Make a comfy place

This morning the Lord asked me if I would like to dwell in cramped quarters. Odd I thought "what does He mean?" I answered "uh no Lord why?"

Then He explained with a picture of a Lazy Boy!!

It was as if He was telling me to set aside more room in my heart for the Holy Spirit to really get comfy. He lead me to examine how much of my heart I really offer to Him. He showed me there's more room in there and that I struggle to give it all over.

He gave me this picture imprinted in my mind of the Holy Spirit lounging, arms stretched out wide and feet propped. No ordinary folding chair will do. If I want all He has, I need to give Him enough room in me to reside in comfort. OK maybe it's a really natural way of looking at it but hey it works for me!

Besides every good host knows if you want to keep company then you need to make them feel comfortable and welcome. I'm aiming for not only a big chair but that He kick off His shoes and stick around in jammies and slippers too!

I challenge you to see if you have a folding chair, a Lazy Boy or anything in between. Is there more room?

I bet there is He's pretty big you know!

I am praying for a whole lot of Lazy Boys at Echo!

Smells like HOLY Spirit...

"...an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the LORD"
Lev 1:9, 13, 17; 2:2, 9, 12; 3:5, 16; 4:31... etc

Sometimes when we approach a passage for study and teaching, a certain word or phrase shines so brightly for us that we can't help but key in on it. This week's portion, Lev 1:1-6:7, contained such a phrase for me, as you can see above. Tomorrow morning, Echo's kids will explore what it means to offer God a "soothing aroma" sacrifice today, particularly in light of Christ's fulfillment of the blood atonement for sin. I'm really looking forward to teaching that lesson!

Right now, however, I'm pondering the phrase itself... "soothing aroma." For you Hebrew fans, it's reyach nichoach... the first time we see it in Scripture is in Genesis 8:21, when Noah offers a sacrifice from among the animals on the ark after the flood.

Did you pick up on that? God had just saved these animals from the flood. What was Noah thinking? It ocurred to me that this sacrifice was no ordinary "hey thanks for saving me, God" sacrifice.

First, of course, let's note that there were 7 pairs of each clean animal, compared with the 2 pairs of each unclean animal. It seems God had provided extra animals for a purpose. Did He tell Noah to offer them? I don't know. But I wonder... when we're given extra of anything... money, time, etc... what do we do with it? I know what I typically do... I cry "BONUS!" and delight myself in the treat. I'm being challenged right now by Noah's sacrifice... to examine the "extras" in my life for perhaps a purpose other than my own pleasure.

Huh. That's a fresh revelation, folks... I wasn't planning to type that at all.

Sweet! Talk about bonuses...

Okay, here's where I was heading before that Holy Spirit sidetrack. Noah's sacrifice was made in faith... and I daresay, in hope and love as well. Faith, that God would multiply the remaining animals... hope, that the sacrifice would please Him... and love, that highest love, laying down your life for our Best Friend.

Eh, there it is again... laying down my own life, my own pleasure... Okay, Lord, I give up, I'm not going to try to make the point I was going to make when I started this post! Here You go, it's all Yours...

When we lay our own pleasure down for His, He is delighted, and it's a pleasing aroma for Him. The joy we experience is richer, deeper. It's different to be sure... it never will be that delight that we tend to pursue here in the natural... it's an acquired taste.

Look again at the Hebrew for a moment... reyach nichoach...

Reyach: scent, fragrance, from RUACH ... breath, spirit.

Ah... BREATH. This aroma is something He breathes in. God inhales? Apparently so. He inhales the scent of our burning flesh, our lives pressed (but not crushed), our bodies as living sacrifices. And what does this do for Him? It's a reyach nichoach...

Nichoach: soothing, restfulness, from the same as Noah's name. It delights Him, it is soothing, evoking restfulness for Him.

Dare I go here? Eh, sure, let's go, permission or no from any human readers, if there are any...

He rests in US, in our sacrifice, the sacrifice that follows Christ's example. He rests on the seventh Day, after Man's day is set aside. HIS rest, the rest we long to enter, is found in our laying down our lives, wrapping up OUR day, our "me" time.

"Take my yoke upon you... and you will find rest for your souls..."

Rest... ah, we know another Hebrew word for that don't we? Sure...

SHABBAT.... SHABBAT SHALOM, dear Echo. Cling to His hand, pursue His terribly beautiful face, and may you find yourself surrounded by His fire as He finds you an acceptible, yet living, sacrifice...

