THE HARNESS OF THE LORD: by Bill Britton - 1918-1985

I remember receiving this word through brother Tom Bailey many MANY years ago while attending a house meeting in Crozet, Virginia. At that time the word came to me that I was a young rebellious colt as pictured in this vision. Indeed it has since proven to be a genuine word from the Lord. Yet, in God's providence and grace, He lassoed me with cords of love as I ran "free" and He led me into His corral to be trained. On reflection I am aware that our Lord used neither the whip nor spurs to "break" my rebellious spirit and to bring me into submission to his gentle and loving hand. He is indeed the divine horse whisperer. Realizing my brokenness I finally yielded to Him and I acknowledged my need to be purchased - added to His stable and be trained and groomed by the master's hand. That training and grooming still continues today. I am no longer my own but I've been bought with a price.

I believe, as with many truly God breathed utterances, this message is timeless and yet timely for it still speaks about and to us today. Perhaps it will speak to your heart as well as it did mine so many years ago.

THE HARNESS OF THE LORD

There is a terrific operation of the Spirit going on today to bring the Sons of God into an absolute confinement to the perfect will of God. This is the Day of His Preparation, the day in which He is preparing the channel through which He shall pour forth His Glory for all the world to see. This channel is His Body in the earth, that glorious company of people who are being conformed through much tribulation and fiery tests to the Image of the Son of God. This is His "battle axe and weapons of war" with which He shall subdue kingdoms and overcome all His enemies. This is His "mighty and strong One" to whom He shall commit the work of judging this world. This is His Overcomer, His "great army" with which He shall bring the nations into submission. The weapons of their warfare are not carnal, natural weapons, but they are mighty weapons, mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. These are those who shall "be strong and do exploits."

But before God can commit this great and tremendous ministry into their hands, they must submit themselves to the discipline of the Lord, letting Him truly be the Lord of their entire lives. We have long since dealt with the question of open sin, but now God is dealing with the inward rebellion of our own wills. Some good Christians are not now being so dealt with, for they are not in this Firstfruits Company, but nevertheless there is a real dealing of God going on within those who are called into the High Calling of God. This is a very real thing, and is the work of the Refiner's Fire. To those who are going through it, some of its aspects are horrible, but very necessary, and the end result thereof is glorious as we are brought into absolute and complete submission to the will of our Lord.

It was in a minister's conference and convention in Tulsa, Oklahoma that God gave me a vision which I want to share with you concerning this harnessing of our own wills. There were more than 30 ministers present in this particular Thursday morning service, and God, the Father of spirits, was present to deal with His sons, to correct them and discipline them to absolute obedience to His will. There was such a stern dealing in the Spirit that no one could go to the pulpit and minister, there was a reluctance among the ministers to say anything except that which was directly ordered by the Spirit. And as those men of God sat there in the awesome presence of Almighty God, some of them having many years of ministry, some missionaries, all of them capable of getting up and preaching a powerful sermon, I was impressed by the way they responded to the discipline of the Spirit. And in the midst of this terrific dealing of God with out spirits, the Holy Ghost gave me a vision…Bill Britton

I Saw the King's Carriage!

On a dirt road in the middle of a wide field stood a beautiful carriage, something on the order of a stagecoach, but all edged in god, and with beautiful carvings. It was pulled by six large chestnut horses, two in the lead, two in the middle and two in the rear. But they were not moving, they were not pulling the carriage, and I wondered why. Then I saw the driver underneath the carriage, on the ground on his back, just behind the last two horses' heels, working on something between the front wheels of the carriage. I though, "My, he is in a dangerous place; for if one of those horses kicked or stepped back, they could kill him, or if they decided to go forward, or got frightened somehow, they would pull the carriage right over him." But he didn't seem afraid, for he knew that those horses were disciplined and would not move till he told them to move. The horses were not stamping their feet nor acting restless, and though there were bells on their feet, the bells were not tinkling. There were pom-poms on their harness over their heads, but the pom-poms were not moving. They were simply standing still and quiet, waiting for the voice of the Master.

