Had a blessed time of fellowship with the "scum of the earth" in Austin last night at REMAR, a drug and homeless rehab. Was greatly refreshed by the Spirit.What came to mind during this was a bit obtuse, but I pray that the Spirit will show you what He showed me.
We were talking about Jesus walking on the water, various points were being made, etc. But what came to me was:
Mat 14:26-29 (NAS) And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were frightened, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And He said, "Come!"As we were all standing there in the 95% humidity outdoors, a smelly, motley crew of discordant voices singing in various keys, this is the other verse the kept coming to me:John 14:9 (NIV) Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?"Even so, it was hard to "discern the body of Christ". I would look around at the people, most not involved, a few overtly faking it, maybe a half-dozen praising in spirit and truth, and I would feel as if I could see Jesus, and then one of those Austin "grackle" crows would caw, and I would see a bunch of loons (myself included) out in a field singing camp songs. (I suspect this is part of the Austin disease, as this is not a common malady for me outside this city.)This went on and on, and in each wave I would focus in on one brother or sister and try to intercede, and found myself praying in strange tongues (even to me) and sensing the life and joy and glory of Christ in various ways.
"Jesus, are you a fleeting ghost? Lord, if it is You, command me to come!"
"Dean, don't you recognize me?"
