Posts Tagged ‘word of knowledge’

Be Home By Christmas

Posted: December 17, 2013 in Be Home By Christmas, Charisma - Spiritual Gifts - A Divine Gratuity, Christmas Stories, Going Deeper - Hebrew and Greek Word Study Posts
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By Amy L. Hartmann

Hopelessness can attack anyone…even the strongest and bravest of hearts.  Death of a loved one, sickness, loss of employment, relationship conflict, loneliness, certain medications, extended periods of stress and even boredom can trigger feelings of malaise.  When life events compound any of these conditions simultaneously, deep depression is often the result.  Holidays often exacerbate this condition with a vengeance.  The realization that there is a need for professional help must often come from outsiders.

How we talk to ourselves during these times of emotional and possibly physical crisis also determines how quickly we rise above these feelings and regain our footing.  How we talk to ourselves also impacts how God responds to our needs during these times too.  We find countless examples of this concept throughout the Psalms written by David, the shepherd boy turned warrior – especially during his long season of running for his life.  Some biblical scholars say Saul, the reigning King, pursued David for almost 15 years seeking his extermination.

In 2009 my Jacksonville Mayapple Chapel home group hosts encountered such a challenging season.  Candy and Ed were lifelong sweethearts.  Married for over 60 years, their lives together had been rich and full of family adventure.  Sometime in early 2008-2009 Candy began to experience symptoms of Alzheimer’s.  Candy was a vivacious woman who loved to laugh and dance.  Candy was woman who dearly loved God.  At first, she was simply forgetful and distracted, but as spring commenced, she lost interest in food and she seemed to slip off into her own private world.  Ed was devastated.  As a man of faith, his on-going prayers were never ceasing but his circumstances began to overwhelm his stout heart.

Outside event scheduling over much of 2008 had caused the usual monthly gathering of friends at the Bateman home to fall off, such that for the first time in 26 years, the Mayapple Chapel home group did not meet on the first Friday of every month.  During that same spring Ed got sick and he was bed-ridden for weeks.  It was during this time that depression attacked.  At some point, his medication levels were totally out of balance and he took too much.  He wound up in Gainesville at the Veterans Administration hospital on the Psychiatric floor.

Life for me was very chaotic in the spring and summer of 2009.  We were into our first full year of homeschooling – suddenly I was teaching or facilitating high school, middle school and elementary school classes simultaneously.  The economy was reeling, the stock market was crazy; employers were laying off high level staff in record numbers.  May 4th saw my husband experience such a day from his senior partner position at one of the top 10 engineering firms in the nation.  Everything was shaking.

“My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me.  Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me…Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack.  My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me…have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.  I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed.”[1]

To be overwhelmed by life’s circumstances  – to lose heart or be faint hearted – is a biblical concept very applicable in today’s ever shifting world.  The Hebrew word for anguish of heart is interesting:  H#2342 – chuwl (khool) – means to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner); i.e. Specifically – to dance, to writhe in pain (such as childbirth) or fear; to wait, to fall grievously from pain or fear; to be wounded etc.[2]

David’s advice to himself as a fugitive in the wilderness (long before he became king):

  1. Surely God is my help[3]
  2. Cast your cares upon the Lord and He will sustain you[4]
  3. As for me, I trust in You (God) – what can man do to me? [5]
  4. I cry out to God Most High, who fulfills His purpose for me.[6]

Father’s Day, June 21st, 2009, a young man named Todd White showed up at our church’s Sunday night service.  Todd shared how God delivered him from years of crack cocaine addiction and drug use.  Todd said he wanted to pray for everyone with one leg shorter than the other.  My kids urged me to go forward.  I was in a built up right shoe to counteract the 1 inch difference with my left leg.  After Todd’s prayer, my right leg grew out the full inch it needed to be the same length as my left leg.  My eyes saw this miracle, and my heart and mind could not get over what I had felt, seen and experienced at that indescribable moment.  Wrecked by this paradigm shift, I began to view God in a whole new way.

