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The Bride of Christ thread
- Thread starter kisstheson
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Here's a discussion I had on another forum where someone asked me to tall them more about Jesus. I thought it would bless and encourage you if I share it here.
AMY:
In Jesus I have come home. He is my Brother, My Teacher, My Shepherd, My Beloved and my Mother. Who was the first person who showed me unconditional love?
how did you know he loved you? How did you know it was unconditional? How was this shown to you personally?
AMY:
After all my “why God” questions and, “how come God allows…?” One night while standing outside of a church I found my answer looking at three stained glass windows depicting the Passion of Jesus. From that moment on Jesus has always revealed His unconditional love to me whenever I think about His sufferings. Although I had always known that He died for the world, on that night back in February of 71 He gave me the grace to see that all He endured was for me personally. No one else was there with me standing outside that church witnessing or telling me “how to get saved.” He caused me to understand that His loved me totally, completely and without reserve.
Who was the first one who had time for me, understood all my pains and hurts and was willing to share my joys?
Can you explain this more? For instance, what made you feel like He had time for you? That He understood you? And wanted to "share" with you?
AMY:
This knowledge always came by looking at the suffering Christ whether it be through art, meditating on the Passion story in the gospels, or listening to any music that would stir my soul to love Him. Studying Jesus crucified is such a picture of yearning love and compassion. Looking into His eyes I see my own pain reflected there. Of course He understands me! His heart pierced through with a Roman spear means that He has given His very heart to me. He became naked and vulnerable on the cross withholding nothing. Yes He wants to share everything with me. The cross is a portrayal of someone who wants to love and be with the beloved. Naturally He would want to spend time with me.
Who was with me in the lonely times?
How did you know He was there?
AMY:
I felt this inwardly. I heard His speaking to me within my spirit. Outwardly His presence seemed to hover over me.
Who held me during the dark and frightful night?
what do you mean held you? Is this something you "tangibly" felt?
AMY:
He gave me the faith to believe that He was right there with me. I didn’t see Him as an ethereal spirit floating around in heaven, or sitting on the throne only. I was certain that wherever I was Jesus was in and beside me. The lyrics to this traditional Celtic hymn describe well my experience:
I lie down this night at end of day
In the fellowship of Christ Son of Mary
In the fellowship of Gracious Father Glory
In the fellowship of the Spirit of Grace
Chorus: Your arm underneath my head
My dreams sheltered in Your peace
I lie down this night myself with God
And God this night will lie down with me
And sin shall not share our resting place
Nor will its shadow ever harm me
(Chorus)
I lie down this night with the Advocate
The Advocate this night will lie down with me
I lie down this night with the Trinity
And the Three of my Lord shall join me
(Chorus)
Because I believed Jesus was literally holding me in His arms I would often cry, or tell Him my fears. I knew if God would ever remove the “veil” form my eyes I would wake up looking into the literal face of Jesus.
Who was the first to tell me I was absolutely beautiful, not just inwardly but outwardly as well.
how did He tell you this?
AMY:
He spoke this to my inner heart, also through reading His word, especially the Song of Solomon. He sent me “signs” along the way, tangible gifts of bouquets of roses, cards…He would His inspire people to do these things but I never knew who send them. One time a man in a prayer group sang my favorite verses in the Song of Solomon over me. He said he seldom read that book. He felt Christ had simply impressed it on his heart to sing to me, right in the middle of the prayer group. There are other examples but this post would be way too long. LOL!
Who was the One who accepted me totally and completely for...me...Amy...
How did you know that you were finally accepted for who you were?
AMY:
It was a process. I tried all the fads of the Charismatic circles. From hippie, to wearing dresses and head coverings, to Christian heavy metal, always trying to find out who I was. I would leave church crying most every Sunday and feeling like I didn’t fit in. There were years of heartache. Many times I would go into the arms of Jesus. Then I had a crisis of faith and that was what led me deeper into truly knowing that Christ really accepted me for who I was.