There were Two Young Colts in the Field

As I watched the harnessed horses, I noticed two young colts coming out of the open field, and they approached the carriage and seemed to say to the horses: "Come and play with us, we have many fine games, we will race with you, come catch us…" And with that the colts kicked up their heels, flicked their tails and raced across the open field. But when they looked back and saw the horses were not following, they were puzzled. They knew nothing of harnesses, and could not understand why the horses did not want to play. So they called to them: "Why do you not race with us? Are you tired? Are you too weak? Do you not have strength to run? You are much too solemn, you need more joy in life." But the horses answered not a word, nor did they stamp their feet or toss their heads. But they stood, quiet and still, waiting for the voice of the Master.

Again the colts called to them: "Why do you stand so in the hot sun? Come over here in the shade of this nice tree. See how green the grass is? You must be hungry, come and feed with us, it is so green and so good. You look thirsty, come drink of one of our many streams of cool clear water." But the horses answered them with not so much as a glance, but stood still, waiting for the command to go forward with the King.

Colts in the Master's Corral

And then the scene changed, and I saw lariat nooses fall around the necks of the two colts, and they were led off to the Master's corral for training and discipline. How sad they were as the lovely green fields disappeared, and they were put into the confinement of the Corral with its brown dirt and high fence. The colts ran from fence to fence, seeking freedom, but found that they were confined to this place of training. And then the Trainer began to work on them, with his Whip and His Bridle. What a death for those who had been all their lives accustomed to such a freedom! They could not understand the reason for this torture, this terrible discipline. What great crime had they done to deserve this? Little did they know of the responsibility that was to be theirs when they had submitted to the discipline, learned to perfectly obey the Master, and finished their training. All they knew was that this processing was the most horrible thing they had ever known.

Submission and Rebellion

One of the colts rebelled under the training, and said, "This is not for me. I like my freedom, my green hills, my flowing streams of fresh water. I will not take any more of this confinement, this terrible training." So he found a way out, jumped the fence and ran happily back to the meadows of grass. And I was astonished that the Master let him go, and went not after him. But He devoted His attention to the remaining colt. This colt, though he had the same opportunity to escape, decided to submit his own will, and learn the ways of the Master. And the training got harder than ever, but he was rapidly learning more and more how to obey the slightest wish of the Master, and to respond to even the quietness of His voice. And I saw that had there been no training, no testing, there would have been neither submission nor rebellion from either of the colts. For in the field they did not have the choice to rebel or submit, they were sinless in their innocence. But when brought to the place of testing and training and discipline, then was made manifest the obedience of one and the rebellion that lay hidden in the heart of the other. And though it seemed safer not to come to the place of discipline because of the risk of being found rebellious, yet I saw that without this there could be no sharing of His glory, no Sonship.

Into the Harness

Finally this period of training was over. Was he now rewarded with his freedom, and sent back to the fields? Oh no. But a greater confinement than ever now took place, as a harness dropped about his shoulders. Now he found there was not even the freedom to run about the small corral, for in the harness he could only move where and when his Master spoke. And unless the Master spoke, he stood still.

The scene changed, and I saw the other colt standing on the side of a hill, nibbling at some grass. Then across the fields, down the road came the King's carriage, drawn by six horses. With amazement he saw that in the lead, on the right side, was his brother colt, now made strong and mature on the good corn in the Master's stable. He saw the lovely pom-poms shaking in the wind, noticed the glittering gold bordered harness about his brother, heard the beautiful tinkling of the bells on his feet… and envy came into his heart. Thus he complained to himself: "Why has my brother been so honored, and I am neglected? They have not put bells on my feet, nor pom-poms on my head. The Master has not given me the wonderful responsibility of pulling His carriage, nor put about me the golden harness. Why have they chosen my brother instead of me?" And by the Spirit the answer came back to me as I watched. "Because one submitted to the will and discipline of the Master, and one rebelled, thus has one been chosen and the other set aside."

