same way.

It’s like we can’t stay intact as though we have it all together.

Now I see a pure white figure rising up out of the opened up belly of the person and God is revealing that our carnal ways are like the outside husk of a seed and the white figure represents the spirit person that is no longer locked in but released and this is what God is looking for.

So get ready there is going to be some discomfort and upheaval. There will be many changes…changes of direction, changes in the way you do things.

When these things take place you will know you are on track.

We cannot give 90% and hold onto the other 10%.

He gave everything and He wants us to give Him everything in return.

Ezekiel 33 v1-7

Prophetic word spoken at meeting on 8th October     Christine Richards

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1st Jan 2012 Prophetic word Christine Richards

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

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God gave me a vision which I believe is prophetic of what He is wanting do in 2012.

In the vision I saw two lanes and in one lane I could see there was a long line of cars and in the other lane I didn’t see any cars at all and as I waited on the Lord He showed me that those people that are following in that long line of cars…they are at cruising speed…they are not breaking any rules…they are just doing what they need to do…but God is saying that there is another lane available that very few are on…it’s the inside lane… and God is saying he is looking for people who will pull out of that line of traffic (the mainstream)…and we’ve been taught that you submit but submission becomes dangerous when you are not fulfilling the call of God upon your life.

God is saying…it is time…He is looking for those ones to pull out from that line of cars and come in on the inside lane (it’s in the place of deep intimacy) because when you come on the inside lane an anointing of acceleration is going to come upon you. You’re going to put your foot down on the accelerator and you are going to find that you are overtaking those others…but as long as you stay in that other lane you’re not really going anywhere…you’re surrounded by people all going the same direction at the same pace…in cruise control.

God is looking for pioneers. He is looking for those who are willing to step out of that lane…put their foot on the accelerator by faith and he will pour out upon you an anointing of acceleration and favour.

Who wants that?

When you decide that you’re going to be one of those ones this year…that acceleration, that favour is going to come and God is going to bring you to a new level…promotion is coming in the Spirit.

There are many, many people that have been prepared and trained over many years and they are still in the line of cars.

They are not fulfilling what God has called them to do!

This is not a time for status quo anymore. This is 2012.

This is the year of Apostolic/Prophetic government coming into divine order.

This is a time when the Apostles and Prophets that have been hidden are going to come out. You’re going to see who they are!

They’re going to be the ones that want to accelerate and go with God.

They’re pioneers. They’re going to go into new realms of the Spirit so that others can follow.

Then when somebody breaks out and moves forward others in that line are going to say…if they can do it I can do it!

We’re going to have breakaway! We’re going to have Revival!

That same old lane is man’s way and many churches are still stuck in their little boxes. They’re still doing it according to the traditions of man.

It is not rebellious to obey God as some would think!

We submit to Him first. I am not promoting anarchy here but you need to know that you have to stand before God one day and He’s going to sayI gave you an opportunity that first day in 2012…what did you do with it?

Prayer

So Father here we stand at the door of 2012 and we believe God that you open doors and opportunities that no man can shut and these your people Lord have responded in their hearts to your Word…they say it’s time for acceleration…I am willing…I want to be one of those ones…so Father I release that anointing of acceleration to come right now upon your people in the Name of Jesus.

Lord bring them into that position they are meant to be in. Lord I pray for those that have had prophecies; that have had a call on their lives for many years and know they are not in the position they should be in…bring them out of the mainstream and establish them in the right position to bring Glory to your name.

Amen…praise God!!

 

 

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THERE IS A SHIFT TAKING PLACE IN THE SPIRIT – CHRISTINE RICHARDS

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

 

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I have had a strong sense in recent weeks to release this prophecy which I spoke out in Brisbane in 2007.