In my time in choir, our worship leader (Kelanie Gloeckler) was unpacking the  concept of ascending in worship to hear the thoughts and songs heaven was saying – and singing over us, and then bringing them back down and releasing them into our atmosphere.  She learned this amazing concept during her time at Morningstar under the influence of Rick Joyner, Leonard Jones, Ray Hughes, Don Potter, Suzy Wills Yarai and other amazing leaders and musicians.  As a choir, over the summer of 2009, we were learning to ‘catch the song’ Jesus was singing over us.  We were working hard on the new music for Kelanie’s upcoming album recording in November, 2009.[7]

It was during this time I heard of Ed Bateman’s condition and his placement at the VA hospital in Gainesville, Florida.

“The Lord your God is in the midst of you, A Mighty One, A Savior (Who saves)!    He will rejoice over you with joy!  He will rest (in silent satisfaction) and in His love He will be silent and make no mention (of past sins, or even recall them)]; He will exult over you with singing.”[8]

The Hebrew word for exult H#1523 giyl (gheel) – means to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion); i.e. Usually gladness or joy; rejoicing.[9]  The picture here is of Jesus, rejoicing over us in His wild, crazy dance of love and approval.  Jesus advised the crowds (who followed him in his day) to pray in every situation and not lose heart.[10]

I began to pray earnestly for Ed and Candy.  I had not been to their house in a while because of my busyness.  I contacted the friend who shared Ed’s status and tried to work out how we could all go see him.  I knew he needed to see our renewed love and concern for him and for Candy.  Every attempt to schedule any trip to Gainesville was met with great conflict.  In mid October, Don Potter came to our church in Jacksonville.  He sang over our city and over our congregation, declaring many things.  It was then I began to hear a song for Ed.

One more unsuccessful attempt to see Ed caused us to decide to just make a trip over to see Candy.  She was still at their home and needing company and comfort too.  I called some of the other Mayapple Chapel friends and we decided to meet at Candy’s house on October 23rd (2009).  I was pleased to see the smiling faces of Janet Meyers and Roxie McLeod and several other friends.  We sat and visited with Candy for a short time but it was clear Candy didn’t fully remember us all or grasp why we were there.  We talked with her nurse, glad to hear that Candy was in good care in Ed’s absence.

It was at that moment, as our visit was coming to a close, I knew it was time to sing.  “I would like to sing for Candy before we leave,” I suddenly offered.  My friends were used to me singing with them and no one seemed uncomfortable with my request.

“That would be nice,” Janet and Roxie agreed.  “What would you like to sing?”

At that moment, the idea seemed so crazy but Ed was so far away, locked up on a psych ward with his own mental and emotional issues, so I just opened my mouth and lifted up my song:

“I’ll be home for Christmas….you can plan on me.

Please have snow and mistletoe…and presents on the tree.

I’ll be home for Christmas…just you wait and see…

I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.

Christmas Eve will find me…where the love light gleams.

I’ll be home for Christmas…BUT it won’t be a dream!”[11]

My friends looked at me, somewhat perplexed by my song choice; after all, it was October.  Not risking their censure, I repeated the chorus several times before they finally joined in, and soon Candy was singing along too.  The expression on each of their faces is still a picture I see in my mind.  We sang a few more hymns, which we knew Candy would love, and she seemed to cheer up with each chorus.  After we were done and getting ready to leave, Candy’s nurse thanked us for coming and we told her we would be back soon to visit with Candy again.  Our plans were to join her sometime around Thanksgiving.

On our way out to our cars, I tried to explain my strange choice of music and my change of words.   I told them about what I learned from Kelanie…how I could hear that song being sung over Candy and Ed by Jesus.  They appreciated my boldness, but I could see the unspoken questions in their eyes.  We all left, making plans to get back together in a couple of weeks.

It was sometime just before Thanksgiving I received an update from Janet and Roxie:  Ed Bateman was home and the family was planning a big gathering at Thanksgiving.  They felt it was too soon to have the whole Mayapple Chapel gang back over at the house for the monthly meeting, but everyone, including Ed seemed eager for us to gather again at Christmas.  Astonished, I hung up the phone.  I could tell from Roxie and Janet’s comments that they were just as impressed as me.