A Famine in the Land

Then I saw a great drought sweep across the countryside, and the green grass became dead, dry, brown and brittle. The little streams of water dried up, stopped flowing, and there was only a small muddy puddle here and there. I saw the little colt (I was amazed that it never seemed to grow or mature) as he ran here and there, across the fields looking for fresh streams and green pastures, finding none. Still he ran, seemingly in circles, always looking for something to feed his famished spirit. But there was a famine in the land, and the rich green pastures and flowing streams of yesterday were not to be had. And one day the colt stood on the hillside on weak and wobbly legs, wondering where to go next to find food, and how to get strength to go. Seemed like there was no use, for good food and flowing streams were a thing of the past, and all the efforts to find more only taxed his waning strength. Suddenly he saw the King's carriage coming down the road, pulled by six great horses. And he saw his brother, fat and strong, muscles rippling, sleek and beautiful with much grooming. His heart was amazed and perplexed, and he cried out: "My brother, where do you find the food to keep you strong and fat in these days of famine? I have run everywhere in my freedom, searching for food, and I find none. Where do you, in your awful confinement, find food in this time of drought? Tell me, please, for I must know!" And then the answer came back from a voice filled with victory and praise: "In my Master's House, there is a secret place in the confining limitations of His stables where He feeds me by His own hand, and His granaries never run empty, and His well never runs dry." And with this the Lord made me to know that in the day when people are weak and famished in their spirits in the time of spiritual famine, that those who have lost their own wills, and have come into the secret place of the most High, into the utter confinement of His perfect will, shall have plenty of the corn of Heaven, and a never ending flow of fresh streams of revelation by His Spirit. Thus the vision ended.

Interpretation of the Vision

"Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." (Habakkuk 2:2) "Harness the horses: and get up, ye horsemen" (Jeremiah 46:4).

I'm sure that many of you who can hear what the Spirit saith to the Church, have already seen what God was showing in the vision. But let me make it plain. Being born into the Family of God, feeding in the green pastures and drinking of the many streams of the unfolding revelation of His purposes is fine and wonderful. But it is not enough. While we were children, young, undisciplined, limited only by the outer fence of the Law that ran around the limits of the pastures, (that kept us from getting into the dark pastures of poison weeds), He was content to watch us develop and grow into young manhood, spiritually speaking. But the time came to those who fed in His pastures, and drank at His streams, when they were to be brought into discipline or "child-training" for the purpose of making them mature Sons. Many of the children today cannot understand why some of those who have put on the harness of God cannot get excited by the many religious games and the playful antics of the immature. They wonder why the disciplined ones run not after every new revelation or feed on every opportunity to engage in seemingly "good and profitable" religious activities. They wonder why some will not race with them in their frantic efforts to build great works and great and notable ministries. They cannot understand the simple fact that this Company of saints is waiting for the voice of the Master, and they do not hear God in all this outward activity. They will move in their time, when the Master speaks. But not before, though many temptations come from the playful colts. And the colts cannot understand why those who seemingly appear to have great abilities and strength are not putting it to good use. "Get the carriage on the road", they say, but the disciplined ones, those in God's harness, know better than to move before they hear the voice of the Master. They will move in their time, with great purpose, and great responsibility.

And the Lord made me to know that there were many whom He had brought into training who had rebelled against the discipline, the chastising of the Father. And they could not be trusted with the great responsibility of mature Sonship, so he let them go back to their freedom, back to their religious activities and revelations and gifts. They are still His people, still feeding in His pastures, but He has set them aside from the great purposes for the end of the age. So they revel in their freedom, feeling that they are the Chosen ones with the many streams of living water, not knowing that they have been set aside as unfit for His great work in this end of the Age.

And He showed me that though the chastising seemeth grievous for the time, and the discipline hard to endure, yet the result with all the glory of Sonship is worth it all, and the glory to follow far exceeds the suffering we endure. And though some lose even their lives in this training, yet they will share alike in the glory of His eternal purposes. So faint not, saints of God, for it is the Lord that doth bring thee into confinement, and not thine enemy. It is for thy good, and for His glory, so endure all things with praises and thanksgiving that He hath counted thee worthy to share His glory! Fear thou not the whip in His hand, for it is not to punish thee, but to correct and train thee, that thou mightest come into submission to His will, and be found in His likeness in that Hour. Rejoice thou in thy trials, in all thy tribulations, and glory thou in His cross, and in the confining limitations of His harness, for He hath chosen thee, and He hath taken upon Himself the responsibility of keeping thee strong and well fed, so lean thou upon Him, and trust not in thin own ability and thine own understanding. So shalt thou be fed, and His hand shall be upon thee, and His glory shall overshadow thee and shall flow through thee as it goes forth to cover the earth. Glory to God! Bless the Lord, He's wonderful! Let Him be Lord of your life, friends, and complain not at that which He bringeth to pass in your life.

