Ecclesia: Part Two - The Goose of God and the Gaggle

The Lord is my Shepherd & The Goose of the Gaggle!

We see lots of Geese in Surfside Beach. I have never seen a gaggle led but an all white goose! Watch as the rest of the geese follow the leader - then read the blog! You are watching a miracle scripted by God.

What you see above may have saved a young man's life this morning! 

I had communion with my wife before dropping her off to work this morning. In the bread she saw Jesus and Mary at the wedding in Cana across the room. In the wine the Holy Spirit said, "His wine is good!" (and it was like Jesus winked to her.) For me in the bread the Lord said, "Do this... why?" Its an action word. A call to action. We are called to "remember". In the wine I saw a window to my left and when I looked through it adjusted to be in front of me. Through the glass I saw "The Kingdom of Heaven" - where Jesus lives, rules and reigns. Jesus wants to interact in our life and create memories that we can remember when we meet from house to house. 

How Jesus creates a 'remembrance' - a memory. How He changes the water of this life into the wine of heaven. His presence, His glory, changes everything. When we carry communion, inside us, wherever we go that Communion is witness to the testimony of Jesus. His presence in us can change situations and looking back you can see how Jesus is alive and working in and through us. We are like a pen in His hand. He writes His story through us. When He does, He deposits a memory that is personal and powerful! We become first-hand witness to the reality of Jesus at work in our lives.

After I dropped her at work I went to the Post Office to send some packages. Then I went to Walmart to pick up a few grocery items. When I came out my eye caught a glimpse of a white animal in the tall grass by the highway. I didn't pay any attention until the same voice of the Holy Spirit we had just heard in Communion said, "Go back and take a picture." I turned the car around and smiled thinking (Hmmmm wonder what's up Lord?). I observed for a moment and saw a white duck, no swan, no goose - a big fella too! How odd - I had never seen an all white goose before! I began to act like a National Geographic photographer ready to take a picture of the 'unknown species'! I took a few pictures but then I noticed something peculiar. This big white goose was the leader! So I went into video mode. The video shows the 'rare' white goose and reveals how the gaggle follows his leadership. I thought - well, thanks Lord - that's interesting!

I headed home and as I turned the corner into our neighborhood I noticed the group of young 'ruffians' at the entrance chasing another boy. They looked intense - maybe even angry. I turned the car around (again) to find out where this 'gaggle' was going. When I turned the corner into the bush area of the parking lot another truck arrived at the same time. A man got out and ran toward the 4 young men who were holding another young man and there was also a young lady. The Dad type waved me off and said "I got this." I stayed. It was just like sitting in that parking lot watching the geese (as if watching the geese was a dress rehearsal). 

Suddenly the young man being held got away and ran the other direction. He had gotten away and three of them went after him. The rest of us spoke and I got the story. The young man had been "cutting". That is cutting his body with broken glass. The other boys were trying to save him. The 'lead boy' said, "He had the glass to his throat and we were afraid he was going to commit suicide." 

I suggested we call the authorities and in the meantime the other boys were able to catch up with the young man who was struggling with life. They brought him back and he was bleeding on both arms and all over his chest. When they did, I asked if I could pray with him. He was nervous but he said, "yes." He took both my hands right there in the parking lot surrounded by his friends. The Holy Spirit gave me words to pray. "By His stripes you were healed". The Lord told me to tell him that this was the beginning of a new life and everything will be alright. The other young men were crying and embracing each other. The presence of the Lord fell. Like the white goose leading the gaggle - the Holy Spirit was there leading and taking charge of the whole situation. Each moment seemed to fall into place as the Lord embraced each one. 

Just about then the police arrived and I promised the young man that we all loved him and that he would be okay. I also asked if I could come to their house to sit down and share with them, gave them my phone number and every one of us hugged. Not the least of which was the Dad who wept as I hugged him as he said, "Thank God you were here." He is now safely in the hospital and we will be visiting as soon as we are allowed.

I realized as I came the rest of the way home - if i had not stopped to watch that silly goose, I would have been in the house before this event ever unfolded. But as it turned out I was there at exactly the right moment, got to share the love of Jesus. Got to pray for someone in a horrible pit of life and the Lord heard his cry and lifted him up. Now I am sure He is setting that young man's feet on the rock (Christ Jesus) and placing a new song in his mouth, even praise to God! Psalm 40:1-3

CommunionFire is spreading in our neighborhood! We have another house where we meet each week and the Lord is doing powerful miracles there as well. Its so wonderful to sit at the Lord's Table. When Jesus is in charge, everything works out! When the love of Jesus is seen, felt, heard and known then the Lord adds to His Church those that are being saved. We are breaking bread from house to house. The Kingdom of God is real. You can see it out from the window of your home.Through it we remember Jesus and how we see Him in day to day life, hear Him as He opens our ears to hear His wonderful words and understand how much He wants to share His life with us and our neighbors! I believe the Lord may be opening another door to meet with young people in our neighborhood.

Can't make this stuff up!