Last January I had a dream that I was at a Monster Jam Rally. In the dream a miniature monster truck came out and started doing what the big boys do—flips and tricks for a cheering audience. The driver was my four-year-old grandson and sitting next to him, was his younger one-year-old brother! This dream came the night after the house my son and his wife had recently purchased–caught fire and destroyed. Firefighters arrived on the scene to flames shooting twenty feet high. I woke from my dream with this story forming, first in my thoughts, and then on paper.
The Story
Momma, why are you crying?” asked the woman’s four-year-old son, the younger brother oblivious to the tears flowing down his mother’s cheeks.
Daddy responds, “Momma is sad. Let’s ask Jesus to help Momma find her happy again.”
Together, father and son–they prayed.
“Dear Jesus, help Momma find her happy again.”
Momma heard her son’s prayer. She blotted her tears. A smile began to form at the loving, thoughtful, and sincere words of her boy.
Momma, watching her boys, could see they were playing with their Superheroes; Batman, Spider-Man, Ironman, Captain America, and the Hulk. The Superheroes were actively busy taking down bad guys. Once the bad guys had been brought down, the boys moved on to something else. They got out their Monster Trucks and began playing with them. The eldest thrust a truck forward, it flipped, and landed upright on all four wheels. With a shout of glee, her son shouted, “Momma, did you see that?!”
Yes. Momma saw. With clear eyes, and a happy heart, Momma was seeing this truth: Whatever flips, turns, or trials, might come her way, she will land upright. She has a Superhero, Immanuel, God with her, fighting the bad guy.
By faith, she will persevere.
In the fifteen months leading up to the fire, my son and his wife had endured many trials and had endured each with great faith.
By faith, they had heeded God’s call and moved to Chicago, away from extended family, with a newborn and three-year-old.
By faith, they had successfully handled the Pandemic ensued challenges of working from home with two littles.
By faith they had calmly dealt with a flood damages brought to their home of five months.
And it was by faith they bought a farm and moved back home to Indiana.
Delighted in how they handled each trial, I will admit, I was deeply concerned for my daughter-in-law after the fire. She was seven months pregnant with Baby three.
My daughter-in-law—she did cry. She shed tears of frustration. But, by faith, she and my son persevered, and they came out stronger.
On this day, one year after the fire, reflecting on my dream in which I was a Monster Jam Rally, I looked up the meaning of rally. It means: to rouse from depression and summon up strength. Interestingly, rally can also mean to call-in extra forces to help fight a battle. In the story that developed after the dream, Superheroes were fighting the bad guy. My dream, and the writing, portrayed what I deemed my daughter-in-law’s needed.
In Isaiah 11:1, 10 the prophet tells us, “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit…In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples, the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.”
A stump is all that is left of a tree after it has been cut down. Likewise, ashes are all that is left when things burn down.
Isaiah 61:3 says, “The Lord will bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
Had Jesus remained in the tomb, and not raised from the dead, we would all be doomed to an eternity of despair. But praise be to God, the Root of Jesse, Jesus Christ—He arose!
We all face fiery trials in one form or another, but, my friend, please get this, as we fix our eyes on Jesus, we can arise from ashes of despair. We can see HIS crown of beauty all around us, and for that, by faith we can persevere.
God allows certain situations in our lives to mold us. The Bible tells us to…
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” –James 1:2-4
It’s time to Rally to Jesus, and in Him, find the faith to survive the fires.
The house was vacant at the time of the fire, the kids weren’t yet living there because the house was under a major renovation. The fire caused many setbacks and delays, but through each one came a blessing. Beauty rises from the ashes. Maybe someday they will write a book, sharing the full story. Their story is a true testament of the goodness of God.
Ty, Tina, Grayson, Jude, and Ruth. They were in their new home before Christmas.
From East to West, the Glory of the Lord is displayed.
It was really God’s hand at work, and I marvel at how it all came together!
