Kerugma Journey
This Kerugma Journey started October 21, 2008. I knew I was preparing for another Word Journey before our Heart to Heart of October. The Word Kerugma is in my spirit.
Kerugma means – Greek Word –(Strong’s 2782) – proclamation; message preached
Also, Greek Lexicon – (Bible Crosswalk) Kerugma – that which is proclaimed by a herald or public crier.
DAY ONE, October 21, 2008 – From Strength to Strength
My mom is feeling better from her last episode at the hospital and her strength is slowly returning.
In prayer, the Word Natah which means -Hebrew Lexicon – (Strong’s 5186) – stretch out, extend, spread out; pitch a tent
Hmm, right away I recalled the phrase – “pitch a tent” from the “Internal Dialogue” Journey of 2007. I refer back to that phrase and this is what I wrote during that journey.
From ‘Friday morning – April 13, 2007: Day 30 of the fast’
On this morning, as I worship the Lord, the Holy Spirit gives me the WORD:
Choneh – encamps, pitch a tent (Hebrew)
Psalm 34:7 – The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
I will set forth this day knowing that I go not out alone. You do the same.
We have ten days left together.
From ‘Saturday morning – April 14, 2007: Day 31 of the fast’
Yesterday morning, the Lord gave me the WORD -
Choneh – encamps, pitch a tent (Hebrew) and this scripture.
Psalm 34:7 – The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
I wrote – I will set forth this day knowing that I go not out alone. You do the same.
At that time, little did I know that the circumstances of the day would change everything for a season.
(This is from last year- 2007)
About 5:00 p.m., in the afternoon, while with my mother in the rehab center, I received a call that the eldest of my brothers, Joe, had been assaulted. Apparently he was on his lunch hour, sitting in his car, when three hoodlums blind-sided him with a punch to the head, and then proceeded to beat him and drag him from his car, and rob him. They left him lying there, hemorrhaging from the brain, internal bleeding, and chest trauma. They came back and beat him some more, when they were unable to start his car. The police found him sometime later, unconscious and in a bad state. He was transported to the hospital, and his son was called, and in traffic they were about one-hour’s time away from us. As the evening progressed, and we were told that they were observing him, and given updates on his condition, all of the family reached out to different prayer chains that we are connected with. By that evening, countless churches, cousins, and family and extended friends were interceding for my brother.
By midnight, he had been transferred to a local hospital intensive care unit, which has a great neurological department. All of the family kept vigil at that hospital, while I remained the night with my mother at the rehab center. During that night, I witnessed my mother continually until 5:00 a.m., pray and lift her hands up right there in her bed, and then break out into the hymns she knows, then worship, back to prayer. We continued in the Lord until that time, at which time she fell asleep for the next several hours. When I left her at 8:30 a.m., she had eaten, showered, and was reading her devotional. I saw my brother next. He was awake, his condition had improved. By that evening, he had “greatly” improved, bleeding controlled, and swelling had diminished. He was moved out of ICU that evening. Those who saw him initially, and I who saw him last of the bunch, compared his improvement, and you can see God’s handprint all over this. He continues to improve, and I thank all the prayer warriors out there who interceded on his behalf.
Of special importance, when I saw my brother, he told me that he had recommitted his life to Christ that same Friday morning, and hours later, this occurred. Many people cannot understand why this would occur. All I can answer, trust that God has a bigger plan.
In addition to all this, when I called one of my cousins in San Diego to pray for my brother, he informed me that Topi too had been taken to the emergency because she had worsened. We set out to pray, and when I was calling people to pray, I also included Topi and her condition. I found out later that they had found four more viruses in her, and she was being treated.
Saturday evening I asked the Lord, what does all of this mean, and I received the WORD: Cheroth; Cherith – means a cutting; separation; a “brook“; cut off; cut down; whittle down.
Elijah flees to the Brook Cheroth and is revived. It is the place where Elijah hid and was miraculously fed.
