setting captives free

(click here to view this dramatic piece by edward poitras in the context presented)

it's always interesting to monitor just how things link up.

a deterministic theology? perhaps.

here's the thing: whether we believe in coincidence or co-incidents, there is a challenge for us to do something with events, words etc that seem to harmonize with each other, taking us in a single direction. just as many streams form one great channel to the sea, these complimentary happenings serve as invitations to consider glory, design and the will of God.

for him who has ears, let him hear, right?

so this sunday, as part of our 'turning towards the kiss of God' we were moved to look into 2 Chronicles 7.1-16 and meditate with singing upon the words:

If we'd ask, you would come.

Lord send your rain on everyone

That we'd see your glory here.

and on monday i received the email message below which deals with a movement across the country to set the captives free: free from the bondage of non-forgiveness.

what might God be whispering through these co-incidents?

if God is speaking, what can we do to be part of the great channel of unity, restoration and deep social, spiritual and cultural healing that God longs to bring to this land and these peoples,

regardless of ethnicity,

regardless of shameful backstory,

regardless of the obscene injustices that have been inflicted in his name by one people upon many others...

the restoration of broken relationships and identity sets those on both sides of a conflict free by God's grace.

***

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

(2 Chronicles 7:13, 14)

Saskatchewan call to 3 days of prayer and fasting
February 11, 12, 13, 2010

February 13 Gather corporately to pray

Regina
Healing Hearts Ministry
766 Angus St
Saturday February 13, 1-4 pm

This tour is to present the message of forgiveness as a national response to the Prime Minister's apology in 2008 to Residential School Survivors and their families. Several national leaders have felt the need to offer a national response and will do a 3-day summit in Ottawa in June 11-13, 2010. This tour is to simply bring the message to people across Canada who have experienced Residential schools and the families who have also been affected. This is seen as a way to bring healing to our people as an opening step for our community as well as others in Canada to embrace the healing we all want and need.

(Jean Hill, provincial co-ordinator)

"The release of forgiveness will not only be a major landmark in the journey of Canada towards our destiny to bring healing to the nations, but it will be a new beginning in covenant relationships within the family of God for kingdom authority purpose for our nation; and Canada will be a blessed nation under God even more!"

(Gathering Nations International leader, Kenny Blacksmith)

Saskatchewan House of Prayer is calling the province to seek the Lord for three days February 11, 12, 13.

• As we humble ourselves to pray "Forgive us as we forgive those who've sinned against us" FORGIVENESS will be released in the spirit realm.
• Pray for Jean Hill and her team.
• Pray for Kenny Blacksmith and his team, those travelling with him.
• Cry out to God for healing upon our 1st Peoples, the people of this province and upon our land.

Words/visions/dreams can be sent to freedomwords2010@gmail.com

Gather together in your local areas to pray with others on February 13.

"If My people will . . . . then I will"

raise and release

so the struggle with sharing vision is to try to translate this sharing into different media. all fine and good to speak passionately before an assembled crowd, quite something different to post those same thoughts somewhere to be read without the benefit of all the things that make listening to an inspiring speaker inspirational.

the benefit, however, is the hindsight that is afforded in the process of somehow transcripting spoken words into written ones. there are shining sparks of revelation not found in the notes which take on major significance as God moves in the live moment of interaction, making apparent to all assembled (even the one speaking) that this is what he wanted someone to say.

example: a three word phrase that did not occupy a whole lot of space in the wildly scribbled, footnoted, annotated and even roughly illustrated notes that i brought with me to the front at a recent gathering of our people:

raise and release

that was it. so simple. buried amidst gathered quotes and ministry opportunities and examples to be shared with our missionally-minded, yet progressively active crowd at the annual 'society meeting.'

yet these words say so much.

raising requires investment work. it requires a discipling/mentoring relationship to be forged which is, at its centre, collaborative.

releasing requires trust and affords validation. whether the release is internal, releasing one to pursue his/her piece of the mission locally, or external, being allowed to leave the shelter, comfort and safety of the nest, that the larger picture would be realized.

yes, to raise and release is to invite, inspire, equip and empower. it is to place words of vision and challenge before people, then to walk alongside them, all the while sharing your pieces of the picture with them, that their own would be informed by it while not being controlled or restricted. it is to afford people the opportunity to meaningfully engage in the ongoing work as part of their own journey to self actualized, entire sanctification. to boldly go where no man has gone before...