From the desk of Steve Shultz:
For those who may be unaware, Michal Ann Goll continues her fierce fight with what the world has labeled "cancer."
I felt I should clarify that fact for some of you on this list who might not know about that as you read this.
Nevertheless, when someone is a hero in the Faith (and we pray in faith that she will be healed, of course), it matters a lot what this person says, as he or she walks in the spirit. What Michal Ann says will affect your spirit.
Tune in to this awesome word!
Here are some CDs by Michal Ann Goll and a book "FOR WOMEN ONLY" in which Michal Ann is one of the authors.
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For Women Only
with Patricia King, Jill Austin,
Stacey Campbell, Michal Ann Goll,
Brenda Makheiro, Pat Theissen
$29.99
5-CD Pack
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Blessings,
Steve Shultz
Michal Ann Goll:
"Shelter of a Swallow: May We Build Our Nest in the Safety of Him"
As you understand, it has been some time since you have heard anything in our e-mail communications from Michal Ann. But as I was reflecting upon her stellar life in God, I was drawn to the last chapter of her book "A Call to the Secret Place." I thought it would be good for you to hear from Michal Ann. So I have chosen this excerpt as it exactly displays who she is and her posture in this very difficult hour.
She is facing an almost insurmountable wall once again, but she is leaning into her Beloved. I encourage you to read the following and after you do – lift a prayer to the Lord to restore this amazing woman of God. I feel her work is not yet complete!
Blessings to each of you!
James W. and Michal Ann Goll
Shelter of the Swallow
Of all the men and women in the Bible who came to know God intimately, David was certainly one who understood what it meant to enter the secret place of the Holy Spirit. In Psalm 84, David paints a sensitive and inviting word picture for us.
"How lovely are Your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul yearns, yes, even pines and is homesick for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out and sing for joy to the living God. Yes, the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young - even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
"Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make a place of springs; the early rain also fills [the pools] with blessings. They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power]; each of them appears before God in Zion.
"For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [anywhere else]; I would rather be a doorkeeper and stand at the threshold in the house of my God than to dwell [at ease] in the tents of wickedness" (AMP).
Some time ago, when I read this wonderful Psalm, I was in a quiet and reflective mood with the Lord. I felt Him drawing my attention to verse 3: "Yes, the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young - even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God."
This Scripture is one of my most treasured possessions! It was treasured by my grandmother and then by my mother. It has become part of my family heritage. The more Scripture we have hidden away in our hearts the greater the opportunity we give to God to speak into our beings. I have one such experience I'd like to share with you.
The Safest Place
I was enjoying myself by being outdoors and I happened to look up and see a barn swallow's nest built against the rafters of our small barn. What a delightful find! I thought to myself. My excitement was genuine for my mother had been quite a bird watcher and had taught me to highly value these beautiful creatures for their unique qualities.
Personally, I think that barn swallows are some of the most beautiful birds in God's creation. They have such an iridescent bluish, black coloring on their backs, and their faces, throats, and breasts are rich shades of deep orange. These precious little creatures perform like flying acrobats as they swoop and dive after insects in the early evening light.
As I stood there admiring these fascinating little birds, the Lord began to weave together for me an understanding of Psalm 84 using these beautiful swallows. I found myself thinking what an accurate picture David had painted concerning their nature, especially when building their nests.
A swallow will first find a structure where there is a supply of mud close by. It will carry mud and twigs in its little beak, making trip after trip. Then it carefully constructs its nest, placing the mud on a board up close to the ceiling of the barn, creating a mud-dauber type of structure. The outside of the nest is very solid and very secure. Yet, the inside of the nest is lined with down feathers and is soft, warm, and inviting!
There is an understanding of the way of wisdom that God has deposited within His creation. In animals we call it "instinct." How do the birds know to fly south for the winter? Where do they get their sense of when it is time to start their migration? How do they know which way to go, covering hundreds even thousands of miles every year? They don't deal with "fears," or "the flesh." They were created with the "knowing" that these things are the right and safe things to do.
The thought struck me: Swallows build their nests the way they do because, instinctively, they know that the safest place to build is up against the wall. On the other hand, we use the expression "up against the wall" to describe a place of inner struggle where we may feel trapped or feel that we've run out of options, and we have no place to run and no way out.
Oh, that we would learn from the swallow the wisdom of God, that we would let our Divine Shepherd's leading and guiding become so deep in us so as to mirror the powerful instincts built within His creation. May He build within the fabric of our lives the truth that the place of abiding is found where difficulty crosses our will and our fear. That is actually the safest place.
To quote an old and wise saying: "Going to the Cross is going to the point where my will crosses God's will." How desperately we need to abide in God by staying close to the Cross!
When We Are Weak...
Throughout many of my writings, I have taken us on a journey looking at the lessons we can learn from some of history's great Christian women, women who knew how to enter the secret place of the Most High. Certainly, their lives were not easy. These women were not even "natural born saints." They went through trials, persecutions, and testings, just as we do. We all have a tendency to look back on the life of someone who passed the test, who walked mightily with God, and think, "There must have been something different about her. Somehow it was easier for that individual to choose God than it is for me."
