Between Mizpah and a Rocky Crag pt. 1

      Mizpeh… watchtower. The place of seeking the Lord, fasting, prayer, and sacrifice. The place we are called to on a daily basis: morning by morning to ask for the Lord’s mercies and offer the sacrifice of our hearts before Him. Mizpeh… 

      It was as Israel congregated in a place called watchtower that the enemy made its advance. While in that quiet place with God, the Philistines drew near to do battle with God’s children. The fact that an enemy comes upon us does not mean that we are not within the shadow of communion. The Guardian of our souls can deliver just as ably when His children are gathered at Mizpeh.

      Deliverance, swift and deafening, bolted to the aid of weakness. Just when I need Him. Jesus is near. 

      In answer to the cry of faith, the cry of those who trust in Him, God moves. Mizpeh is a place of refuge. A place of retreat. A place of sacrifices, personal sacrifices. Sacrifices of the heart. Surrender. Mizpeh: a place of commitment to God.

     Neglect to go to Mizpeh, — neglect the means of deliverance. We should no more skip our Mizpeh than we should skip getting dressed in the morning. Israel’s experience of deliverance can be ours as well, but not without its experience of surrender.

      Experience the surrender, experience the deliverance. Know Mizpeh. 

For soon, you may meet a rocky crag...

Elmshaven - A Place of Sacrifice

A place of history... a place of commitment... a place of sacrifice.

Flowers do not cease their blossom in a place of sacrifice. At the age when many seek retirement and relief from caring labor, Mrs. White continued her toil in the gospel field. Letters, book writing and editing, an incredible amount of preaching, a steady stream of guests, visitation, evangelism, medical missionary work filled her life.

Early morning hours were no strangers to Mrs. White. This is the chair in Mrs. White's bedroom in which she often studied and wrote.

One of the tile bordered fireplaces of the home.

Much was written during Mrs. White's time at Elmshaven. Volumes 6-9 of Testimonies for the Church; The Ministry of Healing; Gospel Workers; & Education among other books; numerous articles, and letters written from a heart that loved her Savior, a heart that shrank not from sacrifice.

How can a person live so continually for God and others? How can a person  endure constant sacrifice? 

When sacrifice springs from love, love creates its perception. Love engulfs it, turning it into something unimaginable. The sacrifice is still there, but the eyes look higher. They see the Love that changes any offering into privilege, and sacrifice to joy.

The carriage often took Mrs. White to her neighbor's doors, to visit them, pray for, and encourage them. 

Elmshaven may be a National Historic Landmark, but history is passed. Yes, Elmshaven saw sacrifice... and it also saw love... A deep love for humanity and for the One Altogether Lovely... An active life lived from love for God's service. But what of Your-haven and My-haven? Do we know sacrifice?

Do we know Love?

Praise God!

      The day after... 

      To see such love to the lovers expressed in service... hard work... coordination... practice... prayers... faith... from so many precious people. It's a memory that I will cherish. 

      Words fail. What can I say but Praise God? 

            Indeed, words may fail, but our God will not. Did not. Has not. No, never.

Praise God.

Happy Sabbath!

Happy Sabbath day of rest!

- Of all the week the utmost best

This day contains sweet peace for all,

Of those who heed its' restful call

To end a week so full and long,

Begin it's hours with joyful song

For 'tis the day to spend with One,

Who loves us as His only Son!

Blessed are they...

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness...

For all whose hearts are yearning food,
A table has been set
It's bounties fill the multitude,
With surplus yet unmet
But to receive of Heaven's fare,
A hungered you must be
Desiring in the meal to share,
Is for fulfillment key

For some it's thirst that overwhelms,
-That's never satisfied 
But there is water from the realms,
Of One who will provide 
This living, flowing stream of streams,
Holds more than worlds could need
But though it bountifully teems,
Thirst must compel indeed

A heart will not desire sup,
That knows no need of food
Nor will it seek a laden cup,
If thirst it's never viewed
Then give me hunger, grant me thirst,
That Lord, for You I'll crave
Oh may my soul's desire burst,
With longings that You gave!

...for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

A Humble Vessel

      “Boioioing kirclink!” As I grab my travel-scarred water bottle, my ears are greeted with the familiar clink of unscrewing stainless steel. My canteen is in ongoing service. Day in, day out, it travels with me. A humble vessel? Yes, but treasured for what it holds.

      The particular type of water bottle that I happen to be blessed with is not quiet. It clinks before you drink, and it clinks after you drink, and it clinks if it experiences too sudden contact with a hard surface. Does this particular character flaw stop me from utilizing the container? No. The vital part is internal. Would the bottle be easier to use if it was quiet? Yes, but it can still be used for good. 

      The vessel may have defects, but the precious contents would be lost if it were discarded. Each container is important because it has the potential to hold pure, living Water. There is a Fountain with an unending supply. The limiting factor is with the containers. It was so in Elisha’s day, and it is so today. 

      “Boioioing kirkleclink!” I drink again. Thankfully in the christian life, there is growth. While my bottle will not be growing out of it’s clinking any time soon, by the grace of God you and I have that blessed opportunity. Giving what we possess, we can be vessels unto the honor of God and saving of souls. But what we hold is of vital importance. Is it life-giving, refreshing draughts of the Savior? Or is it the cares of this life? Of what do we think? Of what do we speak? Of what do we dream and plan to accomplish?

      "Fill the whole heart with the words of God. They are the living water quenching your thirst." - {CE 57.1}. Let us strive to be vessels, however humble, but filled with LIving Water.

The Thorns

      “Ouch!” As the thorn makes itself a new dwelling place in my finger I grimace. “This fruit would be so much easier to pick if it weren’t for these things!” I pull on the offending piece of vegetation. My inward dialogue continues. “The picking is so good… and some of the best fruit is the most difficult and painful to grasp.” I move around the bush to get an easier hold of some berries. 

      Wait. Am I really doing that? Picking only the fruit that is obtained with little pain? Spiritually speaking... do I want all the benefits of Christianity — Christ-like living, without so much as the thorns of Christ’s crown? 

     Christ’s yoke is easy and His burden light. He promises “an hundredfold” in this life, and eternal life to come. Yet, at times there seems to be pain between us and the precious fruit of righteousness. 

      …If heaven considered thorns a thing to be avoided, where would we be? In the presence of greater pain than any piece of rubus fruiticosus could inflict, Christ valued the fruit of souls as something worth the pain to gain. To God, You are more valuable than price of pain.

      What about us? What value do we place upon salvation? Either for ourselves, or another, are thorns enough to squelch our desire for fruit? 

      A very wise author wrote,“If the thing you desire is valuable, it is worthy of a strong, earnest effort… If it costs you something to obtain it you will prize it more when obtained.” - {Pr 108.4}. Salvation… souls… the Savior… these are worth the thorns. What do you say?