Inhale. Exhale. Breathe, Papa... breathe us in, breathe in us...

Echo's Tabernacle

We've been studying the instructions for the tabernacle of the Lord, and this week the kid's church added the "glory".. the pillar of fire over the tent! Wow!!

Our building... and our fleshly "tents"... are temporary, just as this model of the tabernacle will some day be put aside. In the meantime, though, the Lord is pleased to let His glory to rest on us, and to let His treasure fill these earthen vessels...

We love You Lord, oh, teach us how to love...

Beyond the Veil

Daphne and I are doing something "wrong" here at the Wall in Jerusalem... we have turned our backs to the sacred place. The women behind us, when they were done praying, would back away from the wall until they got to a point (never figured out what that point was) where they felt they weren't disrespecting the place by showing it their backside.

It took me a while to pick a picture for this entry... I wanted something that depicted the veil and the glory that fades vs the glory that doesn't fade. Paul says the servants of the gospel have unveiled faces (1 Cor 3:13) and that the glory on these faces doesn't fade like that of Moses. So, why this picture?

Well, the glory that faded is pictured behind us... the temple, the physical place of worship that was destroyed, not by human hands, ultimately, but by God's hand. The glory of the Law is tremendous indeed, worthy of awe and fear, because that glory, the glory of God as a consuming fire... has the power to kill.

But this new glory Paul speaks of... ah, well, that glory brings LIFE... does it still consume? You betcha. But because of our High Priest who entered the Holy of Holies "once for all" the veil has been torn, and we can walk unashamed, unafraid... certain of His resurrection power, and secure that His glory rests on us for all eternity. Moses exemplified insecurity, and ultimately, a faith based on sight. We walk with a greater glory, thanks be to God, and this treasure in earthen vessels is meant to SHINE!

So SHINE, Echo... He is in your midst, and He adores you. Shine, like a child whose Daddy loves her and delights in her little dance. Shine, like a young woman who for the first time realizes the one she has a secret crush on... likes her too. Shine, like a Bride on that Glorious Day... and someday, may you also shine with His Seed in you, as a woman with child, and then, as a new mother...

Ah, beautiful, beautiful...

Shabbat Shalom

Shabbat Shalom

May His glory rest on you as you rest in Him this Shabbat...


Art used by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site, http://revelationillustrated.com/.

Lately my prayer time has changed dramatically. I have a new hunger to know God and to experience Him in a way that I can't seem to obtain. It's as if there is an invisible ceiling I can't seem to get through. I am always thinking about the Law and the Spirit.

Psalm 119:34 has been a daily prayer of mine,
"Give me understanding and I shall keep the law with all my heart."

I know the law is LOVE...
Love God and love people, Dt 6:4-5 and Lev 19:18. I know the law is to be upon my heart. I understand all of this in my head yet I find myself fighting to do it every day. I pray as our pastor does regularly that He teach us to love.

I am learning and growing everyday and looking back I can see the work that has been done. Thank God for what He has finished! There is soo much more that needs to be done. I know that the work He has began in me will be brought to completion (Phil 1:6).

I can't do this He has to with the fullness of Spirit. I am little in strength.

I don't know if this year's Pentacost will mark me will an infilling and baptism of Spirit. I can't bear to focus on that today. I must admit it's because I don't want to be disappointed if it doesn't happen this year. I sooth myself by asking and answering these questions...

Ques- "Do I trust God to do all things in His perfect time?"
Ans- "Yes!"
Ques- "If He doens't ever decide to fill me with all of His Spirit will I turn back?"
Ans- "NO!"
Ques- "Tomorrow after tomorrow will I still choose Him?"
Ans- "Yes!"
Ques- "Why?"
Ans- "because He alone is YHWH!"

This year I am going to focus my fast on being holy as He is holy...

For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am holy.
Lev 11:44

After He uttered the Law to Israel He told them His desire was to make them His own...

'Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'
Ex 19:5-6

I am asking Him to set me apart for holiness everyday. I am choosing to be set apart. As I prepare for this year' fast I will ask how I can I be set apart and holy? I will try to replace the common unholy things of my life with His Law. I will look for opportunities to love Him and His people.