I don't believe that for one minute!
Each one of us must go to the Cross. There are no exceptions. The Cross is the place where our will and God's will cross each other. The Cross is always the place where God's will stands before me, the place I want to run from as fast and far as I can.
But you see, that's the point where God will meet us - where we are spiritually weakest. It's also the point at which He will give us His grace and strength in place of our weakness.
The truth is, God has a Cross that is designed perfectly for each one of us. He knows the details of our lives, and He knows exactly how to direct us into situations where our natural strength is tested. He knows how to apply pressure so that every natural desire - that force in us that wants to cling to everything that is not Him - can be exposed for the idolatry it is.
Spiritual storms, winds, and billows will blow into our lives, pulling us this way and that. We become like swallows tossed around on gale winds and feel torn about which way we want to go. We plead with Him - or rail at Him - to make the storm winds stop. Nevertheless, we find the testing gets tougher.
Where We are Weakest He will be Strong
Sometimes, while in the face of winds and danger, we know there is a place of safety in God, but still we don't fly to that safe place in Him. Instead, we fly away, resisting the wisdom that tells us to fly to Him. We know in our spirits what flying towards Him will mean. We know it will require first going to the Cross.
Yes, in God are found peace, safety, comfort, rest; but testing and discomfort are also woven into His design. And running towards what is uncomfortable is exactly where we are going to find Him. Only after that will we find our rest. This is why David tells us in Psalm 84 to fly to that place in God - the secret place of our greatest testing, known to God and us alone. Contrary to every natural feeling, contrary to what the world tells us about seeking comfort and ease, we are to make our nest there.
As we abide in this place, we build history with God. Every trial and difficulty and fearful thing He brings us through becomes a part of the nest He has prepared for us. Day by day, He lines our nest with His faithfulness, His goodness, His mercy. We rest secure in this strong tower, so soft and warm.
I believe that if we will not run from that place, but fly to the Cross God has prepared for us, then we will find all the provision and safety for which we long. Where we are weakest He will be strong.
Where Is Your Nest?
On our own, apart from the Lord, we don't know how to build a nest that's secure. We don't know where our hiding place is a lot of times. Too often we wait until difficulty comes, and we frantically try to throw together a nest - a piece of homespun philosophy here, what Oprah said there - anything to grasp at security. It's like the flimsy little nest I discovered on two dead branches outside our office.
Some of us even convince ourselves that we're doing okay all on our own. What we've latched onto seems good; but there is a big problem: The nests of security we build out of what the world has to offer are not anchored. They offer no real security, only the illusion of it. When the wind comes that flimsy little nest will fall. Security of our own making grants us no real abiding place.
I am not pointing any fingers here, because we're all guilty. We all start out wanting to find our security in things, people, and positions of power or honor. As Christians we look for security in our church, our Christian friends, or in our identity as a Bible study leader. Many of us women find our security in our identity as a wife or mother.
What we need is a place for our spirit that is solid and secure. God's Word is filled with assurances that He wants to be a shelter for us in times of trouble. He wants to be our rock (see Psalm 92), our fortress (see Psalm 18), and our strong tower (see Proverbs 18). These are all good images of places to where we can flee when danger has come upon us and we need a temporary hiding place. Yet, these are not intended as places to live for a long time.
What's so wonderful about David's imagery in Psalm 84 is that a nest is more than an emergency shelter. A nest is where you can live always. Here you can abide in peace when everything around us is being shaken or everything around you is still.
Where is your nest? What do you trust in for your security, peace, and strength? If you know the Lord as your God and Savior - has He become for you a nest where your spirit can flee to find the shelter it needs?
Softly and Tenderly
As children in Sunday school, we sang, "Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling." He called the apostle John in the book of the Revelation to "come up here." From the deep He called deeply and drew David's panting, longing heart to His presence. Throughout the ages and centuries He called, and one by one they came - with longing hearts and passionate desire, they were drawn to His secret place.
If you get quiet enough and listen, you'll hear Him calling you, too. Yes, the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself. David and so many others found their rest at the altars of the Lord. And now it's your turn. Softly, tenderly, quietly He's calling you from the depths of His wonderful presence. How will you respond? Will you join Him in the secret place?
Closing Prayer...
"Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus, Your Son. I am longing to enter a deeper place of fellowship with You, but I'm not quite sure I know how to get there. Help me find my secret place to meet with You. Help me open up the room in my heart that is meant for only You and me together, forever! Let me hear the song You are singing over the mountains, trying to reach my heart. Give me the song to sing that will so bless Your heart, and bring You great joy. Lord, come, and take all the bits and pieces of my life and my heart, and make it into a beautiful symphony of love of devotion to You! I love You! In Jesus' Name, Amen."
In Our Beloved!
Michal Ann Goll
Encounters Network
Email: info@encountersnetwork.com
