Dreams, do you have them?
We all do, and we remember some. These are visions of thoughts that
often can’t be expressed or intellectualized consciously. They require a
subconscious picture, albeit, often a strange one. Dreams may be scary or wonderful, but it
seems not usually things in between. Let
me share a recent dream that can be coupled with a December blog regarding a
head-on auto accident my wife Pam and I
suffered on an Island trip.
I have mentioned that for a couple of years, I served on the
pastoral staff of a large church. A very difficult schism occurred causing all
of the pastors except me to be forced out. It was a very dark and frightening
experience that stretched out for more than a year. Because of the darkness and
the resulting depression in my life, it was very difficult to function well in
ministry. The thought and requirement to preach was particularly challenging. I labored
for many hours over Scripture and Biblical commentaries to fashion words of
encouragement and challenge. Fear was palpable until I started to speak from
the pulpit.
I awoke with a start recently out of a deep and dream-filled
sleep. The dream was very strong and clear to me, let me tell a bit. I was leading this same church, or one like
it. I was to preach and seemed to be the only Pastor around. I had prepared the
sermon with great travail. As I moved to the sanctuary, it was gone, the sermon
text was lost! I was terrified. I looked around everywhere. The congregation
became restless. It seemed hours as I searched and the voices rose in rancor
and rebellion it seemed. I was pushed toward the pulpit without a sermon. I was
shaking. Just as I stepped up on the chancel, the Lord spoke to me saying, ‘Psalm
27 is your text, “The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The
Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?”’ Yes, God was alive and speaking peace and strength
to me. As I turned to greet the congregation, I awoke. He is faithful, and will
respond and supply all our needs in His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Fear
Not and dream on!

Praise the Lord!!!
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