My daughter, an 8th grader at a local public junior high, came home from school the other day so excited. She shared that a wonderful speaker had come to talk to the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) group that morning. Now, normally my daughter is somewhat reserved/reticent, and for her to be so animated and for her to bring up the experience several times I knew she was deeply impacted. I, myself, then became very interested in the story. I decided to investigate more about this Immanuel Quilt Ministry. I checked on the website and learned that Mrs. Wolf lives right in our home town and does regular presentations upon request. I decided, right then and there, to email her to see if she might be able to come to talk to the students and staff at the new school I am currently working at.
It was really God’s hand at work, and I marvel at how it all came together!
The more I thought about it, I just knew that having Mrs. Wolf visit us at Boone Prairie was all in God’s plan. I was very struck by the similarities between Joni Wolf’s story—an ordinary woman called by God to do something extraordinary, something she never would have imagined for herself—and the story of how Boone Prairie School came to be. You see Bret and Shawna Reinhardt, the builders/founders/creators of Boone Prairie are not teachers themselves. They are ordinary people who happen to be extraordinary dreamers! They are successful business owners who felt that the educational opportunities that were available were somewhat lacking, and though they had no training or prior experience, they felt called to do something about that. Like Mrs. Wolf, the Reinhardts decided to see where God would lead them. Walking on faith, they built a school of their own–Boone Prairie!
It was really God’s hand at work, and I marvel at how it all came together!
Mrs. Wolf and I connected and were able to set up a time for her to visit Boone Prairie. It was a wonderful experience all around, one that made a lasting impression. Mrs. Wolf is a gifted storyteller, and the power of her tale deeply touched us all. The students, kindergarten through sixth grade, as well as the staff were all captivated by the poignant testimony that was given. There was a quite the buzz about how exciting it is that God is still communicating to people through dreams, just as he did in days long ago with Joseph. So much wonderful dialogue and deep discussion resulted from the presentation this afternoon! This all points to the awesome power of our God–that Mrs. Wolf is able to work through her fears by obeying His call as He leads her to places she could never imagine! Mrs. Wolf is a great example of what it means to step out in faith, and it is clear that she is truly walking hand in hand with God through this journey. How exciting to be able to share God’s amazing story through the humanness of her own experience, the striking beauty of the Immanuel Quilt itself, and the impact of the written word. We are deeply grateful to Mrs. Wolf for sharing with us here at Boone Prairie.
It was really God’s hand at work, and I marvel at how it all came together!
Rachael Cotteleer
5th/6th grade Teacher Boone Prairie School
Whitestown, IN
Barefoot and Braless outlines a dream I had on the night of December 12. I hope you will be encouraged by its metaphorical message.
The Dream
My son, Ty, called and asked if I would want to come and watch their three kids while he, and his wife, Tina, did work from home. This is not something out of the norm. On occasion Ty will call and ask if I can do this, and as a proud grandma, I am happy to oblige. So, in my dream, I got in my car and headed to his house on what was an overcast, cloudy, day. Half-way to his home I realized something shockingly bazaar. I was barefoot and braless!
A little farther down the road I decided on a whim, to not go to my son’s home, but rather, to take a drive. I, the girl with a fear of traveling had chosen to go off a familiar route for a road I’d never traveled; Alone, barefoot, and–braless.
My journey took me into a quaint town where the storefronts were ever so inviting, I decided to go shopping. Yes, shopping. Barefoot and braless.
The stores must not have had any postings about shoes needing to be worn to enter the establishments. Throughout the afternoon I freely went in and out of the stores, not once getting kicked out for being, you said it, barefoot, and braless.
Located in a dip at the middle of the town was a quilt shop. I entered the shop and while there time slipped away from me as I shared with some folks the story of the Immanuel Quilt. By the time I left the shop, the day had turned to night.
