Good morning from Orkney! Actually it's just after noon now...the day is nearly cloudless and only a slight breeze teases the leaves of the escalonia (one of the few evergreen shrubs that actually thrives here). We had a lovely evening with next-door neighbors Peter and Pauline Wilson. They invited us to join them at the Orkney Theater, to see Les Miserable. We were astounded...there is so much talent on this island!
After a midmorning breakfast of Scotch oats, topped Demerara sugar, walnuts and a scant sprinkling of Henry's treasured Caribbean cask Balvenie Scotch, I settled in at my desk for a time of prayer and study. It's a bit of a challenge to focus on a day like today. My desk sits in a corner, framed in by three windows. To my left, the azure blue North Sea (don't be fooled by the color - it is NOT warm), and Copinsay, a tiny island crowned by an aged, yet stalwart lighthouse. It still faithfully flashes at night...a beacon of light, warning of the danger of shipwreck. A few fishing boats have taken advantage of the calm, and are bobbing happily along. The winding country road is quiet, but for the occasional tractor. Farms awaken from winter slumber...
Ah yes, what was that about focus??? With body, mind and spirit back at the desk I began to reflect on our evening, on tea time with Tracy (another beautiful and generous neighbor) and our seemingly strategic placement here in Deerness. I sensed the Lord whispering, 'Be still and listen!' I have not been very good at this lately. As I listen, I hear Him speaking a verse from Revelation chapter three and find myself writing it in my journal:
After a midmorning breakfast of Scotch oats, topped Demerara sugar, walnuts and a scant sprinkling of Henry's treasured Caribbean cask Balvenie Scotch, I settled in at my desk for a time of prayer and study. It's a bit of a challenge to focus on a day like today. My desk sits in a corner, framed in by three windows. To my left, the azure blue North Sea (don't be fooled by the color - it is NOT warm), and Copinsay, a tiny island crowned by an aged, yet stalwart lighthouse. It still faithfully flashes at night...a beacon of light, warning of the danger of shipwreck. A few fishing boats have taken advantage of the calm, and are bobbing happily along. The winding country road is quiet, but for the occasional tractor. Farms awaken from winter slumber...
Ah yes, what was that about focus??? With body, mind and spirit back at the desk I began to reflect on our evening, on tea time with Tracy (another beautiful and generous neighbor) and our seemingly strategic placement here in Deerness. I sensed the Lord whispering, 'Be still and listen!' I have not been very good at this lately. As I listen, I hear Him speaking a verse from Revelation chapter three and find myself writing it in my journal:
11 February 2015: "You have placed before us an open door...and what You open NO ONE can shut! Even as I write this, Your Spirit reminds me that you led me to this same passage in June of 2013...on our FIRST trip to Scotland!"
Of course I HAD to find my journal from that time and review what I had written. What I found shook me a bit...considering all that has transpired in the twenty months since:
June 5, 2013: (Sitting at a desk in the Fraser Suites, Edinburgh...also a sunny day)
"At 4:00 this morning I heard distant church bells tolling the hour...and I sensed the need to look at the word 'hour' in Scripture...as I researched the word 'hour' - I was struck by Jesus words to the church at Philadelphia (Rev. 3):
"I know thy works: Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou has a little strength, and has kept my Word, and hast not denied my Name. Behold...because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation that is coming upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I will come quickly: Hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall GO NO MORE OUT..." (The Greek for 'OUT', by the way, is 'ex-o', the root of exit and expat)
"At 4:00 this morning I heard distant church bells tolling the hour...and I sensed the need to look at the word 'hour' in Scripture...as I researched the word 'hour' - I was struck by Jesus words to the church at Philadelphia (Rev. 3):
"I know thy works: Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou has a little strength, and has kept my Word, and hast not denied my Name. Behold...because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation that is coming upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I will come quickly: Hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall GO NO MORE OUT..." (The Greek for 'OUT', by the way, is 'ex-o', the root of exit and expat)
"Is it possible, Father, that You are wanting to use this passage to provide confirmation that You are calling us out??? Also, You instructed me to pray regarding where the 'fields are white with the harvest..."
After prayerfully reviewing that entry I began to ask myself, "WHY has the Lord taken me back to that day?" I feel like I have literally been catapulted back, to take another look...see it all from a different perspective. What is so important about the "open door" that the Lord would have me revisit this? As I meditate and try to 'LISTEN', several things come to mind:
1. I am reminded that this is not a travel log. I must take care that His purpose prevails in the writing...
2. I believe His intention is to provide a LIGHTHOUSE, with the goal of preventing the shipwreck of souls.
3. It has NEVER been more important to hear the Good Shepherd's voice. His sheep know His voice...but we will miss it if we do not take time to listen. Him who has an ear, let him hear!
4. There is only one Way to join the flock...Jesus is the way. There is NO OTHER NAME BY WHICH MEN CAN BE SAVED. Each of us is either walking toward Him or away from Him...we must choose.
2. I believe His intention is to provide a LIGHTHOUSE, with the goal of preventing the shipwreck of souls.
3. It has NEVER been more important to hear the Good Shepherd's voice. His sheep know His voice...but we will miss it if we do not take time to listen. Him who has an ear, let him hear!
4. There is only one Way to join the flock...Jesus is the way. There is NO OTHER NAME BY WHICH MEN CAN BE SAVED. Each of us is either walking toward Him or away from Him...we must choose.
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