Lunch Thoughts: Angels...

Filled with a sense of wonder today, and for some odd reason, just a knowledge that we are spiritual. And we live in a spiritual realm, as much as we live in the physical.

I was trying to leave work yesterday, and for some reason, my brain was just a scrambled mess. I picked up one bag, and realized I hadn’t packed something. Put it down. Picked up the wrong thing. Put it down. Grabbed my keys and fidgeted for a second, put my keys down, grabbed another bag, and struggled with a zip. Realized the thing I wanted to pack was underneath this bag. Fumbled with the bag and the thing and the blasted thing wouldn’t fit into the bag. Unpacked the whole bag and re-packed it. Got the thing to fit. Fidgeted with my keys and carried on packing various things in various bags. Stopped to apply some lip balm and grab a mint. I gave an exasperated sigh at my ditzy behaviour, scratched my head and finally piled my bags over my shoulder.

Got to my car and received a text message. Took a minute to reply. Finally! I got going.

On my way home, my Dad called to tell me to avoid a portion of the highway because of an enormous and tragic accident that had literally just happened… I was about 2 minutes from the accident site.

This morning I was listening to a sermon where the pastor was talking about his experience with angels, having encountered more than a few in his life. He spoke about he had seen his prayers move angels – that he would speak the word of God, and angels would begin flurrying about carrying out God’s will.

Any funny enough, I’m sitting having lunch and lo and behold my iPod plays a song called “Fly”, by JasonUpton, which allegedly holds the recording of an angel singing toward the end of the song. (I’m a believer)

And so, I am filled with a sense of wonder, because it suddenly occurs to me that I was running late yesterday because that was God’s will. A chill runs over me, as I think about what could have happened, had I left on time and very possibly been involved in that high-speed horrific accident. My card isn’t up yet, and there are angels in the spiritual world, charging back and forth, to and fro, obediently and fervently obeying the God that Loves us, and making it their business to keep me alive.

Wow. Really? Me?

I’m not an angel-chaser, but it is pretty cool to be reminded that I serve the God who charges angel armies in my favour. What shall I fear? 

Indeed, what shall I fear?

P.S. In the video I shared, the angel is heard clearly at 5 minutes 50 seconds - sound technicians were unable to find the source of this beautiful tenor / soprano voice, as it came from Jason Upton's mic. A young boy in the audience spoke to a sound technician during the performance, claiming to have seen a very large man appear behind Jason Upton during the course of this lovely song. 
Believe it, don't believe it. Only God knows.

Honest Words

Some of you may know about my recent smash-and-grab incident, which I blogged about here, and here... Well, God's been good so good to me this past month, I didn't have much more than a week to wallow in self-pity. Thing is, He also sent me the right people, to say the right thing. And sometimes, you really just need to hear something that takes the sting out of life's disappointments. 

One such person left a giant footprint on my life, in the form of a letter that she sent to me a few days after the smash-and-grab incident. Her words soaked right up into my soul, feeling like a healing balm on an ugly wound. 

Here is the beautifully written (and I believe, anointed) words shared with me by a very dear friend, who chose to speak honestly, courageously and tenderly about the Father's care for His children - I've chosen to share this, because another friend of mine was attacked in the same way just this week... and I know there must be so many out there who may need to be reminded of this...: 

Just wanted to say that I know what you are feeling. I been there and pretty much lived in fear my whole life. Fear consumed me to the point of paranoia
The thing that changed my thinking and helped me control it was what my mom-in-law said to me. She said that the very thing that you fear controls you. And I thought screw that, nothing controls me, let alone fear - I am a child of Papa! 

God has charged his angels around me, they are not only there during the day but they are encamped around me at night. (I actually visualize them outside, setting up camp, poking a fire, drink in hand) lol. No weapon formed against me shall prosper either. Doesn't mean it won't be formed but if it is, it won't get anywhere. 

I know it is just words but that is why I decided to believe it literally, as a child would, so it could be real for me. Naive and wholeheartedly trusting in Papa's promises. Blindly believing as a child does in their parent. 

For all you know that guy bolted so fast from your car because he brushed an angels wing while diving for your bag. I love believing like that, reminds me how real Papa is.   

Anyhow... I know it takes time, but the key is to not let it consume you. Take control of it (whatever way works for you) and move on. Live free and secure in the fact that Papa, the King of kings has His eye on you. 

Love Letters in the Sky

Sometimes life (or God, as I believe) throws you a moment, or an experience, or an encounter... that you wish would last forever, that you pray you will never forget, and that you hope will be repeated in some way in the future. Sadly, we miss those moments completely - we get too busy, we think too much, we're rushing through life.

I am learning to slow down, and keep my eyes open for moments, experiences and encounters like that. I tiptoe over wet grass and take in the cold prickle between my toes. I try to pay more attention to people that I meet, note the colour in their eyes, the sound of their voice. I hold onto feelings of joy, revel in those feelings, allowing myself to giggle childishly and take note of what it feels like to smile.

One thing that I’ve recently become obsessed with is the sky. I stop and look at the sky, and find myself unable to tear myself away. A dear friend of mine once told me that the sky is like a blank page on which God writes love letters, morning, day and night. After some weeks of gazing upward every day, I am starting to believe this too.

The Heavens declare the glory of God;

The skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

They have no speech, they use no words;

no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes its circuit to the other;

nothing is deprived of its warmth

(Psalm 19 vs 1 - 6)

I wanted to share some of my Father’s love letters with you – these are images taken with my phone, over the last two weeks. He hasn’t failed to take my breath away, not one day. He is so in love with me.

And with you – I just know it.

Slow down friend.  
Look around.
Breathe in.
Look up.
Take it all in.
Father’s Love is everywhere.
Everywhere!  

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