Christmas Day we gathered with Candy and Ed again to restart the Mayapple Chapel monthly gatherings.  Now everyone was finally back in place and the routine was reestablished.  It wasn’t a dream…Ed was back home, back from the brink of hopelessness and overwhelming depression.  Candy was smiling, even in her fog of Alzheimer’s.  The fellowship was restored and it was all because of the song of the Lord.

Image

Ed and Candy Bateman with Paul Walker, 2003

“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”[12]  

Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us and eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.[13]

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Notes:

G#1573 ekkakeo (ek-kak-eh’o) to fail (in heart); to be (bad or) weak hearted, faint, weary; to be despondent[14]

II Cor 1:2-7 (The God of all comfort – comforts us so that we can comfort others)

[1] [1] Psalm 55:4-5; Psalm 56:1-2; Psalm 57:1-2; “The Comparative Study Bible – The New International Version,” copyright 1999, Zondervan Publishing; Grand Rapids, MI; pages 1445, 1447, 1449.

[2] Hebrew no. 2342; chuwl; “Strong, James, “The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible’, copyright 1995, 1996; Thomas Nelson Publishers; Nashville, TN; page 41.

[3] Psalm 54:4; “The Comparative Study Bible – The New American Standard,” copyright 1999, Zondervan Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI; page 1445.

[4] Psalm 55:22; ibid; page 1447.

[5] Psalm 56:3; ibid, page 1447.

[6] Psalm 57:2; ibid, page 1449.

[7] Gloeckler, Kelanie, “Catch The Song”, copyright 2009; an awesome recording – available at http://www.kelanie.com.

[8] Zephaniah 3:17; “The Comparative Study Bible – The Amplified Version,” copyright 1999, Zondervan Publishing; Grand Rapids, MI; page 2380.

[9] Hebrew no. 1523; giyl; Strong, James; ibid; page 27.

[10] Luke 18:1; “The Comparative Study Bible – The New American Standard Version”; ibid; page 2657.

[11] Kent, Walter; Gannon, Kim; Ram, Buck; “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”; copyright 1943; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27ll_Be_Home_for_Christmas

[12] Zephaniah 3:17; “The Comparative Study Bible – The New International Version,” copyright 1999, Zondervan Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI; page 2381.

[13] II Corinthians 4:16-18; ibid, page 2961.

[14]Greek no. 1573; ekkakeo; Strong, James; ibid, page 28.

I Have No One Like You

Posted: November 23, 2013 in Charisma - Spiritual Gifts - A Divine Gratuity, Kindred Spirits, The Super in my natural...
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November 23, 2013

By Amy Hartmann

 

“For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.”[1]

Planted within the heart of every person lies the heart cry to be understood and respected by friends and peers.  However, within the very core of this desire resides a cellular cry for like-mindedness.  The power and force of unity plays out in every field of work and enterprise.  The nature of sports carries this same root concept.  Teams win or lose based upon the chemistry and connectedness of the individual players and their willingness to be united at this complex level of the soul.

The Greeks understood this in their culture and language.  Strong’s Concordance has this to say about isopsuchon, the Greek word the apostle Paul used in this expression of his heart:  G#2473 isopsuchos – (ee-sop’-soo-khos); of similar spirit, ‘equal-souled’; equally sensitive; likeminded.[2]

As I studied out this concept, I came across a great article in a blog by David Rogol.  He offers this compelling thought:

“Do you have a kindred spirit? Someone with whom you can share anything under the sun? Someone who thinks like you, believes like you, has the same attitudes and feelings as you? Someone who can finish your sentences and complete your thoughts? If you do then you are truly blessed in this life. If not, then perhaps you should ask God for a kindred spirit…”[3]

I have learned that kindred spirits come in all shapes and sizes.  I have likeminded friends in all age groups, and when I find a true kindred heart, it is my desire to cultivate and highly value their company and their time.  Sometimes God sends us animal friends who become kindred spirits.