I stand in my own way, there is no invisible ceiling, only myself. My common unholy ways are disguised as an invisible ceiling. Jesus made the way and removed the barriers. I need to press in to Him with or without a fullness of Spirit so that His prayer to the Father may be answered in me...

that they may all be one; even as You, Father, {are} in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, John 17:21

I now understand why the desert experience is essential to growth before the promise land. There is nothing to turn to in the desert but the Great Shepherd alone. The focus is on Him and provision from His hand is the only thing that sustains life. We don't live in the desert, our lives are full of all the world has to offer and we lose sight of Him. Can we live in the world and yet live the lives of those who are in the desert? I aim to try! I am preparing for a desert walk. Anyone want to come along?

Whatcha Buildin?

According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Where some may see a serious warning, do you see a glorious gospel? I'm not talking about the Gospel, the Good News of salvation through Christ, but the good news of the life that is promised beyond salvation...

There's more folks. There's meaning in what we do now, and in what we choose to build with. Are you building with wood, hay, straw? That is, are you building with natural, temporal things like your own will and personal strength? Then I suppose this ought to be a passage of warning. But if you are dying daily for the sake of your treasure, Who is in heaven... that is, if you are building with Faith, Hope, and most of all, Love (by which we lay down our lives)... If you are building with eternal materials, then like Job, you can look forward with confidence, saying...

"Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I shall see God" Job 19:26

What is that greatest treasure? The very presence of God. Pursue Him with all your heart, little echo. Great is your reward in heaven... His Face, and in His Hand you will be a crown of beauty...
You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, And a royal diadem in the hand of your God. Isaiah 62:3

Shabbat Shalom, little bride...

Beholding Beauty (Echo Women's Retreat 2009)

One thing I ask of the LORD, that I may seek; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD... Ps 27:4

One thing... Oh Father, may You be the only One I seek, may my desire and delight be found in You first and only.

I ask... Oh Father, I know that this can only come from You... increase my hunger for You, draw me close to You, turn me that I may turn.

Dwell in the house... Oh Father, may I be Your house, Your dwelling place, a place for Your light and Your glory to rest, and a place of shalom and beauty for Your people.

All the days of my life... Oh Father, I now know that I need not wait for some far-off day and time, I can pursue Your presence NOW, and so I do, with all my heart (that is, all that I can give right now! Oh, help me to give You more!)

To behold the beauty of the LORD... To see (behold) and to declare (BEHOLD!) and to be (be holding) Your beauty, in the world, and among my precious brothers... and my sweet, sweet sisters...

Wait for it...

Ever get dry? Is the water ever scarce and bitter? Ever start to doubt your path a little bit, wondering if you should go back to where you were before, where at least you weren't starving in the desert? Ever wonder, "Is God with me or not?"

Then they came to Elim where there were twelve springs of water and seventy date palms, and they camped there beside the waters. Exodus 15:27

Just beyond Meribah, where the Israelites tested the LORD, grumbling about the water... just beyond the place of scarcity and bitterness was a place of abundance and fruitfulness.

Next time we're tempted to grumble, dearest family... let's look up and look ahead... let's remember that He has a TOV KASHAV... a GOOD PLAN, not just for us and our individual little lives, but for the whole Body. Let's remember WHY we are not to be grumblers...

Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life... Philippians 2:14-16

Let's stand out, showing those in the darkness what extravagant love is... and one way we do this is by refraining from complaining. Complaining is speaking death... let's not do that, okay? Instead, let's speak life to those around us, and let's speak life ALL the time, especially within the Body of Christ.

So what if the water is bitter right now... there is hope... Elim is just ahead... The question isn't, "Is God with me or not?" but rather, "Do I trust Him or don't I?"

Rest in His peace, Echo... that is, Shabbat Shalom!

Water pipe repair Feb. 25th 2009

3 hours later the job is down! PTL!

Ps 46:10 "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Cease striving...

Cease trying to force decisions. You AREN'T stuck, you're just being still for a moment. It won't kill ya... well, maybe it'll kill some of that prideful, independent attitude of yours, the one that says "I am fully capable of making my own decisions, thank You very much. You may comfort me when I'm hurting, but don't mess with my daily life choices. I've got those covered."

Cease trying to be religious. Superstition is unbecoming one who serves a living God. But wait, if you aren't really interested in SERVING Me and Shama'ing MY voice--if you're just interested in belonging to a moderately respectable little club--then go right ahead, follow your superstition. It might give you a little comfort for now.