Who took the little girl that missed the breast of her mother and never bonded with her natural mother? His name is Jesus. Jesus gave me to drink of the wound in His side. He was the One who dried and kissed my tears away. He is my strength and support.
Will you tell me more about what you know about Jesus?
AMY:
How about if I tell you more about my crisis of faith and how Jesus pulled me out?
AMY:
In Jesus I have come home. He is my Brother, My Teacher, My Shepherd, My Beloved and my Mother. Who was the first person who showed me unconditional love?
how did you know he loved you? How did you know it was unconditional? How was this shown to you personally?
AMY:
After all my “why God” questions and, “how come God allows…?” One night while standing outside of a church I found my answer looking at three stained glass windows depicting the Passion of Jesus. From that moment on Jesus has always revealed His unconditional love to me whenever I think about His sufferings. Although I had always known that He died for the world, on that night back in February of 71 He gave me the grace to see that all He endured was for me personally. No one else was there with me standing outside that church witnessing or telling me “how to get saved.” He caused me to understand that His loved me totally, completely and without reserve.
Who was the first one who had time for me, understood all my pains and hurts and was willing to share my joys?
Can you explain this more? For instance, what made you feel like He had time for you? That He understood you? And wanted to "share" with you?
AMY:
This knowledge always came by looking at the suffering Christ whether it be through art, meditating on the Passion story in the gospels, or listening to any music that would stir my soul to love Him. Studying Jesus crucified is such a picture of yearning love and compassion. Looking into His eyes I see my own pain reflected there. Of course He understands me! His heart pierced through with a Roman spear means that He has given His very heart to me. He became naked and vulnerable on the cross withholding nothing. Yes He wants to share everything with me. The cross is a portrayal of someone who wants to love and be with the beloved. Naturally He would want to spend time with me.
Who was with me in the lonely times?
How did you know He was there?
AMY:
I felt this inwardly. I heard His speaking to me within my spirit. Outwardly His presence seemed to hover over me.
Who held me during the dark and frightful night?
what do you mean held you? Is this something you "tangibly" felt?
AMY:
He gave me the faith to believe that He was right there with me. I didn’t see Him as an ethereal spirit floating around in heaven, or sitting on the throne only. I was certain that wherever I was Jesus was in and beside me. The lyrics to this traditional Celtic hymn describe well my experience:
I lie down this night at end of day
In the fellowship of Christ Son of Mary
In the fellowship of Gracious Father Glory
In the fellowship of the Spirit of Grace
Chorus: Your arm underneath my head
My dreams sheltered in Your peace
I lie down this night myself with God
And God this night will lie down with me
And sin shall not share our resting place
Nor will its shadow ever harm me
(Chorus)
I lie down this night with the Advocate
The Advocate this night will lie down with me
I lie down this night with the Trinity
And the Three of my Lord shall join me
(Chorus)
Because I believed Jesus was literally holding me in His arms I would often cry, or tell Him my fears. I knew if God would ever remove the “veil” form my eyes I would wake up looking into the literal face of Jesus.
Who was the first to tell me I was absolutely beautiful, not just inwardly but outwardly as well.
how did He tell you this?
AMY:
He spoke this to my inner heart, also through reading His word, especially the Song of Solomon. He sent me “signs” along the way, tangible gifts of bouquets of roses, cards…He would His inspire people to do these things but I never knew who send them. One time a man in a prayer group sang my favorite verses in the Song of Solomon over me. He said he seldom read that book. He felt Christ had simply impressed it on his heart to sing to me, right in the middle of the prayer group. There are other examples but this post would be way too long. LOL!
Who was the One who accepted me totally and completely for...me...Amy...
How did you know that you were finally accepted for who you were?
AMY:
It was a process. I tried all the fads of the Charismatic circles. From hippie, to wearing dresses and head coverings, to Christian heavy metal, always trying to find out who I was. I would leave church crying most every Sunday and feeling like I didn’t fit in. There were years of heartache. Many times I would go into the arms of Jesus. Then I had a crisis of faith and that was what led me deeper into truly knowing that Christ really accepted me for who I was.