Plenty in the Time of Famine

For in the hour when famine sweeps the land, He shall feed by His own hand those who are submitted to His perfect will, and who dwell in the secret place of the Most High. When terror stalks the land, those in His harness hall not be afraid, for they shall feel His bit and bridle and know the guidance of His Spirit. When others are weak and frail and fearful, there shall be those who shall be strong in the power of His might, and shall lack for no good thing. In the hour when the traditions of the religious systems have proven false, and their streams have dried up, then His Chosen ones shall speak forth with the true Word of the Lord. So rejoice, Sons of God, that you have been chosen by His grace for this great work in this last hour.

The fence which kept the colts in their own meadows and their own pastures mean nothing to the team in the harness, for the gates open to them, and they go forth pulling the king's carriage into many strange and wonderful places. They do not stop to eat the poison weeds of sin, for they feed only in the Master's stable. These fields they trample under their feet as they go forth on the King's business. And so to those who are brought into absolute subjection to His will, there is no Law. For they move in the Grace of God, led only by His Spirit where all things are lawful but not all things are expedient. This is a dangerous realm for the undisciplined, and many have perished in sin as they leaped over the fence without His harness and His bridle. Some have though of themselves as being completely harnessed and submissive to Him, only to find that in some avenue of their life there dwelled rebellion and self-will. Let us wait before Him until He puts His noose around us and draws us to His place of training. And let us learn of the dealings of God and the movings of His Spirit until at last we feel His harness drop about us, and hear His voice guiding us. Then there is safety from the traps and pitfalls of sin, and then shall we abide in His house forever!

Help Is Not A Four Letter Word - Part 3

"I have nothing to write," I thought to myself. "It's as though every drop of inspiration in my body has just evaporated". Just then, a phrase, like some advertising banner behind a biplane, floated across my mind. It said, "Diagnosis - Inspiration Dehydration" "That pretty much describes my condition Doc, I said out loud and I chuckled to myself.

When you've spent any amount of time on the top of Mount Inspiration - enjoying the panorama from that high place - it is difficult to come down or to 'come back to earth', as my mother used to say. Well, I had 'come down from the mountain alright - and not into some lush green valley below, but into a stark, sweltering, barren and lifeless desert.

"Where am I? How did I get here?" I thought to myself. I silently surveyed my surroundings. Spread out before me was nothing more than an arid expanse of colorless flat plain - not even worthy of being called a landscape. It was obviously a desert and yet there were no majestic wind swept sand dunes, no distinguishable landmarks on the horizon and no visible oasis - just flat, barren, brown lifeless nothingness - as far as the eye could see.

Morpheus' words from the Matrix came to mind: "Welcome to the desert of the real."

I heard the sound of a breeze blowing across the plain and then an all too familiar voice said;

"There's another term for it you know."

"For what" I said," somewhat startled.

"For what you call the desert", He responded.

"And I guess you're going to tell me whether I ask or not." I said rather sarcastically.

"No" He said, "I won't unless you really want me to. If you prefer I can just withdraw and let you figure it out for yourself!, if you can!"

"OK, Ok," I said, "Will you please tell me just what you are talking about?"

"The wilderness!" Spirit replied. "The proper name for this desert is 'the wilderness'. It may not look like much but a lot of famous people have been here. It's what they call in the auto industry, a proving ground. It's where He tests all the new vehicles."

"Thanks for the help," I said, "but what does the wilderness have to do with anything and why am I here?"

"You're here to learn." He said. "Just think about it for a minute."

"Think about what?" I said somewhat caustically. This going nowhere conversation was beginning to remind me of one of those endless 'why' conversations I've had with my three year old granddaughter! It was obvious that I was getting irritated.

"Settle down! Take a deep breath and chill!" He chided. "That's better. Now breathe in again, slowly. Good! Exhale. That's it. Just let go. You're doing great. Now just close your eyes..."

I closed my eyes and began to really relax. I could feel the warm breeze softly caressing my face. It seemed as though time stood still - very still. The world was shrouded in a hush. A marvelous peace enveloped me.

"You're doing great!" He whispered. "Just keep it up..slowly...slowly. Good!"

"Now, I want you to meditate on a word. That's it, breathe...listen carefully...slowly...the word is... wilderness."