Cease trying to prove anything. I know your heart. Be Tammim. If the world doesn't get it, SO WHAT? They didn't get Me either. Get over it and just BE LOVE.

Cease trying to protect yourself. Am I not your refuge?

Hey you. Yeah you. I'm right over here. Are you weary? Are you heavy-laden? C'mon, sit with Me a little while. Maybe even a whole Day. Become My help-meet, and you will find rest for your soul.

I love you.

Shabbat Shalom, Princess...

Ok I admit Iv'e said it already but for some reason my thoughts continually return to the Inauguration.

In that one hour I felt heavy grief, fear, hope, trust, renewed faith and comfort that comes only through His Words.

Parts of the speeches emphasized the religious diversity of American citizens. I understand that freedom of religion is a constitutional right. That's not what stirs me.

Maybe I'm overly sensitive however, I felt that it was implied that it doesn't matter which god you serve because all beliefs are equal in the eyes of this our nation founded in liberty for all. This ideology is troubling to me. I admit I don't discriminate against any one's right to serve their Asherah or Baal. Far be it for me to take religious freedom from anyone. This country promises it and God Himself gives free will to all mankind.

What troubles me is the notion that all these beliefs and their gods are equal.

All men are created equal yes.

I am equal with my fellow citizens but my God, He's not equal to my fellow citizens' gods.

My God is way bigger! He's El Elyon !

It's my God who created us equal! The gods made by man are not equal to my God!

I wanted to share the simple words that He spoke to comfort me. They resignate in my soul and in my heart each time I feel uneasy thoughts and emotions about these implications of our fellow citizens' gods being equal to YHWH...
(I do love it that He reminds me over and over and over, I often need that)

Shema Israel Adonai (YHWH) Eloheinu Adonai (YHWH) Echad.

Hear O Israel the Lord (He-Who-Is) our God, is one Lord (He-Who-Is).

AMAN (I believe it's true), THANK YOU YHWH, Our God the One Who Is.

Hear, O Israel,(and United States of America)!
The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!

God has a TOV KASHAV!

Ir David

That is... The City of David...

The story of the City of David began over 3,000 years ago, when King David left the city of Hebron for a small hilltop city known as Jerusalem, establishing it as the unified capital of the tribes of Israel. Years later, David's son, King Solomon, built the First Temple next to the City of David on top of Mount Moriah, the site of the binding of Isaac, and with it, this hilltop became one of the most important sites in the world. (From the http://www.cityofdavid.org.il/ website)

In case you didn't catch it, the City of David is the original Jerusalem... a "baby Jerusalem" if you will. The city before it became The City.

Standing outside this city a couple of years ago, I must say, the actual site is, shall we say... not so impressive. Especially after spending 9 days looking at old cities, it really just looked like another old city. Sorry, it's just not my thing ;-) Now, don't get me wrong; I was all kinds of properly reverent regarding the historical significance, etc, but looking around I had pretty much the same sense I had on the whole trip: "He ain't here" (well, at least not in any way that He isn't with me all the time!)

But as we listened to the lecture on the City of David, I looked over at my new friend Renae, and over her head, way up in the sky, was a sweet little sight that made me smile:

Look closely... do you see the tiny rainbow? :) Today, as I ponder "baby" Echo, and how singularly unspectacular we kind of are (again, don't get me wrong, you all know I ADORE this little body!)... I ponder that little rainbow over little old Ir David, and I remember God's promise... of a New and Glorious City-to-Come... and a New Day, a Shabbat for us to enter, and a New Name that will rest as a gentle blessing on the heads of those who "have a little power, and have kept (His) word, and have not denied His name." (Rev 3:8-12)
Stand firm, little Echo. Remember His promises, keep His Word, persevere, and do not give in to the temptation to deny His name...
And this weekend, may you Shabbat in Shalom. You are loved.

SHHH-MMM-AAAHH!!!

This Sunday, I think I laughed the most I've ever laughed in a church service. Thanks, Echoes, for following me in that kooky exercise where each of us made ridiculous sounds until the plan was revealed, and with some timing and restraint applied, the noise turned into something meaningful... SH-MM-AH ZZ-RR-AH-EL (the final sound left for God Himself to add, just as He will in the end crown His Son's Bride).

Praying and laughing together... eating YUMMY pudding from kids church (the "good plan" recipe using ingredients that by themselves aren't all that yummy) ...hanging out together after service, chatting...