Not wanting Tom to worry about me (I do have an eye issue in which I am not supposed to drive at night), I reached for my phone to call him. I was going to tell him that I would just stay the night at the Cornerstone Inn at the outskirts of town. But, when I reached for my phone, I didn’t have it. I had been out all day barefoot, braless, and phoneless!
No problem, I would call Tom from the Inn. But first I needed to walk a little farther, in the darkness, and up a hill–barefoot and braless.
Focused on the Cornerstone, without worry, I tread through the darkness and up the hill. Once I hit the crest, the sun was brightly shining.
I woke from my dream barefoot and…
Analogy
I asked God what this dream was about. Immediately, “Freedom,” was whispered into my thoughts.
There is perhaps nothing that expresses freedom more to women than the stripping of brassieres and shoes after a long day. Jesus says, “Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:30 Msg)
In what started out as a normal, routine, and familiar activity, going to watch my grandkids, turned into a trip outside my sphere of norm and a journey into something new. As the Ruler of all things, God says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19)
More and more we see things outside the box of what we used to call normal. I think we can agree that we have seemingly been wandering in a wilderness since the onset of Covid. God is wanting us to step outside our comfort zones, outside of spheres of norm, and journey with Him to new places. In freedom.
For months businesses have been posting mandate requirements on the wearing of masks. However, in my dream, I freely went into store after store, not once being asked to leave for not being appropriately covered.
Barefoot and braless, a symbol of living freely and lightly. Walking out of the quilt store into a dip of darkness, I was reminded of Psalm 23:4 “Though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil for God is with us.” Here the Bible tells us that the valley of the shadow of death—is evil.
Friend, if you have confessed Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you need not fear the evil. Eternal life awaits you!
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. —John 3:16
Yes, Barefoot and Braless, it was a dream about freedom. Jesus climbed the Calvary Mountain to free us from sin and the shadow of death. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed. (John 8:36)
Keep the faith. Just a little bit farther, up the hill, the SON is shining!
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“For you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.” —Malachi 4:2
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KEEP COMPANY WITH ME AND YOU’LL LEARN TO LIVE FREELY AND LIGHTLY -Matthew 11:30 MSG
One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. Psalm 145:4
I have fallen behind in journaling my journey with the Immanuel Quilt. Back in May, I took the quilt to Thorntown to speak to the Hoosier Heritage Quilt Guild. Because the quilt story keeps growing, another chapter being added all the time, I now have to pick and choose what to tell. So, needing to rely on the Spirit of God for guidance, I asked, “What should I share?”
“Made with Love,” the Spirit said.
I preferred more input; however, I added the phrase to my outline and began to build upon it. Once the content was formed, I sensed there was still more God wanted me to add. I said a prayer, asking, “What else, Lord?”
While reading my Bible, the Word of God said, “Teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.” (Titus 2:1)
Isn’t that what the story of the Immanuel Quilt does?
This Word from God was a warning that I choose what parts of the story to cut, not remove the sound doctrine teaching. Yet, even after receiving this good advice, I sensed something was missing, though I didn’t know what.
I prayed, asking God to reveal His thoughts to me. Days passed with no response. Finally, hours before I was to speak on the day of the event, God answered me. The missing piece was in the name of the guild.
Hoosier Heritage
Heritage is something possessed by one person and passed on to someone who follows after. It includes the values of those before us, the traditions we have experienced, and the cultures we live in.
As humans, created in the Image of God, quilters have inherited their Creator’s creative gene, and therefore, quilters can make quilts, “Made with Love.” You might have a quilt with “Made with Love” inscribed upon it, but you also have an invisible inscription placed upon you that says, “Made with Love, by Love.”
GOD IS LOVE! Quilters stitch pieces of fabric together, making beautiful quilts. God stitches us together, making us into His beautiful image. We have a Godly heritage through Christ. (Ephesians 1:11-12)
To a crowd that was larger than expected, I sat on a stool, opened up The Immanuel Quilt, and began reading His Story.