Who took the little girl that missed the breast of her mother and never bonded with her natural mother? His name is Jesus. Jesus gave me to drink of the wound in His side. He was the One who dried and kissed my tears away. He is my strength and support.
Will you tell me more about what you know about Jesus?
AMY:
How about if I tell you more about my crisis of faith and how Jesus pulled me out?
Your arm underneath my head. My dreams sheltered in Your peace.
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aww 
that's so beautiful. Thank you for sharing this, I was so touched by what you wrote. I praise Jesus for how He has revealed Himself to you! Some of what you described I have experienced as well. The picture is incredible.
God bless!
that's so beautiful. Thank you for sharing this, I was so touched by what you wrote. I praise Jesus for how He has revealed Himself to you! Some of what you described I have experienced as well. The picture is incredible.God bless!
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Thanks Monica!
I think that picture is my favorite out of all the illustrations I have ever done. I would like to talk about some the symbolism I put in it.
I think that picture is my favorite out of all the illustrations I have ever done. I would like to talk about some the symbolism I put in it.
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Here's what I had in mind when I painted this picture:
The forest represents our deep place of intimacy with Christ, the secret place. Jesus is resting with His Bride. He invites us to to come and rest with Him because He is meek and gentle of Heart. Through the flowering tree branches we can see blue waters. This is a stream. "As the deer longs for the water brooks so does my soul long for You." Psalm 42. The streams of life come from the heart of Jesus. Christ is holding in His hand wild flowers and two white lilies. The wild flowers represent His humility and the two lilies the purity and the resurrection life that is found in our union with the Bridegroom. The Bride rests her fingers on the wound in Christ's hand recalling His love for her. Jesus is wrapped in a red garmnet symbolizing His blood and Passion. The halo over His head shows us that He is the only light in the forest and a reminder of the verse in the Song of Solomon. 'My Beloved is radiant." SOS 5:10
The forest represents our deep place of intimacy with Christ, the secret place. Jesus is resting with His Bride. He invites us to to come and rest with Him because He is meek and gentle of Heart. Through the flowering tree branches we can see blue waters. This is a stream. "As the deer longs for the water brooks so does my soul long for You." Psalm 42. The streams of life come from the heart of Jesus. Christ is holding in His hand wild flowers and two white lilies. The wild flowers represent His humility and the two lilies the purity and the resurrection life that is found in our union with the Bridegroom. The Bride rests her fingers on the wound in Christ's hand recalling His love for her. Jesus is wrapped in a red garmnet symbolizing His blood and Passion. The halo over His head shows us that He is the only light in the forest and a reminder of the verse in the Song of Solomon. 'My Beloved is radiant." SOS 5:10
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Cool symbolism!
I keep looking at this picture and studying it.
What I love most about it is that it represents the peace we feel when we're with Jesus. That's really precious to me.
You have a gift for expressing feelings through your artwork
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Thank you!
Cool symbolism!
I keep looking at this picture and studying it.
What I love most about it is that it represents the peace we feel when we're with Jesus. That's really precious to me.
You have a gift for expressing feelings through your artwork
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O spreading pine branches thou hidest well my Love within thee
Yet grace I have obtained, yea, His robe of purest white I see
His presence lights the woodland and my shadowy way
What was dark and frightful now ‘tis bright as day
The rose leaf arch above Him, amid the vines in forest green
My Love within the clover leaf appears in beauty serene
Yet grace I have obtained, yea, His robe of purest white I see
His presence lights the woodland and my shadowy way
What was dark and frightful now ‘tis bright as day
The rose leaf arch above Him, amid the vines in forest green
My Love within the clover leaf appears in beauty serene
The trees lose their golden covering gracefully to the forest floor
Like tiny maidens in skirts of gold they dance about Him and adore
The Apple Tree rises behind Him, branches reaching far and wide
Beneath this Tree Jesus calls me to abide
Alas when I approach my Beloved became lost to me
There only remained within my grasp the great and mighty Tree
Like tiny maidens in skirts of gold they dance about Him and adore
The Apple Tree rises behind Him, branches reaching far and wide
Beneath this Tree Jesus calls me to abide
Alas when I approach my Beloved became lost to me
There only remained within my grasp the great and mighty Tree
The terrible vastness of the Tree seemed the whole world to fill
“No comfort hath this Tree for me,” I wept, my heart I could not still
Without my Love near what means thy fruit laiden branches, thy pleasant shade?