"Wilderness" I whispered to myself, "Wilderness."

"Now, tell me the first thing that comes to your mind."

The word just exploded into my consciousness.

"Moses!" I said.

"What about Moses?" He whispered. "Tell me what else you see."

"It's more remembering than seeing." I replied. "I was remembering how Moses killed the Egyptian for mistreating an Israelite and then fled into the wilderness. If my memory serves me right, Moses spent 40 years there before returning to Egypt and fulfilling his destiny as the deliverer of God's people."

"Anything else you can think of?" He said. "Stay focused and listen!"

Well, I seem to remember that the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness of Sinai for 40 years after being led by Moses out of Egypt. They were made to wander there because of their disobedience." I responded.

"And"...

"Well, Jesus went to the wilderness." I said confidently. "I remember the whole thing. I think it's in Matthew and Luke's gospels in the fourth chapter."

"Let me ask you one more question. How & why did Jesus go to the wilderness?" the Spirit asked. "Go ahead and tell me what you remember."

Well, as far as I can remember," I said, "the sequence of events is as follows."

"Jesus goes to the Jordan river and is baptized by John the Baptist. I'm not sure if John was Southern Baptist, Missionary Baptist or Anabaptist? But anyway, as soon as Jesus came up out of the water the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit (oh I mean You) descended upon him in the form of a dove and a voice from heaven said,"

"This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."

Matthew says that Jesus, being "full of the holy Spirit, was led 'by You' into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."

"Wow! My memory sure seems to be improving!" I said. "It's been so bad lately that I've been joking that I have 'old timers' disease, but now it's great! I feel like a new man!"

"You are a new man!" Spirit said, "Glad to be of Help."

"So Spirit," I asked, "what bearing does all this have on my question - Why am I here?"

"I told you. You're here to learn and I can tell you with full confidence, that you already know more than you realize. In fact, I think you already know the answer to your own question. May I ask you something."

"Sure. Go right ahead." I said.

Spirit spoke, "When you think about Moses, the Israelites and Jesus' journey here - do you see any common thread? Some similarity?"

"Well the number 40 immediately comes to mind." I replied.

"Besides that", Spirit asked.

"Actually, I said confidently, "right this instant I find myself thinking that it was the place where God "proves" his man or His people. It seems to me that the wilderness is a place where the conditions are so harsh that human resources are not sufficient for survival. Another danger is that the terrain is so flat, barren and monotonous, you can easily become lost and just wander in circles - like the children of Israel. It's also the place where you learn victory over temptation, as Jesus did! It's where you learn God-reliance instead of self-reliance."

"One lesson I've learned already is to cry for HELP, mean it AND receive it, or, I mean receive You! I realize that the most important lesson is not to trust your human senses, instincts or abilities but to trust in God and to learn to be led by the Spirit. I mean, to listen to and respond to - YOU!"

"Did I get the right answer?!" I beamed! I was feeling very inspired and insightful!

"I'm very sorry." He said.

"I felt totally dejected as once again I hung my head and stared down at my shoes!"

"I said I'm sorry because this isn't a quiz." Spirit said. " There is no right answer only YOUR answer - YOUR insight. All that matters is what insights or light you have received!"

"Excellent, George", He continued. "I'm glad to see you using your head for something more than an advertisement for Stetson hats. Do you mind if I shed a little more light on this subject for you?"

"No, please go right ahead, I'm all ears." I grinned.

He interjected, "Thanks for sparing me the Ross Perot impersonation. I enjoyed it the first time but I've always found his voice to be rather annoying."

"Me too!" I admitted.

"Well, what I wanted to say, George, is that everything you have perceived is true, insightful and valuable! I also want you to understand that the wilderness is a necessary and essential part of the journey. The truth is, it is impossible to travel from Egypt (which represents the world system) to Canaan (or the place of promise and presence) without crossing the wilderness! There is no way to avoid it! There is no other route and there are no shortcuts!! He designed it that way!

"Crossing the wilderness is not a race or a time trial. How long it takes to learn the lessons of the wilderness and to complete the wilderness journey, is up to you! For the Israelites, it was actually only a short journey from Egypt to Canaan - by the most direct route. In the time of the Exodus a splendid road existed which ran up the coast through the country of the Phillistines and the total distance was not over 250 miles, or about a months journey. But as you mentioned, it took the Israelites 40 years to make that 250 mile crossing!"

