God of the Fairytale.

I have for many years seen shafts of light in movies, and I do not mean just films like Ben Hur or Jesus of Nazareth, I see the eternal in films like Field of Dreams (my favorite of all time), Minority Report and Toy Story. Over this past week have watched two films that have really blessed me and reminded me of the radical nature of the love of God and how when that love kisses our lives everything changes. On Saturday had a date with the beautiful Allison Leader. We manage to escape our brood every now and again and this was one of those occasions. I had wanted to see the film Snow White and the Huntsman since I had seen it advertised, much to the ridicule of my four boys who thought it just looked like another teen movie. What is wrong with a good teen movie I thought to myself? There was something about a modern retelling of a fairytale that caught my attention. I love a good fairytale, and I think God does too. It turned out to be a great movie, so full of God. Especially the end where true love’s kiss brought an awakening, resurrection, defeat of the enemy and transformation of lives and community. The whole earth was affected by the kiss of the Huntsman. Colour, life, joy, freedom, a new day, a fresh dawn. There is power and so much feeling in the True Love’s Kiss. A couple of nights later was watching a film called the Adjustment Bureau. Had not really heard much about it but my son had got the DVD (obviously not a teen movie then!). I was gripped. Questions about whether life is predestined by a higher power and whether we can ever veer from that path. Walking in freewill. Destiny, do we have a choice. How events have a cause and effect. So much to think about, and loads of good action too. But the end, what changed everything. A kiss! A simple, sloppy snog. When the kiss happened, true love’s kiss, it changed everything, past, present, future. A kiss that transformed. I may be a sloppy spud, as we say in this house, but that has really stirred me this week. Reminded me of paths I have walked and am walking. The power of True Love’s Kiss.

Passion for Jesus.

Song of Solomon 1:2. [ The Banquet ]  The Shulamite  Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— For your  love is better than wine.

But I bow down and kiss the Son. Oh, and I bow down and kiss the Son. (Kevin Prosch)

A huge part of my journey was discovering the passionate relationship that I was a part of. The heavenly love story. I remember reading ‘Passion for Jesus’ by Mike Bickle for the first time and hearing him speak in Sunderland during the refreshing meetings up there, the impact that had deep in my life, my soul, my spirit, my whole being. Reading the Song of Solomon as a love story about His passion for me. His desire of me, His chasing of me, His kisses for me. Hearing songs such as ‘Kiss the Son’ by Kevin Prosch and being awakened by His longing for a love affair with me. For a brick layers son who had experienced very little expression of love in his home (I knew I was loved but never told or physically shown any love during my teen/later years) this was mind blowing and sometimes hard to comprehend, but what revelation. The True Love’s Kiss totally transformed everything. Ruined me, wrecked me, blew me away. I was head over heels in love with Him and more amazingly He was head over heels in love with me. Not because of what I could do or what I could give Him or how gifted I was, but because He just loved me. The danger here is that I can live to love Him for what I get out of it. If I feel His kiss or His presence. If things run smoothly. If He answers my prayer, opens the door, supplies all my needs, provides, heals, sets free. Yet this True Love’s Kiss has won my heart in such a way that it is not about what I can get out of Him anymore. I love Him. I passionately love Him. That kiss has changed everything. Transformed and continues to transform. My perspective of everything is shafted with His light and love. He has won my heart and I am free to be His. My life has experienced resurrection and rebirth. He has wrecked me for just living for me. That passion tinged everything. I love living the fairytale. My Prince, My Huntsman.

Sloppy wet kiss.

He is jealous for me

Loves like a hurricane

I am a tree

Bending beneath

The weight of his wind and mercy

When all of a sudden I am unaware of these

Afflictions eclipsed by glory

And I realize how beautiful you are

And how great your afflictions for me

Oh how he loves us so Oh how he loves us How he loves us so
Yea He loves us Oh how
We are his portion

And he is our prize

Drawn to redemption by the grace in his eyes

If grace is an ocean we’re all sinking

So heaven meats earth like a sloppy wet kiss

And my heart burns violently inside of my chest

I don’t have time to maintain these regrets

When I think about the way He loves us

Oh how he loves us so Oh how he loves us How he loves us so
Yea He loves us Oh how
I thought about you

The day Stephen died

And you met me between my breaking

I know that I still love you God

Despite the agony

See people they want to tell me your cruel

But if Stephen could sing

He’d say its not true

Cause your good

This song by John Mark McMillan expresses the fairytale in such a great way. The sloppy wet kiss and yet the reality of life’s tough times. This is no ‘love is blind’ to all that is going on, yes we are blinded by His love and passion but it helps us see through fresh eyes. We have been won by one and we will never be the same again, and nor will the world that we touch or live in. As I have said a few times lately, transformation of community comes because I am transformed. Because I have changed what I touch changes. This is what True Love’s Kiss has done and will continue to do. Oh He loves us so.

P.S. Over this weekend travelling to Romford, Essex to share with Mick and Christine Smith and friends. Appreciate your prayers as more dots are joined and God’s heart is released. Already sensing some significance in this connection. As I have been stacking those shelves God has been whispering some stuff to share. Looking forward…