We are hearing so much about “shift” lately that I feel God wants me to share.
Prophecies need to be read and reread  many times to get us into alignment with what He is doing.
There is a shift taking place in the Spirit.
In this shift I am causing great change to come across the whole earth.
It will be like a shifting of gears. More power will be released.
There will be a quaking and a trembling at My presence.
I am a supernatural  God and I am bringing a shift in the atmosphere so that my people will focus more on the supernatural…on the heavenly spiritual realm than the natural realm.

I want you to live out of your spirits.
I have placed the Kingdom of God within you but many of my people have closed Me in.
It is time to let the kingdom of God come forth from you and do those signs and wonders you long for.

The earth will shake, buildings will shake, people will shake as My presence and Glory is released,
says the Lord.

God bless

Christine Richards

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Pilgrim’s (Lack Of) Progress…

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

 

 

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Walking down the gentle slope of the pasture known as Grace Abiding, Christian was headed out for the River of Life. He was shown the way by Evangelist, who had pointed to the King’s Throne way off in the distance. This river flowed from that large throne, all the way down to the Tree of Life, and Christian was determined to hop into the River and float down to the Tree and partake of its bountiful fruit – ” love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against which there is no law”. Christian had had enough of the fruit that Mr Badorchards had supplied to the local supermarket – Carnal World Outlets. Although the fruit had often come with great fanfare and fuss, that did nothing to improve its quality or taste – “adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, jealousy, wrath, selfishness, divisions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” thought Christian to himself, just as he came to the bottom of the slope, and began to enter into the River of Life.

All of a sudden, he saw two men running towards him, shouting at the top of their voices. “Christian! – Christian!” they cried “don’t go in – that river is too treacherous for you to traverse very safely” they yelled. Christian baulked – he hesitated and then asked “Why say you that this River of Life is dangerous, good sirs?”

Pliable said “We have it on good advice from Mr Legality, that this river is capable of taking your life before you will see its end”. “And” said Obstinate “why would you want to loose your life in a river for no good reason?” he queried. “Why don’t you just take the barge down as far as the town of Morality, and be happy there, why go all the way good Christian?

That is a simple matter my man – heaven cannot be found at the halfway marker. One MUST go all the way, in order to obtain true life, for it is far more than just morality, but it cannot be obtained by the works of human hands, and so the bargeman will not be strong enough to shoot the rapids on the downward side of the stream.” he stated, matter of factly.

Christian then saw that neither of them were genuine in their quest for life. “But the Lord of all this domain hath clearly declared unto us, his servants, that if we want to save our own life we will surely lose it first, and inherit a spiritual life in its stead” said Christian. “That is no excuse to keep out of it” he finished.

“Maybe not good Christian” said Pliable “but Mr Legality was equally as clear – you cannot be saved by grace alone – you MUST work for God or loose you eternal salvation. Floating down a river is not even considered by Mr Legality as an act of grace, let alone a work for God – you are wasting your time Christian, and placing your very life under threat.” said he. “Indeed, Christian, there are many good works to be performed here on dry land. Take for instance, the building of the Bishop’s church” finished Obstinate. “Yes,” said Christian, “but is that the same as building up the Lord’s church?” he queried.

At this juncture, Mrs Righteous came running along the river bank waving her arms above her head. “Not another one Obstinate” she wailed. “The last one we helped out, got into the River of Life, and we were only able to help for but a short time ” she bemoaned. “After that, he disappeared into the Valley of the Shadow of Death. He DID lose his life good Christian, and was never seen by us again!” she wept.

“Perhaps your sojourn together was but for a short time?” he asked “And maybe this River of Life MUST go down through the Valley of Death, so that those who make it through to the other side will, after they have shared in the fellowship of His sufferings, be conformed to the likeness of His death, and so thus qualify themselves for resurrection power. Indeed ” stated Christian” if the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, dwells in them, then He shall quicken their mortal bodies, and give them that very promise of our Lord Jesus Christ. No matter if they die once, but live again on the other side where eternal life doth begin.” and with that firm statement, Christian jumped into the River of Life, and began to float away towards the darkness of the Valley, away from their steady but tear filled gaze.