"It was not God's good pleasure or his "will" that they should wander so long in the wilderness. He would have brought them immediately to the promised land, had they submitted, and loved to be led by Him; but because they so often grieved Him (and me) in the desert, He swore in His wrath they should not enter His rest. In the end, only two who completely followed and trusted in Him and made it into Canaan - Joshua and Caleb."

"The bottom line is that the wilderness is the place where you must learn THE LESSON! What's THE LESSON? It is to learn to walk by faith and not by sight! Without faith it is impossible to please Him! This IS the first requirement if you are to be be a vehicle or vessel of honor that God can fully utilize! "

"Wow! Whew! I never really understood any of this before- only bits and pieces. It seems so clear to me now!" I said. "This revelation sure helps me to understand much of what has happened in my own journey! For so much of my Christian life I have felt so dry, barren and unfruitful. I have tried so long and so hard to "make it" only to realize that I was just spinning my wheels, going in circles and making no real or lasting progress! What I accomplished with all my efforts was simply burnout and disillusionment! But NOW, you've really opened my eyes! I've been in the wilderness all this time without even realizing it! And all this time I've been exhausting myself trying to find my way in my own strength!

You've given me a lot to think about and right now I'm totally overwhelmed!"

"Thank you for the vote of confidence," Spirit said. "There's one last thing I'd like you to ponder. One last question? Are you ready?"

"Shoot!" I said.

"What differences do you see in Moses before and after his wilderness experience?"

"I'm not sure", I said. " but one thing is evident to me. When Moses returned he sure had more chutspa. He really stood up to Pharaoh - no more scared little Moses running away into the desert...AND when he returned, He not only had seen God but He knew how to hear from God on an ongoing basis. There was a power - an authority about him. That much even I can see."

"Those are certainly valuable insights". Spirit said. "May I ask you one last question?"

I nodded my head.

What difference is there about Jesus when He emerges from His wilderness experience?"

"I don't have a clue." I said. " Would you give me a hint, please?"

"Ok", Spirit said, "Here it is... Luke 4:14!"

Instantly like a ticker tape I saw these words moving in front of my eyes.

"And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit and...

news about Him spread throughout the surrounding district."

"Wow. That's powerful!" I said. I knew that now I really had a lot to think about!

To Be continued

Help Is Not a Four Letter Word! Part 2

"I'm hearing voices in my head and that's not good." I thought. "What do they call that? Oh yes, Schizophrenia that's it? Just great, I'm losing my mind."

Just then I felt a breeze of sorts. It was like someone was blowing softly on the back of my neck?! Then the voice said:

"You're really not crazy, you know!"

I whirled around , my eyes darting up and down trying see every nook and cranny in the room - seeing nothing or no one.

"If you're really there and not a figment of my imagination why can't I see you? "If you're really there then show yourself." I demanded!

"So what you're saying to me is that as far as you're concerned only seeing is believing? Is that right!"

"Well, ah I ah..."

The 'voice' continued:

"Let me ask you a question," He said. "Can you see the internet? Can you see the waves or signal that carries it to your laptop? Even though it's 'invisible' do you still believe it's really there?"

"Ah yea - no, but that's different and ah..."

He interrupted:,

"Not so different! Let me ask you another question. How about the radio? You turn it on and you 'hear" voices, don't you? You can't see anyone but yet you listen to them. You believe that they are real without any physical evidence."

"Well, I uh....

"You used to listen to Rush Limbaugh religiously everyday at lunch, didn't you?

"Well I used to, yes."

"I knew that. I also happen to know you used to believe everything that Rush said! Yet you've never seen him, either. You don't even know if he really exists, do you?! You have absolutely NO proof!"

"Oh yes, I have seen Rush with my very own little blue beadies!" I retorted. "I've seen him on TV any number of times."

"Score one for me!" I thought.

"So, what you're telling me, He said calmly, "is that you believe there's a Rush Limbaugh because you saw him on the television. Is that right?"

"Ah, well, yes. Sure I do. Of course."

"Really! Huh. Let me ask you another question. Did you see Star Wars when it was on T.V.?"

"Sure I did. It's one of my all time favorites!"

