Shalom, dear Friends:
COME!
The call of the heart of God is so profoundly simple that we can miss it: “COME!”
It is an imperative: “COME“ to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden. I will give you rest.” Yeshua-Jesus said that. Aren’t you glad for it? I am. This is the secret of success.
Do you know anyone who is not labouring to keep their balance today? How about those worries we don’t share, or burdens, decisions for the future, family, finances…?
Yet I am sure that all who read this letter know the call to come aside… however faint.
Jesus never demands attention, and we can so easily dismiss the whisper of His Still Small Voice because of ‘business’. In His faithfulness to you and I, He calls us back to home base to settle, establish and bless.
You have not heard from me for 3 months. Yes, I have been silent due to a miserable battle with high blood pressure. I did something I do not recommend it, but after seriously seeking the LORD, I felt led to do it. My cardiologist put me on a pill two years ago. This May, he finally decided that the strangling cough, which left me breathless, was poisoning my system. I prayed and made a firm decision. Enough! I found the local homeopathist at the Natural Health pharmacy for help. Well, I have never looked back and am in glowing health as I write. My strength is increasing, and I have also learned to rest when I am tired and don’t overdo it. Please rejoice with me. I give Father God the glory for restoration and deliverance from fear!
I love to correspond, and would appreciate a note from you once in a while. Jay and I spoke with friends in Canada recently. I was speechless when they told me they had been reading my letter for years, and yet, not once did they ever drop a note. How is that? I consider myself a blessed woman to remain in touch with childhood friends Jay and I have known for many decades. We hear mostly their tales of woe, either with their health or their families, but we are here to pray with them and you if you so desire. Yes, it is a time of shaking globally. Yes, we sense the shift of history. Matthew 24 and Mark 13 read like the news flashes over our mobile phones. For Jews and Christians this means one thing: prayer and intercession.
Fire has captured my attention as it does in a very hot summer. My sister sent me photos of Banff, Canada’s # 1 mountain resort, blanketed by heavy smoke from roaring forests in Northern Canada. So many nations in Europe also battle forest fires, Greece among them. Our valley was filled with smoke this week. Ash covered everything. The winds were so fierce, we didn’t even go outside for 5 days. Three firefighters, ages 26, 29 and 56, lost their lives battling blazes up north.
Today the news is impossible. Best to give it a rest. We are all inundated with warnings… Isn’t much of the so-called news fear-based? Yes, we do understand there is a mighty war going on in the unseen heavens over the souls of men and destinies of nations.
“Who has performed and done this? Calling forth [and guiding the destinies of] the generations [of the nations] from the beginning?” Isaiah 41:4
“What is man that You are mindful of him?”
Farmers and Shepherds:
When Jay, Joshua and I came here, we had no idea what adventures were in store for us. None of us would probably want to move ahead if we could see very far down the road. We have become olive farmers. We have learned how to prune, mulch the roots of the gentle giants, splice new shoots into the trunks and harvest plump olives in the fall. Surrounding hills and valleys nourish thousands of these faithful evergreens. Green leaves wear a silver sheen on windy days. Nothing seems to disturb them, not even the lack of water. They just keep faithfully producing.
A local shepherd family befriended Josh years ago, and the relationship has grown over the years. “Would you like to buy 2 goats? A goat ranges in price from 175 to 200 euros. We would love to become more involved. Their lineage has been shepherding in Greece for as long as anyone can remember. In fact, our friend Petros was born in a sheep shed beside 70 goats. His mother told me all about it. We often go up there at feeding time to enjoy the ambience of their completely different kind of life. Bells of various tones are a sure sign of the approaching herds… so thirsty and hungry. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob spent their lives with the flocks. These beautiful creatures race toward the watering troughs, completely ignoring us.
There is nothing like a farm kitchen. It was so welcoming, and what is it about country people? Do they not have the most generous hearts? The table was laden with food; all are welcome. Extra chairs are always close by for any who may drop in. We love being a tiny part of their lives. We are loved by these dear people, and they allow us to love them back. Pray for Petros and Anastasia, will you? We would be thrilled to be able to stand with them in the purchase of 23 animals. Would you consider helping us?
Family:
August is busy with 9 grandchildren ages 26 to 2 years. Their visits are coordinated so that Grandpa (Saba Jay) and Grandma (Mom Honey) are not overwhelmed. The eldest is off to Australia with his wife for a year. Another is an osteopath. Four are university students, each a different major: physics, business, education, international business and finance. Then we have 3 little ones that keep us young, tired and thrilled with their antics. They were here recently. After Jay said the blessing over the bread and wine (juice), we all partook. One little fellow asked to finish the cup of juice, and as he held the silver goblet up, his Momma said, “That is the KING’S cup!” And so it was, is and will be. May we all drink it with our beloved Messiah Yeshua in His Kingdom, as He promised.
And so we continue to pray daily: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Come! Take a moment and enjoy Joshua Aaron’s beautiful worship song: “The Spirit and the Bride say Come”.
With love and prayers from:
Jay and Meridel Rawlings.
You can buy me a coffee on my new donations page:
https://buymeacoffee.com/stillsmallvoice
For donations in Europe, please send them here:
Greece: Piraeus Bank
Name: Meridel Rawlings
IBAN: GR70 0172 5280 0055 2811 1846 351
BIC: PIRBGRAAXXX