The question I posed to the quilters that night, I present to you. What heritage and legacy do you hope to pass to your children, grandchildren, and future generations? Will they only receive a quilt, or will you leave something of eternal value–a legacy of faith?
Taking the book once again, I pointed to the photo on the back cover and read the verse below it: “We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deed of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders.” – Psalm 78:4 (NLT)
There is a song that sums up this message well, and though I didn’t share it that evening with the guild, I hope you will give it a listen.
P.S. My look-a-like puppet made her debut appearance at this event. The response was incredible. I was also surprised by the number of guests who attended because they’d heard I would be there with the Immanuel Quilt. Each of the guests, eight I believe it was, had heard me speak before but came to listen to the story again. I was even thanked for tying heritage into the message. Hearing what God has done never grows old.
An old wagon, the Immanuel Quilt, and my granddaughter, Macy. A representation of my grandmother, me, and the futures generations we are to tell about Jesus.
The addition of puppets to the ministry came about when my kindergarten grandson, Zane, asked me to guess what he wants to be when he grows up. He gave me a hint. He told me it was a four-letter word that begins with sh. I could have guessed all day long and not guessed, chef. It was in that moment I remember that at his age I wanted to grow up and be a puppet maker.
I needed to pursue making puppets to show him, and myself, that it is never to late to pursue your dreams.
I finished my second puppet build, a look-alike of Zane, the grandson who inspired me to pursue my childhood dream of being a puppet maker. He was so excited when he saw the finished work; he grabbed the puppet and gave it a big hug, then hugged me. I’m not sure which of us was the happiest.
Zane’s puppet has a notepad in one hand and a pencil in the other. This is because Zane is pictured on the front of the VBS curriculum as a Good News Reporter. There are ten skits included in the curriculum. The characters: a grandma who loves telling her grandchildren about Jesus; her grandson, Wolfie, who wants to someday be a news reporter—one that only reports good news; and Macy Girl, Wolfie’s little sister.
I’m still unsure where this puppet thing is going, but God is clearly showing me that he plans to do something good with them. The Lord is placing people in my path with puppeteering experience, providing confirming words through others, and still speaking in my dreams, ensuring He is with me.
Just the other night, I had a dream in which I was pregnant. I can hear you gasping. Anyway, I was at the doctor’s office for a routine check, and he gave me a surprise. He told me the baby could arrive in a week; the due date was not near. I looked at a calendar to count ahead seven days to see what date the baby might come, it was December 25th, a Sunday. Dream over.
Launching something new, whether it is a new book, new ministry, or new business, it is referred to as like giving birth to a baby. New ventures begin with a seed of an idea, it grows, and then it morphs into a labor of love. The end joy is seeing the “baby” come to life.
A week is a measure of time, seven days. The number seven is the number representing completeness and perfection. The Bible tells us:
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
The baby, the doctor said, “could arrive in a week.” Could indicates a possibility. My baby could arrive sooner than expected.
For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37
December 25th marks the date in which we celebrate the birth of Jesus—Immanuel, God with us. This is an indicator the dream is not about the date; it’s about the person the date represents and the Immanuel Quilt Ministry.
Seven days out from the doctor’s visit was a Sunday. Sunday is the day Christians set aside for God to worship and sing praises, and to bring Him honor and glory due His Name.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Psalm 96:8
Another thing about Sundays is that they mark a beginning. Each new week on the calendar, begins with Sunday. The Lord says,
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:19a
God speaks to me in dreams because He knows they spur my curiosity to go and search the Scriptures for hidden things. What draws you to the Word?
Wolfie, The Good News Reporter, has this to tell: Anytime we are in God’s Word, God is pleased.
(Check out Zane’s first puppet video by click here.)
I was at a small country church nestled in a close-knit community. The church, called Center Point, had invited me to come and watch their Bible School program.