And I fell to the ground from whence the Tree was made
Suddenly where ‘twas rough bark my beloved appeared
He raised me to my feet and gently wiped my tears
“No comfort hath this Tree for me,” I wept, my heart I could not still
Without my Love near what means thy fruit laiden branches, thy pleasant shade?
And I fell to the ground from whence the Tree was made
Suddenly where ‘twas rough bark my beloved appeared
He raised me to my feet and gently wiped my tears
His body strong and straight, His arms opened wide.
A sweet substance as life giving sap flowed form His wounded side
Always I knew that wound was there dug in His heaving breast
Never a creature so longing for love, I considered that lovely crest
Ah the heights of love! I would climb the Living Tree
Of all the trees in the wood He is most beautiful to me
A sweet substance as life giving sap flowed form His wounded side
Always I knew that wound was there dug in His heaving breast
Never a creature so longing for love, I considered that lovely crest
Ah the heights of love! I would climb the Living Tree
Of all the trees in the wood He is most beautiful to me
“My love, My love,” saith Jesus, “she that hath Me My Tree must also know
If ye would hold to Me cling to My tree and never let it go”
And understanding not I obeyed, I touched His kindly face
His hair flowed like a silken steam as I drowned in His embrace
Suddenly I knew… the Apple Tree. How could the cross such pleasure give?
He whispered, “In dying to thee thou findest Me, and only in Me shall ye live.”
If ye would hold to Me cling to My tree and never let it go”
And understanding not I obeyed, I touched His kindly face
His hair flowed like a silken steam as I drowned in His embrace
Suddenly I knew… the Apple Tree. How could the cross such pleasure give?
He whispered, “In dying to thee thou findest Me, and only in Me shall ye live.”
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wow! that's awesome! Did you write it? It's very beautiful! I especially love the last line: In dying to thee thou findest Me, and only in Me shall ye live.
that's awesome! Did you write it? It's very beautiful! I especially love the last line: In dying to thee thou findest Me, and only in Me shall ye live.
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Thanks Ames, Monica!
Yeah the last line is the kicker. That's what I felt when Jesus gave me the poem. This poem is part of the story I have been sharing, "The Knight in Thorn-Briar Forest," which I am going to post more of tonight.
Thanks for the encouragement my sisters! I was happy to find that you had read the poem. What fun would it be if I posted stuff and no one shared with me?
Yeah the last line is the kicker. That's what I felt when Jesus gave me the poem. This poem is part of the story I have been sharing, "The Knight in Thorn-Briar Forest," which I am going to post more of tonight.
Thanks for the encouragement my sisters! I was happy to find that you had read the poem. What fun would it be if I posted stuff and no one shared with me?
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RobinLayne
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How did He heal me?How did He Jesus do it ?
Well, I don't know that the process is completed. It has been gradual, and largely a mystery to me. I have had the help of medication and counseling and inner healing. Over time, I have needed fewer medications and so been more awake more hours and able to do more things. The Lord helped me deal with some painful issues from my past and go through the process of forgiveness against some who have hurt me. No, I don't suppose the process is finished. There are people I'm still not sure I've forgiven. It's harder when you are in no position to contact the people, at least at some stages. I still have to watch for symptoms of my illness, however. For instance, I have been waking up too early in the mornings and not being able to get back to sleep sometimes. My psychiatric nurse warned me that this is THE first sign of a manic cycle, and told me to take Zyprexa, which I have on hand to use "as needed." I praise God for medical people who are wise at finding the right amounts of the right medications, and for counselors and prayer warriors who can help me work through my issues with emotions and other people. He has set things up so that we need one another. And of course most of all, we need Him. His love has been restoring me on a one-on-one basis. Jesus has become my husband, and as my husband and friend, He has been helping me see what a man can be like, soothing the wounds inflicted by males in my past.