I Kings 17: 3 to 7
3) Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 4) And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. 5) So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 6) And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. 7) And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
What do we see here? We see God gave a command. We see that Elijah “heard” the voice of the Lord; he had a word from God. We see Elijah prayed. We see Elijah believed what God told him. We see that Elijah’s obedience to God’s word, jeopardized his life. We see that Cherith was a desolate place. We see that God sent Elijah there without immediate provision, only faith and a promise to come. We see that the brook is living waters. We see it is a place of spiritual refreshment; a place of refuge. We see that Elijah was strengthened by his experience or circumstance. God removed Elijah from the “everyday”. Elijah had to leave the “everyday”, and go to a desolate place, and he had to depend on God, but he came back stronger. He received the strength he needed. He was equipped. Very important is that Elijah did not “lean into his own understanding”. Then we see in the last verse that there had been no rain in the land. We see that Elijah spoke with Authority. We see that Elijah rose up from that place and confronted the wicked. The Lord was dealing in the lives of those who were not serving him. We see that Elijah brought back the people of God. I remember the WORD the Lord gave on Sunday afternoon – March 25, 2007: Day 11 of the fast – Eberi – God’s People. We see that Elijah had to learn his lesson at the hands of the enemy. Okay you say, but the brook dried up, so let’s consider that the ravens were still bringing bread and meat each day, and although Elijah also needed water, he didn’t move until the word of the Lord came to him, a new set of instructions. Also, Cherith was a brook by the Jordan, and we read in the Bible that God told Joshua, as he had to Moses to cross over Jordan, to the Promised Land. Amen, the Promised Land.
What truths do we see? Can they be applied to what we all have experienced in the last few days? Think upon these things.
We have to see the “little” in the “big’ things God does, but the “little” is usually something big, because the big is enormous. What I mean is that, yes my bother was beaten and left to die, but, he could have been stabbed, shot or fatally wounded, but he is alive, bruised and beaten, but alive.
I want to tell you while praying for my brother when he was in ICU, I saw Jesus dressed in white, and he was standing by my brother who was lying on his side on the ground, beaten, bloody and bruised. The Lord looked at me, and then opened his hands and showed me his wounds, extending from his wrists to the palms. He looked at his wounds in each hand, and then looked directly at me, and gently bent over my brother cradling the top of his head with his wounded left hand, and his right arm extended over my brother’s body who was lying on his side, and came to rest on his thigh. Jesus looked at me again, as if to say, he is covered by the blood, and his wounds are healed by my wounds. I had to worship the Lord.
As usual the Lord is in this.
(End of excerpt from April 13th and 14th of April 2007)
So, as I was saying in this time and space of “DAY ONE, October 21, 2008 – From Strength to Strength” the same phrase on another journey. I again consider the Word Natah – to stretch out, extend, spread out; pitch a tent.
I remind the Lord that I am already being stretched.
Just this thought: Have you considered a rubber band ? A Rubber band stretches. So we too are sometimes stretched to know the fullness of what we can hold. I think the band (me) can hold no more.
DAY TWO, October 22, 2008 – From Strength to Strength
During prayer, I receive the Word “Shever” Hebrew word for “A Break”.
Noon, Wednesday, October 22, 2008 – I am getting my mom ready for her follow-up visit with her doctor for last week’s troubles.
12:30 pm., my mom falls and I hear a horrible popping, crunching, snapping sound as if a hundred plates are breaking. As she lies on the bathroom floor we both know “a break” has occurred.
My mom whispers in pain, “before you touch me or call the ambulance, get the anointing oil and the prayer shawl.” I ran and get these things and came back and practically bathed her in anointing oil. I allowed the Holy Spirit to intercede because my heart was heavy for my mother.
She is taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital where a battery of tests are done. It is confirmed a “a break” has occurred. A fracture in the same site or side.