Once the program was over, a woman pointed me out. She announced that I had written The Good News Reporter, a VBS curriculum, adding that she hoped the church would select it for their next VBS. Grateful for her plugs, I stood to thank her and tell some of what the curriculum offers when suddenly, we heard a loud noise coming from outside. Everyone went to a window to see what it might be and what we saw was a host of low flying battle planes coming our way. The closer the aircraft came towards us, the louder and more ominous the sound became. The pastor advised we hunker down and begin praying.
While others were praying, I was holding a young child. The little person got off my lap and started entertaining the other children. The children were engrossed in watching and listening to this child. I found it uncanny that a room full of children could be so happy and calm under the circumstances.
Daylight turned to darkness, and then a fierce thunderstorm came. The pounding rain and blowing winds overtook the sound of the planes still flying overhead.
After several hours, all was quiet. Everyone went to look out the windows again. And dotted across the clear dark sky, for as far as our eye could see, were the military planes positioned like shining stars. Oddly, it brought on a peaceful state of mind, and everyone felt safe to leave the church and go home.
Heading home in the dark of night on an unfamiliar road, I came upon a detour with a signposting, Turn Here, Road Construction Ahead. Something felt off and a little amiss, so I chose to keep going, forging straight ahead.
I did come upon road construction; however, the signposting had been a half-truth. A temporary road built alongside the actual road allowed travelers to stay on course. No detour was necessary.
I woke up from my dream, knowing I would reach my destination.
TAKE AWAY THOUGHTS
I was at the church called Center Point to watch a VBS program. Believers ARE the church (Ephesians 2:21), and Christ is to be the center point of all that we think, say, and do.
The Good News Reporter, the Immanuel Quilt Ministry’s VBS curriculum, received a favorable recommendation.
I believe the military planes that were seen and heard were a host of army angels (2 Kings 6) flying in to protect us. God’s love for his people reaches as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103: 11-12). Because of this love God has for us, He sends his angels to fight the forces of darkness for us. The storm was the battle. The army of angels won.
Again, I was at the church to watch a VBS program. Searching the Bible app on my phone for every verse with the word watch, a word from the Lord given to Habakkuk spoke to me. “Watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5
Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
I committed the writing of the curriculum to the Lord. My hope is that Good News Reporter will help children learn the Names of Jesus, get to know the Invisible God, give their life to Christ, and become Good News Reporters. But, unfortunately, the curriculum hasn’t yet taken off.
With the recent announcement of me making puppets to use in the ministry, particularly with the VBS curriculum, I believe the young child who began entertaining the other children was–a puppet.
Time will tell whether this was a prophetic dream promising a bright future for the curriculum. But, regardless of whether it is or not, there is a good takeaway message for everyone.
God put a hope and a future inside every person before we were born. (Ephesians 2:10) He laid out the plan and has been paving the way ever since so that we might reach our destiny, to experience a fulfilled life found only through Christ. Yet, the enemy of God fights against us every step of the way. Satan wants to keep us from sharing the Good News about Jesus; that He came and died for our sins, was raised from the dead after three days, and now lives at the right hand of God interceding on our behalf. The Intercessor sends an army of angels to fight for those who trust Him.
I was traveling home on an unfamiliar road. We don’t always know the roads of our future; however, we are assured that if we follow Jesus, He will lead us safely home. The half-truths of Satan can’t steer us off course when we remain going forward on the straight and narrow road. (Proverbs 3:5-6) So, stay on course, stick with the plan, and watch what God will do.
As it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV
Good News Reporter Includes:
Immanuel Quilt Hardcover Book
Immanuel Quilt 24″ x 18″ Poster
Names of Jesus PDF Bingo GameFeatures:
Five Bible Story Lessons
His Story Show and Tells
Introduction to 30+ Names of Jesus
Visual Lesson Introductions
Ten Lesson Skits
Lesson Discussion Questions
Connecting Thread Comparisons
Parables, Puzzles, Riddles
And Ideas for:
Crafts, Snacks, Games, & Songs
My husband and I were introduced to Camden Lee in 2017. The adorable red-headed, blue-eyed, freckled face boy was four years old. At the time, the little guy was fatherless. His mother had all ready laid his father to rest.