I have always been an animal lover.  Cats, in their independent and often disdainful way, have been some of the most interesting creatures I’ve befriended.  In 2000, my 13 year old feline friend named Mouse, had to be put down because of illness.  I was grieving but I learned long ago the best antidote for such pain is to find a new pet.  When my husband first proposed in 1992, I made the following prenuptial declarations:  first and foremost, I am not a morning person; secondly, I don’t iron; and finally, I have cats.

By 2000, I had one busy husband and 3 energetic children – ages 2, 5 and 7.  Life was hectic and I knew the dangers of adding one more demand to my list of responsibilities.  Puppies and kittens are cute but they can also be very disruptive.  I did not feel like tackling such a project.  Shortly after Mouse’s demise, some choir friends of mine came to me and made the generous offer to give me their two cats.  My friend, Jill was 8 months pregnant with her second child.  Her life was complicated and demanding too.   Lily and Chaz, she said, were 2 year old cats from the same litter.  They both spent much time in the laundry room when the family was not at home.  Neither cat was very fond of the other and they both had been declawed.

The ages of the cats were acceptable to me, but I let Jill’s husband, Kurt know he had to get this cleared through my husband.  Kurt, not being a cat person himself, was perfectly willing to sell this idea with great enthusiasm.  Once permission was received, Kurt made a quick trip to our house bearing a not very happy pair of cats.  Jill was comforted to see Lily and Chaz go to such a good home.  They were her cats, after all, and she was less eager to part with their company than her cat hating husband.

DSCN1557 DSCN1603 DSCN3352

It was March of 2000 when this exchange took place and I welcomed the cat siblings with much tenderness and attention.  My kids were quite happy to have these new friends to chase around the house.  Soon Lily befriended my 2 year old daughter and Chaz settled his affections upon me.  Our friendship grew as Chaz fully accepted us as his new family.  Soon his desire to roam outdoors overwhelmed our ability to keep him inside.  With the kids running outside to play, eventually Chaz found his freedom and he was one happy cat.  His lack of front claws did not slow him down as he chased away any neighbor cat taking liberty in our yard.  As he matured, his size and weight increased.  By 2004, at 18 pounds, he was massive.  His size made him more like a small bobcat than a house cat.

His love of freedom took him through the entire neighborhood.  All we could do was make sure he had his collar and tags.  At some point in early May of 2004, Chaz offended neighbors across the street from us.  I was not aware of this situation.  Chaz disappeared and we did not see him; nor could we find him any where in the neighborhood.   Throughout this time, the kids and I prayed intently for his safety and his return.  May 23rd , 2004 I was drying my hair and lost in thought about my missing friend.  Suddenly, I heard this message in my heart:     “Chaz is at the pound.  Your neighbors captured him and had him taken away.”

At that same moment, in my mind I saw a black cage and I knew we had to hurry to rescue him.  I finished getting ready and then ran out to get the kids.  I told them about the message from God – the word of knowledge – the revelation I had just received.  That afternoon we went to the Humane Society, expecting to find our prisoner.  We searched in all of the cages, but Chaz was no where to be found.  I talked with an attendant and they explained that a trapped cat was probably at the pound, on the other side of Jacksonville.  The pound would be open until 6:00 pm.

I hurriedly looked at a map.  The pound was almost an hour away and we were in rush hour traffic.  Fearful for Chaz’ safety, we made the long drive to the Jacksonville Animal Control shelter and quickly hurried inside.  I had Chaz’ big dog collar and tags in my hand, since these had been found outside in our yard when he disappeared.

My oldest son found Chaz first.  “Mom, here he is,” Lorren called out.  I went to the cage but I didn’t recognize the cat at first.  His head was badly wounded from bagging his head against the trap.  He was very sick.  According to Animal Control records, he had been with them over three weeks and he was scheduled to go to the ‘chamber’ within a few days if not rescued.  I called out his name and his loud cry of response broke my heart.  My friend was so glad to see me.

