We laughed at a monk

Until he changed us forever

Hi,

(This will save many from stress, despair or worse this coming year... for anyone with "Ears to hear" what the Spirit is saying that is).

I'm quite ashamed to write this...

But one morning back in Bible College we arrived at morning chapel. Yet when we students realised who was the scheduled speaker... we all burst out laughing.

For out the window there below in the car park...

Was a monk.

In a brown cassock.

By this time jokes were flying thick and fast.

Sad because,

That monk deeply impacted all of us.

He chastened us with kindness.

And silenced us with purity.

Then finally...

He made us sob with the love pouring out of him for his Saviour... who it was obvious, he knew far deeper than any of us.

He spoke...

Of God's 'times and seasons'… of the rhythm of the year,

Life giving spring. Summer. Autumn...

Working the gardens. Tending crops. Harvest.

Icy winter meditations.

3am prayers.

A 'Time for everything' for GOD designed it so.

He then went on...

To share how many came to the monastery desperate for help from the monks. Desperate to escape life's problems, tribulations. Desperate for freedom.

And how many left.

Changed forever...

• Healed.

• Delivered.

• Serene.

Some left with faces shining, radiating the King of Heaven’s love.

And in answer to one student asking help he gave them this life changing advice…

"Go to your cell. Your cell will teach you everything."

Thirty years since, I’ve never forgotten this quiet man.

Or his advice which changed us forever.

He also admitted...

"I can't help you. I can't change you. I can't deliver you... but I know someone who loves you and who definitely will...

And He is waiting for you.

Inside your cell."

Not a prison cell...

A retreat cell.

You’d stay there two weeks. Six weeks. Six months.

If you dared.

Going almost stir crazy, he recounted many would flee within a few days,

Yet for those who stayed in their empty stone room, with only them and GOD... strange things started happening...

Way after all their prayers were exhausted.

When all their begging was done.

After their weeping tears dried.

Then,

He shared how the Good Shepherd would pick up each broken lamb in His arms and cuddle them back to life. Speaking kindly and wonderfully to them.

And instantly…

Their stone cell seemed to transform itself into a blazing mansion of glory right here on earth. Every question answered, without a word being spoken. Despairing souls began loving their spartan sanctuary.

Some got healed.

Others delivered from evil.

Extraordinary.

So here’s a suggestion for this new year… a year which I suspect is going to be very tough (from what I have received while in my prayer cell anyway) is simply this...

This year...

Above all else you do,

I can't help you. My life is (must seem to others) very boring...

Because I am in a cell, preparing for a wedding.

A marriage supper. Hopelessly in love.

Go to your cell.

And pray.

You will need to this year.

Dave.

PS For oil for the lamp in your cell when you want to see.

Fill it with the ‘Oil of Gladness’ it makes you shine too.

The Holy Spirit will give you yours…

“Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”

Hebrews 1:9 KJV

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Matthew 25:1-3 NKJV

In Korea is a place called Prayer Mountain. It's famous for miracles.

It’s FULL of oil. A mountain of oil.

Why do miracles happen here so regularly?

Intercessors go into 'prayer caves' for days, weeks and even longer with prayer requests for desperate cases. They intercede. They war for others in distress.

And REFUSE to come out…

Until,

The Holy Spirit gives them a clear witness. A definite assurance their request has been granted before the Throne of Grace in heaven.

Then after they leave the mountain…

Mysteriously,

Astonishing miracles arrive for struggling saints facing all sorts of challenges…