When our son married Camden’s mother in 2018 he chose to adopt Cam and officially make him his son. Proud parents we were on the day we were given this news, and on the day that Cam became our grandson.
Lauren and Cam entered a ready-made family. Macy, a few weeks older than Cam, and Zane two years younger, Cam gained instant siblings, and soon, they became the three amigos.
Tom and I hoped that Cam would accept us, but we knew it would take time. He, after all, has grandparents that have been with him and loving on him since birth. We would have to prove our love. One day spent together, just me and Cam, I saw the tide turn.
The turning point came when I took Cam for his first-ever convertible ride. We drove to the parks where TJ played as a child, and we talked. Walking a trail in Forest Park, I felt him reach for my hand, and my heart melted.
Walking hand-in-hand we came upon a book box with books and magazines inside of many genres for all ages. Cam pulled out the quilting magazine saying he knew I would like it. Together we flipped through the pages deciding which quilts were our favorites.
We didn’t bond over a conversation of the Immanuel Quilt, but we did connect over a conversation of quilts.
The cherry on top of the end of the day was when Cam said, “I don’t want to go home, I want to stay with you.”
God loves us and His plan from the very beginning, was to adopt us and make us a part of His family. He proved his love for us by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins.
Tom and I hoped Camden would accept our love. On a much deeper level God wants us to accept His love. He desires to spend time with us, hold our hand, and hear us say, “I want to stay with you.”
“In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” Ephesians 1:5
Lying awake in bed with eyes still shut, I saw an image before me held like a photo by some invisible hand. It was of a US mail dropbox. There was something very peculiar and disturbing about it. Over the drop slot was a pair of white underwear. The underwear’s waistband stretched over the opening. There was a hand shown inserting a letter into the opening of one of the legs and in through the waistband.
Hours later, another image appeared with the same white underwear draped over a white laundry basket of dirty white clothing. One leg draped to the inside, the other to the outside.
Jesus spoke in parables, puzzles, and riddles, using familiar everyday objects to illustrate spiritual truths. (Matthew 13:34) Few things are more common and every day than underwear. And receiving a vision of such is, well, puzzling. Receiving two is downright baffling.
The Bible tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus. When something like this comes out of the blue, I consider it an invitation to gaze deeper to see if there is more than meets the eye; to see if there is some spiritual lesson in it for me to glean.
I began meditating on, yes, you guessed it—underwear.
Everyone wears underwear. We all put our underwear on the same way, one leg at a time. It’s a universal item available in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Whether it be a superhero, jockey, princess, or lace, we each have a favorite style. The underwear we choose somehow defines our personality.
Even though there are many underwear options, there is sameness to all pairs. They have a band at the top and openings for the left leg and the right. Without the elastic at the top of our undies—they fall.
We, like underwear come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. There is a uniqueness about each of us, but a sameness too. Whether we stand on the right side of an issue or the left, we are all made in the same image of God. He is the elastic at the top of our underwear that keeps us from falling.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Underwear becomes soiled and stained and must be washed to be made clean. This is true for us too. We become soiled and stained with sin, and the only thing that can wash away the sin, is the blood of Jesus. When we believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and after three days rose from the dead to give us life, He makes us white as snow. (Romans 5:8, John 3:16, Isaiah 1:18)
White represents the righteousness of Christ. Believers wear His righteousness, but repentance for our sins is ongoing. We can’t be like the imagery of the underwear with one leg in the basket ready to be washed clean, while leaving the other in the world. Repentance is as much an ongoing discipline as what doing the laundry is a never-ending task. All sin must be washed clean, not just that of one side.