7:00pm. – my mom is transferred to her designated Hospital. My sister, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews were with me at the other Hospital. My brothers, and brother-in-law join me at this other Hospital. My brother informs me that Calvary Chapel Diamond Bar on it’s international radio program has sent out a prayer request for her by name – Libby Barela – world-wide. Thank you Lord.
11:45 pm – we leave my mom settled in for the night. Tomorrow is a new day.
P.S. – This posting will eventually be posted on the kairoskingdomwomen blog site over the weekend, but for the next few days, it will be posted by email.
Kairos verse:
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God;” 2 Corinthians 3:2, 3
God Bless and please keep my mom in prayer: Alma
Kerugma Journey,DAY THREE, October 23, 2008 – Deliverer and Preserver
My mom is now at White Memorial Hospital. She is under heavy medication so she feels discomfort, rather than pain, except if she moves.
In prayer, the Word Soter which means –Thayer’s Greek Lexicon – Savior, Deliver, Preserver.
That is what we are expecting for my mom, saving grace, delivery from this pain and preservation of her health. She is groggy, but still manages to speak a grateful language (Praise). I know that God can bring her back and better, but may His will be done, not ours.
Today has been a long day. Thank you all for the prayers.
Kerugma Journey, DAY FOUR, October 24, 2008 – Voices
In my “email speaking” and people who have I have been with these past weeks, there was a general topic – pain and painful separation.
Whether it be divorce, or death, or losing your job, or the results of a medical test, or the loss of what is normal in your life, the truth is that separation hurts, and losing the “normal” in your life is scary.
In my mom’s case and condition there are new normals. I was sharing with my brother Bobby, as I observed my siblings interacting with her at the hospital, that they are still speaking to her as a parent that meets their expectations. I live with her day to day, and see her ups and downs, and I can see the changes.
Our roles are sometimes reversed as to who is the parent and who is the child. Most of the time (about 90%) she is lucid and comprehends everything, and has total recall and can engage in a conversation back and forth. There are times when she is confused, and calls me by her name, Libby, and I have to prompt her and remind her of time and space. These episodes are our new normal.
As I sought the Lord, I was reminded of two verses in the Bible. The first was “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5), and then Isaiah 61:3 – “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”
Along with that comes the reminder of a “Word” given to me in March 2008 (this year), in the 22 Word Journey (also posted here under March). The Word is for Day 11, ‘PEH”. I found this interesting association:
http://www.biblewheel.com/InnerWheels/Isaiah/Isaiah61_Ashes.asp
These verses speak of Joy and Praise. The thought came to me that songs are composed out of Joy and Praise. Yes it is true, there are songs born of pain.
I receive the Hebrew Word “Kolot” meaning “Voices”.
Yes, God hears our voices. Sometimes you wonder, as you minister to others, and when you say, “I am praying for you” or “God will see you through” or other words one offers as a comfort, if the person at the receiving end just wants to cringe when they hear the “I’m with you” words. You can see it physically.
Maybe that person does not know the valley you had to walk through, in order to be able to say “God will sustain you” and “God will make a way.” The pain we have been through is not for ourselves, rather it equips us so that we can offer more than words for those who are passing through that difficult valley. Just think back to when we were “standing” in that place of hurt, some days we could not pray, other days, we did not want to hear words of encouragement, and other days, we could not see the way out.
We survived each day, one breath at a time. That’s how God will bring you through one prayer at a time. That is how he is bringing us through this current situation. It is just like the nights you cannot sleep, sometimes it seems so long, every minute seems like an hour, but minute by minute, morning comes and the sun rises.
The things which we endure, are not only for ourselves, but to offer encouragement. In those hard times, in those desolate places, whisper to your heart, as I am sure that Paul (in the bible) whispered, this is “but for a moment” many times during his afflictions. It is written in 2 Cor 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Even when your pain can not give voice to what is in your heart, God hears the “voices”.
Isaiah 65: 24 “It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.”