I don't know completely how my manic depressive cycle is related to the emotional issues, but I seem to grow more functional over time. People comment that I have really grown and improved; it amazes me sometimes what others see. But to think that I have "arrived" would be dangerous. No person is completely mentally healthy. And that's okay, because my illness, or the threat of it raising its head again, keeps me humble and depending on God and others.
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RobinLayne
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Robin,
You are a blessing. Thanks for sharing your story. You are such a testimony to His grace. I am glad you are a part of my life. I'm sure my sisters agree...
We love you Robin!
You are a blessing. Thanks for sharing your story. You are such a testimony to His grace. I am glad you are a part of my life. I'm sure my sisters agree...
We love you Robin!
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Robin, your faith is so encouraging, that amidst all that you are depending on God and looking on the positive side.. I agree with Kisstheson. God bless you!
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RobinLayne
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When I have my manic episodes, which is when I go crazy, Jesus goes with me. It is different from what others describe of their episodes, not a hell-on-earth. I become more sensitive to spiritual things on both sides of the Kingdom. I keep in mind what Jesus said to me during the first episode, when I didn't know what was going on: "We are going on the greatest spy mission ever. You are going to be under some deception. Some people will even think you are possessed by a demon. But it will all turn out all right and I will be glorified through this."
"The greatest spy mission ever" sounds like a delusion of grandeur, but only if you think of me as the only one who is part of this "mission." I don't believe I am. It was during this episode that Jesus married me. You might say that everyone who has a similar relationship with him is part of this mission--spying out the wonders of knowing Jesus deeply. You might even say that everyone who is spying out the promised land over which we Christians battle is part of this mission. It is both an inward and an outward journey.
As for the part about being possessed--I have done some research on the subject, and my beliefs about the possibilities in this area have changed. It is said that it is possible for a Christian to be "demonized." Some say that it has happened even to saints. It is a serious spiritual battle we are in, but the possibilities that are there in the negative realm are also there in the positive. Those who have to dive to the depths can also rise to the heights. I'm not expressing this very well. But through it all I can say, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Nothing and no one! Halalujah!
And Jesus humbled himself to death on the cross and to hell itself, to be raised above all in glory. My plea was to cling to him, to stay on the bottom with him, to be humble and lift up others. I insisted, "Entreat me not to leave you!" even when I knew being with him would hurt. It hurts because he hurts for those who need him so badly. I don't witness to others much; I am much too timid. But in my heart I cry out for those who do not know Him, or who know Him or claim to but seem distant from Him. It's a subtle form of intercession.
"The greatest spy mission ever" sounds like a delusion of grandeur, but only if you think of me as the only one who is part of this "mission." I don't believe I am. It was during this episode that Jesus married me. You might say that everyone who has a similar relationship with him is part of this mission--spying out the wonders of knowing Jesus deeply. You might even say that everyone who is spying out the promised land over which we Christians battle is part of this mission. It is both an inward and an outward journey.
As for the part about being possessed--I have done some research on the subject, and my beliefs about the possibilities in this area have changed. It is said that it is possible for a Christian to be "demonized." Some say that it has happened even to saints. It is a serious spiritual battle we are in, but the possibilities that are there in the negative realm are also there in the positive. Those who have to dive to the depths can also rise to the heights. I'm not expressing this very well. But through it all I can say, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Nothing and no one! Halalujah!
And Jesus humbled himself to death on the cross and to hell itself, to be raised above all in glory. My plea was to cling to him, to stay on the bottom with him, to be humble and lift up others. I insisted, "Entreat me not to leave you!" even when I knew being with him would hurt. It hurts because he hurts for those who need him so badly. I don't witness to others much; I am much too timid. But in my heart I cry out for those who do not know Him, or who know Him or claim to but seem distant from Him. It's a subtle form of intercession.
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