Seeking Scripture for clues to my mysterious underwear imagery, I found God used underwear to reveal a similar truth in Jeremiah 13:1-11, the Christian Standard Bible.
This is what the Lord said to me: “Go and buy yourself a linen undergarment and put it on. But do not put it in water.” So, I bought underwear as the Lord instructed me and put it on.
Then the word of the Lord came to me a second time: “Take the underwear that you bought and are wearing and go at once to the Euphrates and hide it in a rocky crevice.” So, I went and hid it by the Euphrates, as the Lord commanded me.
A long time later the Lord said to me, “Go at once to the Euphrates and get the underwear that I commanded you to hide there.” So, I went to the Euphrates and dug up the underwear and got it from the place where I had hidden it, but it was ruined—of no use at all.
Then the word of the Lord came to me: “This is what the Lord says: Just like this I will ruin the great pride of both Judah and Jerusalem. These evil people, who refuse to listen to me, who follow the stubbornness of their own hearts, and who have followed other gods to serve and bow in worship—they will be like this underwear, of no use at all. Just as underwear clings to one’s waist, so I fastened the whole house of Israel and of Judah to me”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“so that they might be my people for my fame, praise, and glory, but they would not obey.
God compared himself to the waistband of a pair of underwear! Two kingdoms banded together, like a right and a left leg of a pair of underwear clinging to the waistband, until pride led them to sin and their undies got soiled.
The state of our nation and the division among us has been weighing heavily on my mind. Maybe you, like me, have wondered, “What can I do?” I believe the image with the mailbox and underwear answers this question.
Think of letters we send as a representation of our voice. We write to people because we have something we want to say, share, or request. We can use the Word of God to share the Good News about Jesus and His love.
God bound us to himself to be His people, holy and righteous for His honor and glory. How will America ever be united? Through common ordinary clean underwearing people (wearing the righteousness of Christ) delivering (US mailbox) the Good News and love of Jesus Christ.
In a dream, I was the caretaker of a funeral parlor. My friend, Leesa Nesty, was there working too. The folks coming into the parlor were not coming to pay respect to any deceased individual; they were coming for an auction.
Strangely, I was wearing a black sheet. I kept one hand on the sheet at all times to keep it securely wrapped around me. I was getting frustrated that wearing the robe was hindering my work. I was embarrassed at wearing a sheet.
I remembered that in an upper room of the parlor, I had a change of clothes. I went there to change, but I couldn’t get in as the door was locked. I then remembered that Leesa held the key. I meandered down and back through the crowd, wearing my unlike toga sheet, to get the key from Leesa. By the time I had changed, all items were sold, and everyone was gone.
Dreams are a way in which God communicates to me to get me to ponder and glean insight on subject matters weighing on my mind. Pre-dream, I was thinking about the word God had given me to focus on for 2021—GRACE. I was also thinking about our nation.
And then, the dream.
A funeral parlor represents a place to go and say final farewells to the deceased.The items for the auction, I believe, were our nation’s liberty. My friends, America will die if she continues to have her freedoms sold to high bidders.
Ephesians 6 tells us to put on the armor of God so that we can stand against the devil’s schemes. It tells us to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
In the dream, I went to the upper room to change out of my sin-ugly drape. Spiritually speaking, an “upper room” represents a place where we sit with God and hear what He has to say. Yet, a key was needed to open the door. What was the key? A repentant heart.
At 2:30 a.m., I woke from this dream and repented. I opened my Bible to Isaiah 51 and read: “My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way…AWAKE…clothe yourself with strength!” This is grace.
I said a prayer, fell back asleep, and woke later humming, “America, America, God shed His grace on thee…”
Grace upon grace. His Amazing Grace.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
Ask God what things He may be asking you to repent, and then, humbly enter the “upper room” and sit with God. He is alive and well, still speaking to ordinary people, doing extraordinary things!