May your spirit be ministered to as you enjoy the following “You tube” selections. I have posted the words along with the song.
Small Enough – NICHOLE NORDEMAN From:gfeef
oh, great god, be small enough to hear me now
there were times when i was crying
from the dark of daniel’s den
and i have asked you once or twice
if you would part the sea again
but tonight i do not need a fiery pillar in the sky
just wanna know you’re gonna hold me if i start to cry
oh, great god, be small enough to hear me now
oh, great god, be close enough to feel you now
there have been moments when i could not
face goliath on my own
and how could i forget we’ve marched around
our share of jerichos
but i will not be setting out a fleece for you tonight
just wanna know that everything will be alright
oh great god, be close enough to feel you now
all praise and all honor be
to the god of ancient mysteries
whose every sign and wonder turn the pages of our history
but tonight my heart is heavy
and i cannot keep from whispering this prayer
“are you there?”
and i know you could leave writing on the wall
thats just for me
or send wisdom while i’m sleeping,
like in soloman’s sweet dreams
but i don’t need the strength of samson
or a chariot in the end
just want to know that you still know how many hairs
are on my head
oh great god, be small enough to hear me now
I Am Not Alone” By Natalie Grant From: hoover4000
Women of Faith Worship Team- I’m Trading My sorrows From: kimberly1x
I’m trading my sorrows
I’m trading my shame
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord
I’m trading my sickness
I’m trading my pain
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord
And we’re singing
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord, Amen
I’m trading my shame
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord
I’m trading my sickness
I’m trading my pain
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord
And we’re singing
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord, Amen
Persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I am blessed beyond the curse
For His promise will endure
That His joy is gonna be my strength
Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes in the morning
I’m trading my shame
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord
I’m trading my sickness
I’m trading my pain
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord
And we’re singing
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord, Amen
And we’re singing
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord, Amen
Yes Lord, Amen
Yes Lord, Amen!
Be Blessed in Your Place…Hugs, Alma.
DAY FIVE, October 25, 2008 – Audience of One
I have another Word in Hebrew. I also have a scene in my head. Before I write anything else, I have to say that it is true Hebrew is a practical language. I have been accused many times of being pragmatic, but I do not take that as an insult, it simply says that I am practical. So that is why I believe that Hebrew “speaks” to me, a practical language for a practical person.
There has been much turmoil these last few weeks. Inward turmoil, physical, emotional and financial turmoil.
This journey became heavy in my heart, as I came before God, and spoke to him of the other journey, the Internal Dialogue Journey. I had so many questions as to the other journey. So many wrote to me, and questioned me on the purpose of that journey, and how so many had heavy hearts. I too felt restless, and knew that the Journey had to have an “epilogue’ an ending. I saw to many hurting hearts, and people fall away from the Lord in the year following that Journey. I could not let it go. I asked the Lord to speak to me of these things. It was to be in Kairos time, so I waited, ready to hear.
At the end of September 2008, I knew the time to embark on that journey was near. I shared with a few dear souls that a Journey was on the horizon. In pursuit of this Journey, I prayed “cause me to know the purpose”. Be careful what you pray for.
I was awakened to pray and as I prayed, I saw a scene that I had first envisioned when I was called to my assignment of Kairos Kingdom Women two years ago. I knew in my spirit that I was not to share that scene, until I was directed to do so. “How am I going to know that?” I questioned. No answer until now, this time, Kairos time.
The exact scene played out, and I am part of it, a living scene, that is transported to the place and time of my present.
I am not sure as how to relate the sequence of events, but will do my best, hoping that it makes sense to you, the Traveler, on this Journey.
