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| Photo credit to Cynthia on our New Orleans trip |
Our Wednesday morning men’s
group meeting started out as per usual until my imagination took an active role
while we read God’s Word, worshiped, and prayed.
I saw myself as though I was releasing doves into the air except
they were men, men that I know or have known over my lifetime. I was lifting
them up to God as I listened to His word being read, as we sang songs of
praise, and as we prayed over a wide range of people and events. Some came to
me as names and others as faces drifting from my uplifted hands. They continued
to emanate from me coming from my heart to my hands and into the sky to be
blessing even when it was my turn to read and as I sang songs.
My imagination, for I’ll stop short of calling it a vision,
operated nearly of its own accord. I say nearly because the men came to me and
were lifted up in concert to what we were doing. They did not intrude but enhance. I think an excellent wine aptly paired with the food does that to a
meal, enhance it without intruding on the dining experience.
My best of friends were there for healing and a touch of peace.
Men in my family from generations past, present, and just now blooming. I think
of four-generation photos with my grandfather, father, and son and now 4-gen shots
with my dad, son, and grandsons and they were all a part of my offerings. Men
who’ve left their mark on me, Spiritual Fathers, grandfathers, uncles, teachers,
both living and having passed on, were a part of the stand that spread out in
front of me. Even men whose marks left behind were meant for harm. There were
missionaries and adversaries, bikers and ballplayers, churchmen, and a few kite
fliers…some I scarcely know and must have been included simply because they
need a blessing. In-laws of every ilk; brothers, fathers, and sons…it has been
quite a kaleidoscope.
Toward the end of our time together we read John 1 and what I saw
then were thousands of men in a field like a wide-ranging wisp of snipe and
then again as they waded in the shallows like a vast mustering of storks. They fed,
preened, and generally got along with life.
Upon reflection of this phenomenon I wonder if I experienced
just a taste of the flow of Living Water Jesus talked about in John 7:38.
Regardless, it is my wish, my prayer that this will be the case for each man
who has come to mind and lain upon my heart today.
The experience continued as I wrote these notes in my little notebook
and typed up this post. I’d like to continue here for a while.
In His grip,
jerry
