"The Gathering"

"Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds." (Psalms 149:5)

  Don't quite know what this is about, except that it has to do with a chicken and her gathering her little chicks together; other than that, it was a dream about just being ready, and leaving the rest up to Him! As some of you might know, I was raised in a household that studied with the J.W. organization off and on. We would sometimes go to other church gatherings, but for the most part, it was the one organization that offered a sense of working for salvation that made it feel more about merit, verses the free Gift version of salvation that was based upon acceptance. Maybe it was more about being a part of the process; which is actually now something I totally do not understand; because in reality, each and every one of us are already part of the process, because our sins are what He died for! The word, "Glory," is a word that speaks of splendor and honor; something the actual "saints" do not have without having it given them from outside of their own selves. It might not make much sense to some, but knowing you have very little to do with the salvation you are given, actually makes you more appreciative of the Gift; because the scales our not in our favor otherwise: we all fall seriously short of Glory! That said, there is one thing that brings everything into perfect perspective: Triumph! If you are the least bit familiar with how the J.W. organization works, you know that it is based upon fear of not being part of that organization; in other words, you don't question what is said, and you don't pay any attention to what anyone else might say. If you know anything about what the Bible says, it is  all about asking questions and seeking out answers; something that God has encouraged each and everyone of His children to do: Ask, Seek, and Knock, are not just idle things that do nothing, He wants us to make it personal and exciting! So then, where does the Triumph come into the picture? It is in the Body of Christ! We are really nothing on our own, because without each other there is no Body; there is just different organs and parts that cannot function one without the other. As strange as this might sound, our beds are the places where unity is felt; because they come in the form of dreams and visions. It is much like that strange dream I had last night, the one about the Hen and the chicks. If there is one thing that I took away from that dream, it was that it really does not matter where we are or what we are going through, His wings are big enough to cover up and take us in! We just need to be ready! Besides, having your sins totally forgiven makes for a really good night sleep. Maybe that might be what having our lamps filled actually means, to be joyful in glory? If there is one thing that might cause us to feel ashamed, it will be a hint of no Triumph. The last I check, and I have checked it quite often, Jesus finished the work, once and for all...

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:1-6)