As I was paying his fine and securing his freedom, the lady processing our papers saw his big collar and tags and she warned me about our not so friendly neighbor who had the cat trapped as a stray.  My heart fell as I thought about how close Chaz had come to sure death.  On the way home, we stopped at the vet to have him treated and checked over for the source of his sickness.  Our vet said he had a kennel virus that usually proved fatal.  Cats lost their ability to smell and their desire to eat.  Chaz was down to 14 pounds and his fever was high.  The vet said if I could get the cat to eat, then it stood a chance of surviving.

Several weeks passed as I syringe fed Chaz every bit of liquid I could get into his mouth.  One evening I roasted a chicken in the oven and used olive oil for the basting.  Chaz came into the kitchen when I pulled the food out of the oven.  He meowed and seemed interested in the smell for the first time since his rescue.  By this time, his weight was down to 12 pounds and he looked terrible.  Once dinner was over, I took the roasting juices left in the bottom of the roasting pan and mixed them with some mashed potatoes.    I fed this to Chaz.  I could hear his stomach growling as the liquid made it down his throat.  Happily he began to purr.

Later that evening, he had a new level of energy as he joined me on the couch once the kids were all in bed asleep.  I fed him again with this liquid over the next few days and soon he began to recover his appetite.  By mid June, he was eating again and regaining some weight.  All my hands-on-care had further deepened his attachment to me.  As soon as he came in from being outside, he would begin to call for me.  The kids would laugh and say, “Chaz loves his mommy.”

Copy of DSCN0983-1  This past February, 2013, Chaz started having trouble eating.  By now he and his sister were 15.  Our family had been through so much transition with our move from Jacksonville in 2011 and then the unexpected departure of my husband in September of 2012.  The kids and I were in a state of shock and hurt over the marriage breakdown.  We were also in the fog of trauma.  We were all going through the motions of living, but grief and hurt kept us all trapped in our own emotional cages.

DSCN8009  We prayed continually for Chaz’ recovery.  I offered him all sorts of food changes to try and get him to eat.  Slowly he got thinner and sicker.  There were no funds to take him to the vet.  I knew if he had a terminal condition the vet would just say to put him down.  All I could do was pray.

March 5th, it began to snow heavily and I could tell Chaz was finally beginning to languish drastically.  I made a bed for him in my bedroom on a shirt of mine he favored.  I could hear him through the night as he struggled.  I spent much time with him, holding him and talking to him.  He made it through the night but finally died about noon.  His last bit of strength he used to climb into my lap one more time.  I told him what a special friend he had been to me and how much I loved him.  It was then I began to weep.

Suddenly we all were weeping as the kids joined me at his bed.  Our thoughts and conversation went back to that day in May of 2004, when God spared Chaz.  Our tears seemed to open up a new level of healing.  As we wept and grieved together, something changed.  The next day, I went outside in the snow and cleared a spot under my bedroom window.  As I dug away the snow and the dirt, I realized that Chaz’ passing was part of the plan too.  We needed him in death as much as he needed us in life.  We needed something greater than the pain of the past to push us out of the emotional trap that settled down upon us.

I journal in most of the margins of my Bible.  My life is written among the pages.  Philippians 4 carries my note of the goodness of God to rescue Chaz on May 23, 2004.

“It was good of you to share in my troubles…not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content whatever circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry.  I can do all things through Him who gives me strength...and my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”[4]

[1] Philippians 2:20; “The Comparative Study Bible – The New American Standard,” copyright 1999; Zondervan Publishing; Grand Rapids, MI; page 3019.

[2] Isopsuchos, Greek Number 2473; Strong, James; “The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible,” copyright 1995, 1996, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN; page 44.

[3] Rogel, David; “Do You Have A Kindred Spirit”; published May 3, 2011;  http://calvary4u.blogspot.com/2011/05/do-you-have-kindred-spirit.html; accessed 11-21-2013.

[4] Philippians 4:10-20 paraphrased, The Comparative Study Bible – The New American Standard,” copyright 1999; Zondervan Publishing; Grand Rapids, MI; page 3025.