"I knew that, too. How about, 'The Lord of the Rings'?"

"Guilty as charged, I said. "So what?!"

"Do you believe that all the creatures you saw in those movies are real - that they exist - simply because you saw them on T.V.? How about Orcs, Oilyphants, Ewoks, talking robots, Wookies, Jaba the Hutt, Gollum...?"

"Okay, Okay...Well of course not!" That's ridiculous. You know and I know they're not real. I'm not stupid you know!"

"I didn't say you were. Hmmmm, Interesting! "

So thus far, we have established that 'sometimes' you listen to and trust in voices you hear and believe they are real even though you have never seen or even met those people in person. Other times you trust in voices because you have "seen" them on T.V. but yet you don't always believe what you see on T.V. or what you hear - is that correct?"

"Well, yes, I guess." I was getting frustrated. "Go ahead and make your point." I said, feeling quite irritated..

"I think I have already done that quite sufficiently. Sounds to me like you're the one who is a little confused and not too consistent about what, who and why you believe."

"Let me ask you one more question. Do you believe in the wind?"

"That's a silly question. Of course, EVERYBODY believes in the wind."

"How do you know the wind exists? Did you SEE IT on T.V.? Can you prove it exists?

"Now I've got you", I thought!

"Of course you can't "see" the wind but you can hear it sometimes and you can "feel" the wind and...

He interrupted again!

"Do you believe everything you feel is real?"

"Can I finish please!" I said, feeling quite annoyed. I chose my next words carefully and for maximum effect.

"Not only can you feel the wind (like on your face) but you can see the effects of the wind! You know, swaying trees, blowing sand, moving clouds, amber waves of grain and all that. That's how I KNOW the wind exists! Get it!"

Precisely! He said triumphantly.

"Precisely what?" I queried.

I thought you'd never ask! Precisely what HE said to Nick - about Me!!!"

"Said about you? To Nick who? You're not making any sense!"

"Why Nick O. Demas. That's who HE said it to. You Remember." He said confidently..

"You're right, I do remember, It's in John's gospel. The second chapter!"

"You're absolutely right. Please go ahead - tell it to me."

"Well", I said, "Nick O. Demas was a ruler of the Jews and he came at night to see Jesus." (Probably because he didn't want to be seen by other of the Jewish Temple big wigs.)

Anyway, Nick said to Jesus, "We (leaders of the Jews) know you are a teacher sent from God because no one could do the miracles and stuff that you do unless God was with him."

Jesus then said to Nick, "I tell you that you must be born, again to inherit the Kingdom of God."

Nick didn't get it so He said to Jesus, 'Huh? Born again? I don't get it? How can I be born again? Do I have to get back into my mommies tummy and come out a second time? How is that possible.?"

"You're right. You don't get it Nick." Jesus said, "I'm not talking about just being born by coming out of the 'water' or amniotic fluid in your mother's womb a second time, but you must be born of the Spirit, to inherit the kingdom of God. That which is born of flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. So don't be so astounded when I say, you must be born again."

"I think, at this point", I said, "Nick looked quite puzzled despite Jesus' explanation. So the Lord tried to explain it to Him another way. Jesus said...

"Ooooo this is My favorite part" He interrrupted.

"Can I finish please - without interruption!"

"So then Jesus said, "Nick it's kind of like the wind. It blows where it wishes! You hear the sound of it - but you have no idea where it comes from or where it is going. That's the way it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

"Are you tracking with me, Nick?" Jesus said.

"I can't believe that I remembered the whole thing, I exclaimed. That's amazing! I haven't read that in a long long time!"

"It's not so amazing to me." He said.

"Why not? I asked.

"Because I've been helping you to remember what He said. After all that is one of my prime directives. You know, to "bring to remembrance whatever He said." Of course I also help people get "born again - that's a biggie!"

"Oh my God" I exclaimed, "Then you're..."

"Up close and in person," He replied.

"I'm blown away!" I exclaimed.

"Nice metaphor." He said. "But you shouldn't be surprised. You asked me to come and I only go where I'm invited.....or sent!"

"How, when?"...I stammered.

"And I quote." You said,

"...I have a one track mind." What kind of a clue is that? No doubt I'm really going to need some HELP to figure that out!"

"You said HELP, so here I am. So...How can I help you?"

To Be continued