“I warned him, “blubbered Mrs Righteous ” but he wouldn’t listen – having to undergo all of those trials alone, why he could be shipwrecked, beaten for his faith or marooned, poisened by dadly snakes, judged wrongfully by others that he meets.” she stammered. “He could also fall amongst false brethren” said Obstinate” who could then distract him out of the way which the Lord of the place has decreed for his life” “He could also be tempted by the carnal attractions of Vanity Fair, that devilish entertainment venue, just up and around the corner from the Valley” whimpered Pliable.

At that moment along came ‘Soulman’ and said “Good riddance to bad fellowship!” He licked his lips and then said to the three before him “we have warned many a sojourner on this path of the dangers that may well befall them on their way to the Celestial City” he stumbled at these words “… but they’ve not listened, and have gone into the river, believing that the Lord of all this place will keep and sustain them on their upward journey. It would be so much easier if they just stayed with us for a while, and took their ease with good sleep and fine food. Why the ‘Bishop’ of this world would welocme them into his domain, if they would but settle down, and become a part of the furniture, but no, not them”
“Onwards and upwards” said Mrs Righteous “Onwards and upwards,” echoed both Pliable and Obstinate, as Christian rounded the bend and began to fall down the water slide. He hadn’t seen the rather large sign (because his back had been facing it as he had floated past.) “Welcome to the Water Slide” it said, glaring at all those who could see it, but all too often, and usually far too late!

“Yaaaaaaahh! yelled Christian, as he went into a vertical free fall, and things began to fall off of him. Firstly, his long term ailment of sinnus itis left his body, then his cigarettes fell from his top pocket, disappearing into the falls forever, then some extra pounds fell off of his back pack, and then finally his walking stick took the plunge, disappearing beneath the foaminbg waters of the waterslide below. Quickly, he looked around to see who was with him, and no one had taken the plunge with him. Of all the people he had just seen or spoken to, not one of them had followed him into the River of Life, for fear of the water slide and the death that came with it…

At that moment back at the field of Grace Abiding, Mrs Righteous made her move – and found that she couldn’t. In fact, all four of them realised for the first time, that they were indeed ‘stuck in the mud’  of the River bank. “Well, there’s got to be a reason for all of this nonsense!” she spluttered. “Yes” said Obstinate, stating the obvious, “err – uuhmm – I know! God is a God of times and seasons, and – aaahhmm – all we have to do is wait until… until…” he trailed off. “Wait until the tide comes in again and washes away all the built up mud…” finished Soulman.

Back downstream, Christian was now fully entered into the Valley, and was repeating the scriptures to himself, fully confident and trusting in the Lord of the place, that his journey was ordered of the Lord. “He delights in my way” Christian said to himself, and then began to say :

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”  (Psalm 23:4)

Meanwhile the tide from the City of Destruction had fully come in, and Soulman, Mrs Righteous, Pliable and Obstinate had begun to feel their feet coming loose from the mud of the River bank.

“AAAhh – that’s better” said Soulman. “I feel like I’m standing on firmer ground, ” said Obstinate” poor Christian, all he had to do was wait on God with us, and he’d still be here.”

“Yes” said Pliable “a little more flexibility in his thinking would have saved him.”

“That’s what you get for being on the narrow way” said Mrs Righteous ” It’s such a narrow entry, not even your friends and neighbours can fit through it – serves himself right – we told him.”

All of a sudden, they were drawn in the opposite direction to that which Christian had gone. “Help!!!” they yelled out in turn to those who were further up the bank “help – the River of Life is taking us away – Heeeeeelllpp!!!…” they yelled, as the River took them past the local school, where Christian had first got his taste for the things of God – where revival had first sprung up in his heart – underneath the main bridge in the City’s centre, and all the way out to sea. None of them were ever seen or heard from again…

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