...while Matt and Joey do their Bible thang...

As for me, I was in my own little zone after service, keeping my body busy so that I wouldn't be distracted from the state of continuous prayer and preparing my heart for Echo Detroit.

Ah, Echo Detroit...

The kids enjoyed kids church SOOO much! We learned about the star the wisemen followed, and we made gifts to give the Baby King. Tiarra offered Him Love, and AndreYa gave Him her heart. Aubrie and Lucy were more practical, figuring He'd need a house and baby food. Andre wanted to give Him a hug, and I, well, I gave Him a ring...


It was a precious foundation, this first meeting. I look forward to sharing more news as He continues to work in this "hidden" church...

Echoes everywhere.... good-night-I-love-you-God-bless-you-sweet-dreams!

Shabbat Shalom Lecha Dodi

"Shabbat Shalom Lecha Dodi" that is, Sabbath peace to You, my Beloved.

All over the world, people are welcoming the "Sabbath Bride," a mystical personification of the Sabbath. This notion of a Sabbath Bride or Queen has deep roots in the Scriptural understanding of this lovely Day that our Lord looks forward to with intense delight.

He longs for the Wedding Feast, and the Day in which the Bridegroom whispers to His Bride, "Come, lie down with me in Rest." And She responds, "Willingly, my Beloved!"

May we also call His Sabbath a delight, as we look forward to His Coming. And until then, may our relationship with the Father continue to blossom...

Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
Thru the storm, through the night, lead me on to the Light
Take my hand, Precious Lord, lead me home.

Ah Precious Lord, I know how prone I am to wander, to skip ahead, or to lag behind. Hold my hand, Dear Papa... let me walk with You. And please don't let go of my hand.

Until all this is sorted out, and we behold the Beloved face to face... Let us greet each Sabbath with faith, hope, and love... Faith that He has paid our Bride-price, hope in His return, and Love... Love for Him first, above and before anyone or anything else.

Erchamcha, Adonai... (I love You Lord) and Shabbat Shalom to YOU, my Beloved!

Oh... heh heh... and to you too, all you Echoes near and far. You are loved.

Christmas Eve Traditions

	Ahh... the Ufolla family Christmas Eve tradition, new jammies.
	Every year before leaving for service we open one gift on Christmas eve, always our new Christmas jammies.
	This year ECF did not hold Christmas service. We were challenged to do Christmas differently. Specifically, we were challenged to go out and be a part of the larger household of faith. I wasn't sure how to do it, no I didn't want to do it! Bob knew how and he didn't even realize he was doing it or was supposed to. Allow me to explain...
	While shopping for our jammies Bob suggested including Rochelle in our family tradition ...
	He Enjoyed picking out just the right shirt for our wise pastor. It's an inside joke I will share only upon request.
	It's official she's now a fully integrated part of the Ufolla clan. She has completed the Christmas Eve rite of passage and received her goofy jammies to prove it (she bears the mark of Hello Kitty along with Kaitlin and myself).
	The boys sport their new jammie shirts. Hello Kitty just didn't seem appropriate so...
	Game on, Wii jammies for the boys.
	Rochelle sports her new mop slippers and ponders the experience. A few days later... Bob and Rochelle were discussing the jammies and Bob made a statement about the shirt he got for "HIS" pastor!!

Hmm "HIS" pastor!

Yup, Christmas Eve this year was different and made a mark on more than those who gathered together in the different church buildings for services. God used my husband to show me how to be a part of the larger household of faith. It's as simple as including someone into to your Family. You know God can and will use anyone to teach us. In the process I believe He's doing more than just teaching me, why else would Bob claim anyone as "HIS" pastor?

Christmas Service w/o expectations!

Jeff, Eli, AndreYa (back to camera), Joey, Isaac, Aubrey, Zeke

Jeff, Isabella, Joey, Zeke

Bob, Jeff, Isabella

AndreYa (back to camera), Jeff, Eli, Joey, Isaac, Isabella/Amy, Zeke

Isabella

Zeke, Aubrey

Jeff, Eli, AndreYa

Joey, Andre Jr, Zeke, Aubrey

Rochelle, Tiarra, AndreYa, Aubrey, Andre Jr, Andre Sr, Antonio, Jeanita, Joey

AndreYa, Andre Jr, Jeanita, Kaitlin, Isabella, Joey