The Word is Paniym – Hebrew Lexicon (Strong’s Number: 06440) meaning:
- face
- face, faces
- presence, person
- face (of seraphim or cherubim)
- face (of animals)
- face, surface (of ground)
- as adv of loc/temp
- before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
- with prep
- in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Along with that Word, comes the living scene, and it permeates every sense of your being. In that scene, I see a room without walls and without a ceiling or ground. I instinctively recognize this as the “Throne Room”. There are huge columns that disappear into the sky. The columns form a long, long line on both sides, of a red carpet leading to the Throne. The large columns are made of fine burnished God, and if you touch the column, thick gold dust is on your fingertips, like a cream paste, much like cream eye-shadow. Below the red carpet (flowing like blood), is a white and black checkered floor. The room seems to be breathing and vibrating with a sound so great it is deafening. Suddenly I see a woman dressed in royal colored garb, purple and gold, and is prostrate (face down-horizontal) on the red carpet, worshipping toward the Throne. I soon recognize myself. Suddenly the room is filled with a vapor like smoke, which overtakes the room and senses.
Suddenly I know that this is an Audience of One. An Audience before the King of Kings. It becomes clear that all that I strive to do for the Lord, the Web-blog, praying and encouraging others, and enduring the Journey’s, is all for only One Person. My King and My Lord. It is really something else to know what you have been called in Christ to do. From the onset, I knew my mission and/or assignment was to “proclaim” (Kerugma) “steadfastness” in the things of God. Why should we be content to wear only the Garment of Salvation, when we can also wear A Robe of Righteousness and A Garment of Praise, when we stand at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
That vapor and sweet incense permeated my bedroom, as I sought the Lord.
I was seeking him not only because of the Journey my mom was on, but because from the night that I asked the Lord to ‘cause me to know” many afflictions came hard on and at me.
I must tell you that when I was younger, I always related to Joshua, but in the last few years, the Life of Job has become my banner. His life has intrigued me, and the lessons that were hard won have been a continuous study with new insights continuously.
On this day, day five, I have much to share.
The reason I was up at four in the morning was because I was in turmoil for my mom, and because of my afflictions, and was “hard-pressed” on every side. Financial walls and business turmoil had beset me, and would not be broken off fully. The web-log was sabotaged and the columns are off, and I am having trouble fixing that issue. Many postings had to be deleted temporarily, but by faith I am posting here.
I woke up one day, and my “vision” had changed. I am functioning for two weeks now, with blurry vision, I can see great two feet in front of me, like the computer and such, but I cannot read signs, or distinguish people’s faces easily, they are all a blur. Still I forge on. I will not be deterred Lord I pray. Still I did not utter a word of it to anybody, I endure in silence. I seek comfort in the Book of Psalms and Job.
On one morning in October, after all these things, the one thing that “caused” me to come before the Throne room was that because of all the stress, “shingles” have afflicted me, and in the worst way. The shingles and cysts struck in the womanly areas. This was so heard to bear, to have to function, and to have to be at the Hospital for those prolonged hours.
In desperation I had called out as in Psalms 34:6 – This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. I cried, to the Lord, and yet this was to be the hardest day for my mom.
I was so discouraged and heavy of heart, because there has been no help from the doctors. I have had to struggle with nurses, doctors, and techs for every inch of care. She has literally been abandoned in the room, and even as I shake and come against the staff and doctors, I see my mother deteriorating.
On this the fifth day, I am forced to set forth a formal grievance. There are many ramifications. I am disquieted and discouraged in my Spirit. Show me what to do I cry out to the Lord, as I drive home. The sign posts are blurry, and I have burning and pain from the shingles. Yet I ask the Lord for revelation and direction of my path. I reach out to Liz and Melinda, and soon Words of Life are spoken into my Spirit and for my mom. Liz, from Heart to Heart, who also happens to be my cousin, has been of immeasurable assistance and blessing. Melinda prays over the situation and encourages me, and I feel encouraged to the point, that I recall that I am a Daughter of Zion, and know to Whom I belong, and in what Authority I speak and walk in. I will go out on that Authority.
All of this is for the Audience of One. I know my mom is dwelling in the presence of the King, she also has an Audience of One. You are cordially invited.
